In recognition of International Women's Day 2021 and this year’s campaign #ChooseToChallenge, we spoke to women owners of DSD Clinics around the world to hear how they are redefining stereotypes and working towards more representative leadership across dentistry in their work.

We asked these inspirational business owners two pertinent questions about being a dentist and how they #ChooseToChallenge gender equality in their profession.

1. Knowing what you know now, what are three things you would tell your younger self as a newly graduated dentist?

1 - “Innately women often see themselves as less important or deserving. My advice would be.... get noticed. Actively seek advice and knowledge, be gracious and humble and reach out to mentors, and have a thirst for learning. 

We often hesitate, thinking we’ll be turned away – others will be too busy, or we’ll be seen as a nuisance. When we find the courage to ask, good people nearly always say 'yes', and those that say 'no' will have good reasons.

These mentor interactions will accelerate your career and open doors in ways that you couldn't have imagined, especially if you are driven by clinical excellence and ethics.

2 - Women have such strong caregiver tendencies and this extends throughout life. We're often juggling babies whilst opening offices; children leave home, we have a window of liberation and suddenly parents become dependents.

Balancing family life and professional development at the pace you might like can seem frustrating and time may stand still. Remember that for women, these phases are like seasons – the season will change and the time will be right to attend a course, go to an international meeting, acquire post-grad qualifications or build a new office. Your time will come and this will continue throughout life. The seasons always change.

3 - Be bold and exploratory, embrace the amazing opportunities this industry has to offer. Become highly skilled, invest in technology, find a tribe that espouses evidence, quality and future mindedness, learn to speak publicly and share your skill

I became a DSD Clinic owner for that very reason – a group of vibrant and creative individuals, many of whom are supremely talented women dentists who inspire me every day.”

- Dr Andrea Shepperson, New Zealand

"I became a DSD Clinic owner for that very reason – a group of vibrant and creative individuals, many of whom are supremely talented women dentists who inspire me every day."

”Work hard, enjoy yourself, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone.”

- Dr Galina Razbash, Australia

“1. The system favours patriarchy, but stand fast and do not be intimidated.

 2. Learn how to place implants earlier in your career – women can do surgery, too!

 3. Communication skills and empathy are not ’soft’ skills. They are the skills that will build trust and lead to increased case acceptance. Keep working and reading and learning!”

- Dr Elaine Halley, Scotland

Dr Elaine Halley, DSD Clinic owner | Dr Tatiana Coachman, DSD Clinical Excellence Manager | Dr Karla Soto, DSD Clinic owner

“I would tell my younger self to believe in your dream and take on any opportunity that will let you get there without any hesitation. Choose your people and don’t ever lose your vision of how it should be.”

- Dr Saghi Helmi, The Netherlands

“I wish I would have known how much more there is to learn and that there are so many different options in how you do dental work. To not be afraid to start new procedures and not having to stick to one specialty. As a dentist you don’t have to stick with one niche.”

- Dr Oleysa Salathe, USA

“A lot of what you are taught at university works well, but there are a lot of things that you don’t get taught - and you have to learn them by yourself. More than 70% of the key to success are your interpersonal skills; you need to be a good storyteller, a good listener and you need to be genuine. Listen, listen and listen to your patients.”

- Dr Kathrin Trelles, Dubai

“Never stop learning with an open mind. Even when you are afraid, try anyway with the patients best interest in mind. Listen to the dentists who have accomplished what you would like to accomplish. They will always share their knowledge.”

- Dr Sheena Sood, Canada

“My advice to my younger self would be this:

1. Invest in myself whether it's high quality dental CE, or personal growth, or business skills or ALL of the above very early on. Even looking at myself as a brand and how I want that brand to look or to represent. The best investment is in ourselves, so just do it. It's going to pay ten fold down the road and I wish I had done all that in dental school.

"The best investment is in ourselves,
so just do it."

2. Get a mentor or a coach that is going to help you achieve your goals sooner than later. The mentor/coach has done and achieved what you have dreamed of, so why not listen to their advice and shorten the time to achieve greatness.

3. Don't be so hard on yourself, since life is a journey, not a destination. Stop and smell the roses. Celebrate your success before hitting another goal, or check off another on your list. Therefore don't just set goals for your professional life, set goals for your personal life and family life, too. It will make you a much better dentist when you have a grounded, balanced and healthy life inside and outside the practice. 

It’s my honor to be a part of the International Women’s Day celebration with the DSD family.”

- Dr Katie To, USA

“Have an open mind, an open heart and always learn to pursue your passion. Treat others as you would want to be treated. Surround yourself with peers who share your passion, for it is in sharing knowledge that you will learn and better yourself.

Happy International Women's day!”

- Dr Ai-Phuong Pham, USA

2. This year’s International Women’s Day slogan is #ChooseToChallenge. As a woman dentist, how do you feel you challenge stereotypes in the dentistry industry?

“I've never taken a back seat in life. That also means not tolerating any kind of opportunity or suppression of my voice based around gender. My love of learning, and ability to network globally, has allowed me to develop my skills as an educator, finding a network of great thinkers and communicators and a place on a global podium that is still very short of women presenters.

It's also put me in leadership roles across the industry. It has been nice to have that voice, to represent women in dentistry. I come from a small country at the bottom of the world where women leaders have made their mark. I'd like to think young women dentists can see that anything is possible wherever you are in the world.”

- Dr Andrea Shepperson, New Zealand

Dr Peggy Bown, DSD Clinic Owner | Dr Andrea Shepperson, DSD Clinic Owner | Dr Niusha Barahmand Pour, DSD Master

“Female dentists have historically been seen as more passive, less business-oriented and less career-driven than men. This is what we definitely see changing, as more women dentists become clinic owners, including DSD, take on more interesting and more challenging roles, getting involved with implants and full mouth rehabilitation cases, and becoming mentors.

For me, implementing DSD protocols and becoming a DSD Clinic required rising up to the challenges of the new technologies and stepping out of my comfort zone as a clinician with 20+ years’ experience.”

- Dr Galina Razbash, Australia

“At various points in my career I have chosen to challenge why there are not more women dentists involved in education.

Often there is an audience at a conference with at least 50% women, and the speakers are 100% male. I do not believe that this is a fair representation and I believe that educators should make sure that there is diversity in their speaker panels in order to avoid unintended bias and to leave audience members feeling that they are not reflected amongst the thought leaders.

"I believe that educators should make sure that there is diversity in their speaker panels."

I believe that the majority need to recognise that the presence of the minority is important in order for there to be any real change. It is impossible for the minority to redress the balance by themselves.

In my younger years I found myself often speaking up in an all male environment, because I had something to say. Using my voice where it matters and showing up at the table even when it was uncomfortable – is how I have tried to challenge stereotypes in dentistry.”

- Dr Elaine Halley, Scotland

“As a female dentist I #ChooseToChallenge the dental companies, who sponsor male colleagues and take their goals more seriously, to open their eyes to women who are at the top of their game.

You won’t believe the obstacles which I had to fight through to set up my DSD Clinic.

In the end, no local dental business believed or wanted to believe my goals. I am witnessing actual support to male dentists who are way behind what I offer my patients being put in the spotlight by the dental organizations and companies. As women, we still need to ‘prove’ ourselves to the outside world whereas the ‘proof’ is standing right in front of them.

I love DSD where we live in an equal culture.”

- Dr Saghi Helmi, The Netherlands

“You can’t be a mom and dental business owner – not true! Women dentists aren’t as respected as their male colleagues and I’ve learned to stand my ground and be assertive, lead through educating and feel like the nurturing side of women can create not only an amazing patient experience, but employee experience as well.”

- Dr Oleysa Salathe, USA

“I #ChooseToChallenge expanding beyond society's expectations.”

- Dr Sheena Sood, Canada

Dr Jacqueline Schneider, DSD KOL | Dr Sheena Sood, DSD Clinic owner | Tanya Pashko, DSD Clinic Patient Coordinator

“Being a clinic owner, public speaker, clinical instructor and practice coach, I have seen way more male presence in the arenas and it was the norm.

Women dentists face many challenges and life events like pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood, and we tend to focus on our career later in life. This has changed significantly over the last decade.

With more than half of graduating classes in all US dental schools being female, the demand and desire for female speakers, instructors, coaches has risen as well. We have shown that female dentists can do it all and do it well with the help of advanced technology, smart practice and the dream team.”

- Dr Katie To, USA

"We have shown that female dentists can do it all and do it well with the help of advanced technology, smart practice and the dream team."

“As an Asian American female dentist, establishing myself and reputation in a less than diverse community the past decade has come with many challenges. I faced those challenges with compassion, integrity, passion, devotion and sincere human connections. Patients do not care how much I know until they know how much I care.”

- Dr Ai-Phuong Pham, USA

"As a mother of four, it is a challenge to balance a career, a full-time business with 45 employees, with family life. It takes a lot of determination, patience and focus.

It’s hard for women to make a career in this industry that was previously very male dominated. But I believe we have carved out a respectable place for ourselves and I salute all the women who have joined me in doing this."

- Dr Kathrin Trelles, Dubai

Make sure you’re following us on social media to see our full International Women’s Day campaign:

• Instagram
• Facebook
• Linkedin

Or take a look back at last year’s IWD campaign, where we celebrated DSD’s powerful female workforce and network during the campaign #EachForEqual.