'lady dentist'

Do people really not use women’s professional titles? That’s baffling and shocking. I’m constantly amazed. I keep realising afresh how refreshingly un-sexist my upbringing was, I wouldn’t dream of this and would challenge anyone who failed to use a woman’s title. Outrageous.

I'm a dentist and I used to work in a husband and wife dental practice.

If patients wanted the male dentist they usually asked for Dr Dentist and the female Mrs Dentist- used to drive her (and the receptionist, who would politely point out that they were both Dr Dentist) nuts.

I'd send a letter back headed "Dear ManWriter".

Bowlofbabel yes true at a conference I would expect consistency and formality in the introductions and the fact that doesn't happen is quite telling.

by the same token women even feminists are a part of society and many of us might fall into these traps without even realising it.

Southfields that is an interesting point and a good one.

Feminists live in society and so absorb and reflect these things as much as anyone else.

I have only ever heard Germaine Greer referred to as Germaine Greer - I didn't even know she was a Dr!

Are there any equivalent examples of men where they are or aren't called by their title? I can only think of "Dr David Bull" right now!

David Attenborough - is he a dr? Is he a sir in fact?

Having trouble thinking of men on the telly who are germaine greer equivalents! (Note - not david attenborough he's a bit more widely known!).

What about Tom Jones... That bloke out of Queen has a PHD in astronomy doesn't he, he's always just called um, you know the bloke with the curly hair.

Maybe it's to do with fame? If people are famous enough they become firstname surname irrespective of titles?

Anyway - interesting point for sure.

Feminists are just as bad as anyone at degrading these women with PhDs.

Are we? I’ve never introduced any of them personally but if I did I’d use their titles. I’d imagine very few people on here have met and introduced them either.

We are talking about introducing people formally at conferences and academic meetings not ‘well according to this paper by smith, jones and bigglesworth we see that...’ statements.

Judas if that were the case, she would be Lady Jones, the dentist. Not a lady dentist.

Dr Greer is always called Ms Greer or Germaine Greer.

Professor Jeffreys, or Dr Jeffreys is always called Ms Jeffreys or Sheila Jeffreys.

Dr Lucas is always called Ms Lucas or Caroline Lucas.

Feminists are just as bad as anyone at degrading these women with PhDs.

Research done at medical conferences showed that women’s professional titles were used 49% of the time while mens were used 72% of the time (based on 300 introductions)

I can confirm this from my own experiences. I am VERY rarely introduced as Dr. Babelfish whereas men with phds and MDs are ALWAYS introduced by title.

Except in Germany and Austria where people are horrified if you don’t introduce each other by title

Well you don’t want to look silly OP so, before you kick off, just check she’s not actually married to a Lord.

I read that article it was really interesting.

IIRC they looked at conferences and seminars and noted that the men were usually introduced as "Dr such and such" and the women first name.

I can't regurgitate the conclusions as the author expressed them, but it was related to unconscious stuff around authority and respect.

My vagina dentata is probably due a check-up.

In terms of sn email - humour is the way forward and see address to the male headteacher

Well as the office lady or 'lady in the office' or Mrs Office Lady (as I am called several times a day) typed it up she probably didn't notice how stupid it sounds. Or maybe it was a trans woman dentist and the head wanted go make sure she wasn't misgenderd

I’d be tempted to ask to to address her as while you’ve had several female dentists you’ve never met one who is a Laydee before ..

I have never heard anyone refer to a "gentlemen dentist"

Like the way everyone is ignoring the silly question

Man who has it all

So when a male dentist visits they also specifically say that it’s a man dentist that’s visiting ?

Thought not.

www.facebook.com/MANWHOHASITALL/

Eat repeat are you at least a vicar?Otherwise it's just odd

Haha yes I am!

They could easily have said "the dentist, Miss Smith, will be visiting..." or whatever. "Lady dentist" is ridiculous, old fashioned and makes a distinction that doesn't need to be there based on the assumption that by default dentists are men.

They're probably just giving that information as some of the children might be worried and it helps them build a picture of the person. Why does it bother you?