The company is highlighting its commitment to advancing women’s interests in the dental and oral health sector through a host of programs and events in 2019 and 2020. 

Dentsply Sirona is highlighting its commitment to advancing women’s interests in the dental and oral health sector, as the world marks International Women’s Day. 

“We want to empower all women in dentistry by supporting their professional development and recognizing their outstanding achievements in research and development, entrepreneurship, mentorship, and education,” says Dr Terri Dolan, chief clinical officer and vice president at Dentsply Sirona. “As part of our mission, we support several programs for the advancement of women dentists, hygienists, and technicians within the dental industry.” 

Examples of programs and events supported by Dentsply Sirona in 2019 and 2020 include the Smart Integration Award, Women in Science Network Awards, the ADEA International Women’s Leadership Conference, Women in Dentistry (WID) Breakfast, and Annual GNYDM Women Dentists’ Leadership Conference. 

The Smart Integration Award celebrates women’s expertise in dentistry by recognizing their innovative ideas and successful and visionary treatment concepts that elevate networked treatment centers to the next level. In November 2019, the awards ceremony was hosted for the first time by Dentsply Sirona as part of the company’s commitment to integrate women’s expertise more closely into the development of new products. In total, 24 winners were honored for their creative ideas and impressive success stories that make work processes at treatment centers more efficient and convenient.

As part of the company’s commitment to research and innovation to empower dental professionals all over the world to provide millions of patients with better dental care and make people smile, Dentsply Sirona is a proud sponsor of two International Association for Dental Research (IADR) Women in Science Awards. The Distinguished Female Mentor award recognizes female researchers who have made a significant impact on the careers of fellow female researchers through their role as a mentor. The Award for Distinguished Research recognizes female scientists for outstanding accomplishments in oral, dental, or craniofacial research. Dentsply Sirona is honored in 2020 to sponsor these awards for a second year.

In 2019, the company co-sponsored the 6th International Women’s Leadership Conference in Brescia, Italy, hosted by the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). Promoting female leadership within the health sector, the conference brought together 120 women from 23 countries to tell their stories and share knowledge.

Dentsply Sirona co-sponsors the annual WID Breakfast hosted each year by the AEGIS Dental Network and other industry partners. With 130 participants, the event aims to raise industry leaders’ awareness of women in dentistry, as well as highlight their roles as speakers at conferences and other industry events. Initially focused on the laboratory side of the business, the breakfast has expanded over the years to include women from all areas of dentistry and oral healthcare.

Dolan was invited to speak at the 1st Women Dentists Leadership Conference at the Greater New York Dental Meeting (GNYDM) on December 1, 2019. The meeting was created to empower and mentor current and future women dentists. Dolan enjoys sharing her experience and inspiring career in dental research and education, having served as professor and dean of the University of Florida College of Dentistry for more than a decade before joining Dentsply Sirona. Recognized for her advocacy of diversity and support for women in dentistry, she inspired conference attendees with her presentation on mentorship, leading by example and mentoring others. She had the opportunity to share stories about the people who inspired and mentored her throughout her career.

In October 2019, Dolan’s accomplishments in clinical education were honored with the Dr Edward B. Shils Innovator Award for Excellence in Industry. As the leader of Dentsply Sirona’s Clinical Affairs team, Dolan is the driving force behind the conceptualization and implementation of the company’s global clinical education program. In 2019, the program reached more than 470,000 dental professionals from 99 countries. The Clinical Affairs team also focuses on the development of new products and solutions designed to empower dentists, technicians and dental team members to provide the best possible care to their patients.