Laura Kelly is the first woman president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. Dental Economics interviewed her in the November issue, and Kelly related that the AACD, "…continues to see more women joining." ADA statistics in "The Gender Shift" show that in 2003, "new" active practitioners were 35% female, up from 17% for "established" female practitioners. In addition, the study showed that 2/3 of male dentists are 45 years old or older, while 2/3 of female dentists are younger than 45. A 2004 study in the Journal of Dental Education states, "While women represent less than 10 percent of the practicing dental population, the dramatic increase in dental school enrollment by women will be reflected in a much larger percentage of female dental practitioners in the near future." The number of females graduating from dental school continues to increase, so the trend should continue.
Not surprisingly, there are many female pedodontists – women tend to have a gentle touch, especially with children. What else makes women good dentists? They know their audience. Because most of the decision making about dental care is done by women for their families, female dentists have the benefit of empathy on their side.
Focusing on gender can segregate and create tension, so Kelly says in the DE article, "My personal belief is that regardless of the gender, it’s really your commitment to continuing education, developing your technical and communication skills, and pursuing cosmetic dentistry with passion that can add to your personal and professional success."
The most well-known dental association for women in the AAWD – American Association of Women Dentists. This organization provides mentors, scholarships, and networking opportunities, among many other benefits.