What started as a society to bring female dentists together has grown into an important and influential West Australian society. New President, Dr Amanda Phoon Nguyen, shares the society’s story and its future plans.
Women in Dentistry was established in 2014 by prosthodontist Dr Janice Kan, with the aim of promoting mentorship and collegiality amongst female dental practitioners in WA, via regular social and educational events.
In recent years, Women in Dentistry has becoming increasingly focused on its Healing Smiles program, which provides pro bono dental work to female victims of domestic and family violence. With funding of Healing Smiles now managed by ADAWA’s Uniting Smiles charity, the program will be able to help more women than ever before.
New Women in Dentistry President, Dr Amanda Phoon Nguyen, looks forward to helping more people in the community through Healing Smiles. She also plans on organising more of the events that were such a big part of Women in Dentistry’s original purpose.
“We want to bring back a lot of the social events,” Amanda says. “Personally, that is what I always enjoyed. The current committee includes Vice President Nandika Manchanda, Secretary Lalima Tiwari, Past President Jacinta Vu as well as Serene Ong, Suanne Lam and Shanash Bishnulall.
“We hope to do what the past committees did very well and what people tell us they want – creating a safe social space, and organising informative events with speakers beyond dentistry, such as at Women in Dentistry’s End of Year AGM and breakfast where we had a paediatrician come to speak to us about COVID FAQs.
“It’s important to note that although the society is called Women in Dentistry and obviously the focus is on female dentists, we’re not anti-men at all, and men are very welcome to come to our events,” she adds. “It’s all about building community.”
Previously, Amanda’s involvement with Women in Dentistry focused on attending the social events, but she realises the support the society provides is also very important.
“It was the social aspect that I liked; it was wonderful to get to know other dentists, but then it was clear how important it was for practitioners to have support. I think Women in Dentistry fills this unique space.
“Sometimes, there are questions that you are more comfortable asking someone who has been there. For example, when to tell your boss that you’re pregnant. Or women who have come from interstate and want to know about mother’s groups or schools for their children. Many people have these life questions, in addition to being a practice owner or associate, that they want to discuss with people who understand. Having experienced issues in the past myself, I realised these feelings weren’t uncommon amongst dentists, which is why I am so passionate about this space in the WA dental community.
“It’s also nice how Women in Dentistry is tied to the female pioneers, like Sally Joyston-Bechal, Jenny Ball, Meredith Arcus and Bernadette Pilkington – all of these wonderful ladies who I don’t think I would have heard about or got to know as well if I had not attended these events.”
Amanda adds she would like there to be more synergy between Women in Dentistry and ADAWA to mutually support dentists coming back from maternity leave, for example.
She would also like to see the introduction of a Women in Dentistry award for dental students in the future.
“I know UWA has a Sally Joyston-Bechal award (the Sally Joyston-Bechal Study Group Prize), and I would like to see if there could be one specially for female dentists who show leadership,” she says.
“Females are far more likely to undersell themselves and that is something I would very much like to change.”
As the new President, Amanda brings a wealth of experience to the role, through her involvement with many professional committees, and the time she dedicates to many community volunteer causes and online oral medicine educational/special interest groups.
As someone with so much on her plate, she is a great person to share advice on how other practitioners can find balance, although she says her idea of balance is not perfect.
“Do the things that you enjoy and that you want to do,” she says. “Sometimes I think people, not just women but all people, struggle with saying no. If you take on something that you are not passionate about, it is always going to be an uphill battle.
“For me, I do not say yes to all the committees I get asked to be on, although I wish I could. It is also important to know our limits,” she adds. “Do not feel bad saying no or feel like you are missing out. The roles and the positions that are meant to be yours, will always be there if it was meant to be.”
Amanda encourages all female practitioners to join Women in Dentistry.
“We are a friendly and supportive group,” she says. “Dentistry, motherhood and life in general is hard enough, so having that support and community is so important. I feel energised when I go to Women in Dentistry events and there is something special about being part of a community or group that vibes with you. Please join us!”
To join the Women in Dentistry Facebook Group, visit: facebook.com/groups/549756442583431
Or keep an eye on the website for event details, womenindentistry.net
IMAGE: Suanne Lam, Shanash Bishnulall, Serene Ong, Jacinta Vu, Nanika Manchanda, Amanda Phoon Nguyen and Lalima Tiwari.
Advertising opportunities are available in the Western Articulator, on the website and across social media.
Contact Shaden on 0452 426 533 or Shaden.Kanaan@adawa.com.au
We welcome clinical articles and good news stories for the Western Articulator and social media.
