Women Pioneering Change in Dentistry

September 15, 2025

Female Specialists Reflect on Their Path to Achievement

Navigating a male-dominated surgical residency, Elizabeth Carter, D.D.S., often found herself feeling like an outsider. Despite forming good relationships with her male peers, she was frequently excluded from informal group communications, leaving her to forge her own path.

“It’s all too easy to feel disconnected,” Dr. Carter explained. “Through challenges and setbacks, I came to understand how vital a supportive network is to professional success.”

Residency is an intense phase of professional training, marked by relentless demands that often sideline essentials like rest and personal relationships, Dr. Carter noted. This underscores the critical need to build strong connections within one’s residency program to thrive under such pressure.

Having completed her periodontal and implant surgery residency at Texas A&M University School of Dentistry in 2019, Dr. Carter is not alone in experiencing a sense of isolation during this formative period.

“Many residents, particularly in surgical fields like periodontics and oral surgery, describe feeling alone in their struggles,” she said. “Residency is a crucible that forges resilience and clarity of purpose, shaping who you become as a clinician.”

For Dr. Carter, this clarity of purpose was amplified through her participation in a surgical leadership program at Harvard Medical School. There, she connected with over 100 surgeons, including a significant number of women, who shared their experiences from residency and clinical practice.

“We built a community grounded in mutual empowerment,” Dr. Carter shared. “Our goal is to foster collaboration among surgical specialists, creating mentorship networks that drive meaningful progress.”

Dr. Carter’s practice partner, Michael T. Reynolds, D.D.S., M.D., an oral and maxillofacial surgeon, shares her commitment to collaborative excellence, emphasizing teamwork as a cornerstone of their practice philosophy.

Trends in Dental Education and Workforce

Data from the ADA Health Policy Institute highlights a steady rise in female dental school graduates, with women making up 54.5% of graduates in 2023, up from 47.2% a decade earlier in 2013. However, advanced dental programs show disparities. In 2021–22, women comprised 47% of periodontics residents but only 20.3% of oral and maxillofacial surgery residents.

Anika Patel, D.D.S., understands the challenges of being one of the few women in a predominantly male specialty. Pursuing oral and maxillofacial surgery, she faced discouragement early on.

“During dental school, I was told by peers that I shouldn’t even apply to surgical residencies,” Dr. Patel recounted. “Even after residency, I’ve heard remarks questioning whether women belong in surgical specialties.”

Dr. Patel, who trained at the University of Washington in Seattle, credits her supportive residency cohort, which included many accomplished female mentors, for helping her persevere.

“While dental school classes were historically male-dominated, we’re now seeing a more balanced gender ratio,” she noted. “Surgical specialties like oral surgery are slower to reflect this shift, but efforts are underway to promote inclusivity and narrow the gender gap.”

The dental workforce also reflects a gender disparity. In 2023, women accounted for 37.7% of practicing dentists, a notable increase from 24.1% in 2010, according to the ADA Health Policy Institute. Dr. Carter, now a practicing periodontist, often feels this gap in her multi-specialty practice, where she is frequently the only female provider. She notes that building referral networks can be uniquely challenging for young female surgeons.

“These are hurdles that male colleagues may not encounter, and they extend into professional networking,” Dr. Carter explained.

Fostering Change for Future Generations

Despite these challenges, Dr. Patel remains optimistic about progress. To encourage more women to pursue dental specialties, she advocates for expanded mentorship programs and greater visibility of female leaders in the field.

“It’s about representation,” Dr. Patel emphasized. “When dental students see women excelling in specialties, it inspires confidence. We can lead fulfilling careers, balance personal aspirations like family, and make significant contributions to our profession.”

Conclusion

The experiences of Dr. Carter and Dr. Patel highlight the evolving landscape of dentistry, where women are increasingly breaking barriers in education, residency, and practice. By fostering mentorship, building collaborative networks, and promoting visibility, female specialists are paving the way for a more inclusive future. Their efforts not only benefit clinicians by creating supportive environments but also enhance patient care through diverse perspectives, ensuring dentistry continues to advance as a dynamic and equitable field.

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