Today, more and more students in dentistry are women. With its pioneering programs for female dentists, Dentsply Sirona aims to build leadership capabilities, accelerate career development and provide camaraderie among like-minded professionals.

Each day, the 15,000 employees of Dentsply Sirona work to make a positive impact on dentistry. One of the ways that they do this is by developing and hosting clinical education courses around the world. These courses and trainings create unique opportunities for the Company and its employees to interact with customers and in turn provide valuable insight into trends, challenges and the needs of dental professionals.

One of the most important trends in dentistry is that an increasing number of women are becoming dentists. Currently 46 percent of dentists in the European Union are women, and by 2020 projections show that a majority of dentists there will be female. In Brazil, already 56 percent of dentists are women. Employees that were part of Dentsply Sirona’s Women Inspired Network analyzed the specific needs of women in dentistry. They found three areas in which women’s needs differ from their male colleagues: education, product customization, and services that don‘t directly relate to product offerings. For example, women would like specific support in networking as well as training related to opening or growing their practice. In regard to developing products, women have specific anatomical needs that should be considered.

Under the banner of Women in Dentistry, Dentsply Sirona launched a series of training sessions specifically for women. In November 2017 twelve female dentists from nine countries participated in the first intensive, weeklong program in Bensheim focusing on integrated solutions from the Company. Feedback from participants at that initial event was very positive and being among women really made a difference in the atmosphere. Dr. Dorotea Gindy, a dentist from Cairo, Egypt made the point that, “Learning here among women was a completely different experience. The openness and casual atmosphere among the women made this training event something very special.”

EPIC Women’s Dental Meeting

In 2018, Dentsply Sirona launched the very first EPIC Women’s Dental Meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina. EPIC stands for Educate, Practice, Innovate and Connect. The purpose behind the meeting is to bring together female practitioners from all over the United States for two days of education centered on CEREC. It’s also a chance for networking to build a community of women in dentistry.

Women in Dental Technology (WIDT) Breakfast

At the 2019 Chicago Dental Society’s Midwinter Meeting in February, Dentsply Sirona sponsored the seventh annual Women in Dental Technology (WIDT) Breakfast. This year’s breakfast had 80 participants including many sought-after female industry leaders. The event raises awareness of women’s roles as speakers at conferences and other industry events and provides an opportunity for colleagues to expand their networks.