Overcoming barriers as a woman in dentistry

Aneka Khaira shares her experiences of being a woman in dentistry and owning her own practice, and offers advice for other young women in the profession.

Dentistry is a profession that has traditionally been dominated by men; however, this landscape is rapidly changing, shifting to a gender diverse workforce.

In the UK, data from 2013 to 2021 shows an increase in the number of female dentists registered in the UK (Hellyer, 2023). While the trend is undoubtedly encouraging, it is essential to continue to raise awareness of the silent barriers that create challenges for women entering the dental sector.

A-dec is a strong advocate for women in dentistry, which is why the team is always proud to showcase some of the best and brightest female dentists the UK has to offer, such as Aneka, who built the amazing practice of Vogue Dental.

When did you first have your passion for dentistry?

I studied dentistry at the University of Birmingham, then a degree in orthodontics at the University of Warwick. Believe it or not, the passion for dentistry started at the age of nine. My mother often recites the story of when I wrote a letter to our local dentist asking how I could become a dentist and if I could work in the office.

Many years later, I completed four weeks of work experience in a dental practice, which gave me an insight into the sector. This experience served to strengthen my passion for the patient-centered nature of dentistry and the importance of building a relationship with my patients. Dentistry combines science and art, which were two areas I have always excelled at, so I knew this was the career for me. I have an aesthetic eye, so cosmetic dentistry was a natural fit.

Have you faced any obstacles on your journey to becoming a cosmetic dentist?

Like many other industries, dentistry can be very cut-throat with a surprising amount of competition. I think practicing in a country with no shortage of oral care professionals is a wonderful thing! I think we should celebrate each other’s successes and promote an ecosystem where dentists can learn from each other. This will not only improve the quality of care provided to patients, but will also help the next generation of dentists looking to start a career for themselves.

Other barriers included the fact that dentistry can be a very family-oriented business. I didn’t come from the dental profession, so I thought it would be more difficult to succeed, not to mention the fact that my specialty is cosmetic dentistry.

As with most industries, you’ll find that many people don’t take you as seriously as a female dentist. Being underestimated was disappointing, but being so determined and driven, I couldn’t let that be the reason I didn’t achieve my life’s goal of being a trusted surgeon. Instead, I overcame these obstacles by making sure to continually develop my skills with the best training available and the invaluable support of my incredible peers and community.

Do you have any advice for young women pursuing a dental career?

I would say never let self-doubt get in the way of achieving your goals and choose a line of dentistry that resonates with you personally. I think this is the cheat code to achieve success!

Additionally, if you can, try to gain work experience, as this will help improve your long-term career goals. I worked as a dental nurse part-time while studying at university, which really improved my clinical dentistry and made the transition from dental student to fellowship much easier.

I wish every woman pursuing a career in dentistry the best of luck and I look forward to seeing the impact they will have on the sector.

A-dec believes that gender diversity and inclusion are critical to the success of any healthcare sector and recognizes the distinct challenges women face in dentistry. By shining a light on the monumental successes of women like Aneka, we can continue to change the narrative when it comes to women healthcare professionals.

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