This is an exciting time to be an orthodontist. It’s an even more exciting time to be a woman in dentistry. I attended a conference in Park City, Utah this weekend titled, Women In Dentistry. It was a gathering of women dentists from all over the country. As we stood to introduce ourselves during one of the sessions, we shared some personal and professional goals, including, taking on more leadership roles, providing greater access to dental care, and seeking to both gain, and provide for others, a sense of empowerment.
The speakers were of both national and international renown:
Dr. Gordon Christensen, Founder and Director, Practical Clinical Courses
Dr. Rella Christensen, Team Leader, Technologies in Restoratives and Caries Research
Dr. Sheri Doniger, former President, American Association of Women Dentists
Dr. Carol Gomez Summerhays, President, American Dental Association
Dr. Desire Walker, Featured Athlete, American Ninja Warrior
Ren Johnson, CEC, Power Zone Coaching
Julie Charlestein, President and CEO, Premier Dental
The topics covered included current research and advances in dental products and technologies, both the current state and the future of the profession of dentistry (the future’s so bright, we’ll have to wear shades), how to take advantage of what a valuable resource organized dentistry, such as the American Dental Association, can be, and how to be a leader both in life and in practice.
As the number of women dentists and dental students grows, more focus is being given to what makes the way we practice as women unique, and how our professional associations can aid us in being the best practitioners that we can be. This meeting is just one example. I am looking forward to similar sessions being held at the Northeast Society of Orthodontists Meeting in September 2016 and another at the Yankee Dental Congress in January 2017, as well continuing to attend the annual Women in Dentistry meeting.
On a local level, I am proud to be the founding member of a women’s dental study group, Women Helping Women, which boasts the participation of women practicing  both general and specialty dentistry. It is composed of a fantastic group of women who come together monthly to learn from and support one another. It really doesn’t get much better than that!
Are you interested in a future in the dental profession? Contact me! I would be happy to try to answer any questions you might have.