“I remember when I was in dental school or even before going into dental school, in my mind I could do it all,” Dr. McGuire said. “I’m still the same kid who doesn’t see a barrier of being a female versus a male. You’re a doctor. I don’t see a barrier because of age. I don’t see a barrier because I’m mixed-race compared to a Caucasian or an African-American. I don’t see any of that. The biggest thing is not having those barriers in your own head.”

Dr. McGuire, who practices at Stonecreek Dental Care in Kettering shared her thoughts as part of a Women in Dentistry (WinD) panel with three other North American Dental Group (NADG) supported female clinical leaders. The virtual event – Challenges, Opportunities, and Growth Within Leadership Roles – was held in late March and capped NADG’s celebration of Women’s History Month. WinD is an initiative started by NADG in 2019 to empower women in dentistry and advocate for equity.

Dr. McGuire was joined by Dr. Anna Warnock, of Complete Dental Care in Shadyside, OH and Dr. Mary Ann Hollis, of Grove Dental Associates in Lombard, IL as panelists. The event was moderated by Dr. Farah Kar, an orthodontist at Braces Braces in Atlanta, GA, who shared her own insights for an audience that included doctors, hygienists, and dental students. The women covered a variety of topics during their discussion from what advice they would give to young women considering careers in dentistry to how best to balance work and raising a family.

The comments from the women come amid a developing crossover in dentistry.

While the profession is still dominated by males, the number of licensed female dentists has steadily risen over the past two decades and is currently at an all-time high. Last year, 35-percent of the 201,000 dentists in the United States were female, according to the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute (HPI). Compare that to 16-percent in 2001.

“It is amazing when you look at a timeline and you look at the last 5, 10, 15, 20 years and how suddenly there’s been such a huge change,” said Dr. Kar. “Obviously, we need more change, but it has been amazing to watch.”

And there is reason to expect that there will be more change with data revealing the majority of students in the pipeline to become dentists are women. In 2020, nearly 52-percent of pre-doctoral dental students in the U.S. were women and about 51-percent of the class of 2019 dental graduates were women, according to HPI.

As the number of female dentists increases, so too does their voice in shaping the future of dentistry and role as leaders in dental service organizations (DSO). Dr. McGuire and Dr. Warnock are both NADG partners and regional dental directors. Dr. Hollis is an NADG partner and dental director for her group in the Chicago-area. And Dr. Kar is an NADG partner. NADG’s non-clinical executive team also features two women leaders – Chief Marketing & Advertising Officer Teresa Hammond and Chief Operating Officer Kristen Kerns.

Dr. Hollis believes women approach dentistry differently than men and encourages future female dentists to not shy away from their instincts.

“I think we are very relationship oriented. I’m not saying we care more (than men) but we get more involved with our patients and we get to know them, we get to know their families, and we get to know what they want,” said Dr. Hollis. “I think sometimes people are hesitant and would think we don’t want to know. But that’s the most exciting part of dentistry for me, knowing my patients.”

Dr. Warnock says another benefit of the profession are the flexible hours that supports time away from work to raise a family.

“We do have the luxury of being in a profession where there is the ability to have balance. And when we get out of balance, more often than not it is self-inflicted,” Dr. Warnock said. “We put that pressure on ourselves. All of these things are jumbling in your head and let’s face it, as a new mom you are exhausted.”

Her advice.

“Enjoy the journey. Rest when you need it. Give yourself a break. Don’t expect too much from yourself. And take the help,” Dr. Warnock said.

Dr. Kar adds that if you wish to see improvement in the office or at home, be the change you want to see.

“It’s modeling. If you want to be a compassionate person then you need to model that,” Dr. Kar said. “If you want to be someone who is approachable and relatable, and you want your staff to be loving and caring then you need to model that.”

Watch the discussion here.

What Inspires You? When Did You Know That You Wanted to Pursue A Career In Dentistry? What Is Rewarding About Your Career?

As I walk down the hallway with my young patient to our ‘treasure chest’ of goodies, I smile to myself. That was me at 5 years old, seeing Dr. Bob as his little patient. The very same letters still hang over my head, “Grove Dental.” Back then, the walls were covered in a wallpaper with a palette of avocado green, maize yellow and burnt orange of yesteryear. I have fond memories of going to the dentist as a child but would have never imagined becoming a pediatric dentist at the very place where I was a patient.

My Chicago roots kept me here. I attended college at the University of Chicago and received my dental education at the University of Illinois at Chicago. When I was ready to be a pediatric dentist, joining Grove felt like the best fit. And after more than 17 phenomenal years, I am still here. Grove has served the Chicagoland community for over 50 years and is unique in that it was at the forefront of the multi-specialty, multi-location dental practice model. Grove’s origins began in 1968 with 3 dentists, eventually becoming 4 locations with over 30 dentists and 250 team members. In 2019, the group affiliated with North American Dental Group, with an even greater network of dental practices in the East and West.

Most of the time when people ask what I do, I reply enthusiastically with “I’m a pediatric dentist.” Oftentimes, the reciprocating facial expressions are of bewilderment. They say, “God bless you, why would you choose to do that?” Then I get to share all the reasons of why I absolutely love my job. Our days are filled with interacting with so many remarkable people and patients. This includes our many infants, children, adolescents and people with special needs and abilities patients. We have the privilege to follow our patients through their formative years and get to appreciate their distinct personalities, stories, and dreams. My youngest patient is just a few days old, and my oldest patient is in his sixties. One of the best parts of my job is the small but meaningful victories, such as helping a new patient get comfortable enough to sit in the dental chair for the duration of the first visit. When our team is able help the patient overcome some of their fears and anxieties (and their parents’ too), it is truly an incredible feeling.

Working with my team continues to be an incredible journey. Despite the challenges that. dentistry faced with the coronavirus pandemic, my team was able to navigate and adapt to provide the best-in-class patient care. This year will be forever marked in our memories, and we will remember that we got through it together, with care for our patients and each other as top priority. For this, I will be eternally grateful. We work together like a well-oiled machine. From our years of closely working together, we have developed the ability the communicate with quick glances, and sometimes without uttering a word. On occasion, we have been known to spontaneously belt out in unison, “The Brushing Song” in tune and in rhythm.  I am constantly amazed by the empathy and enthusiasm of our team. We love any opportunity to engage with the local community through volunteer events and to support each other during times of difficulty. They say it takes a village to raise a child, and I say it takes a tightly knit team to deliver outstanding dental care.

At times, I come to work, fix my gaze on the “Grove Dental” sign, words that take me back to my childhood, but also represents something of my present self. It encompasses the years of change through the community that embraced me as a kid and has had a huge impact on my life. I am proud to say that Grove is a part of me, it is my community.

For Further Information Contact:
Reginald Fields
FieldsR@nadentalgroup.com
614-537-7943

Women’s Initiative Founded By North American Dental Group To Host Event Celebrating Women’s History Month

Pittsburgh, PA (March 24, 2021) – Women in Dentistry (WinD), an initiative founded by North American Dental Group (NADG) to empower females in the industry and build equity, will celebrate Women’s History Month by hosting a panel discussion with three dynamic dentists who are shaping the future of dentistry.

‘Challenges, Opportunities, and Growth Within Leadership Roles,’ will be a live discussion about women thriving in dentistry. The webinar will take place on Wednesday, March 31 at 7 p.m. EST and registration is free and open to all. This event will also feature a question-and-answer segment to welcome audience participation.

“An increasing number of women are choosing to become dentists, which means that we will have a stronger voice in determining how dentistry evolves and an elevated role for how patients are cared for,” said Dr. Farah Kar, an orthodontist at Braces Braces in Atlanta, GA and an NADG partner, who will moderate the webinar. “Greater growth opportunities can sometimes bring enhanced challenges that must be addressed, both professionally and personally.”

The webinar’s panel will feature three NADG-affiliated general dentists:

• Mary Ann Hollis, of Grove Dental Associates in Lombard, IL. She is an NADG partner.
• Anna McGuire, of Stonecreek Dental Care in Kettering, OH. She is an NADG partner and Regional Dental Director.
• Anna Warnock, of Complete Dental Care in Shadyside, OH. She is also an NADG partner and Regional Dental Director.

Click HERE to register for the webinar. Click HERE for more information about the event.

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About Women in Dentistry

Women in Dentistry (WinD) was founded in 2019 by North American Dental Group to empower women in the industry and build equity for all. WinD is committed to providing opportunities for women to develop their clinical and leadership skills, bolstering gender equity in the industry, and inspiring and mentoring girls and young women who pursue careers in dentistry.

About North American Dental Group

North American Dental Group (NADG), based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was co-founded in 2008 by Ken Cooper and Dr. Andrew Matta. NADG was created to transform the dental experience for patients, clinicians, and its support teams and today consists of a network of 250 supported dental practices across 15 states. The values of maintaining an emotionally intelligent approach, being thoughtful educators, and displaying a healthy bravado fuel its day-to-day patient care and operations. These founding values are alive and well as NADG celebrates its pioneering spirit by solidifying its partnership with Jacobs Holding AG. For more information, please visit: www.NADentalGroup.com.

At NADG, we stand united in celebration of our differences and respecting what makes each of us unique. We are proud of the women within our organization who are making a difference in dentistry, championing servant leadership and exemplifying best-in-class patient care.

WHO INSPIRES YOU?

I am inspired by women who are unapologetically unafraid to be amazing leaders, such as my mom. She was raised in the middle east, where parts of society did not see women as equals. This left a lasting impression on her and as a result, she focused her attention on empowering and advocating for women. For example, when I was twelve, I recall her writing letters to our local elected officials alerting them of how the Taliban were persecuting the women of Afghanistan. She was, is and always will be my hero.

WHEN DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU WANTED TO PURSUE A CAREER IN DENTISTRY?

When I shadowed my older brother, Dr. Frank Nia, and realized how dynamic the field was. I was working as a project manager for a major development company and did not feel fulfilled in that position. When I saw Frank with his patients, it was like a light bulb went off and I never looked back. I wanted to impact lives, be part of a team, and HAVE FUN!

WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT, PROFESSIONAL OR PERSONAL?

Having two beautiful girls with my best friend.

WHY IS IT REWARDING TO BE A MENTOR?

I have a shadowing program at two of our clinics where high school, undergraduate or dental students can come shadow me for days or weeks. This allows them to see what an orthodontist does up close. The hope is to inspire and encourage these girls and young women to pursue a career in dentistry and create that very important mentorship and sponsorship needed for them to achieve their goals. I am inspired and overjoyed when my girls get into dental school or orthodontic residency.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE?

I am a horrible dancer that loves to dance.

Amazing woman with an amazing story.

At NADG, we stand united in celebration of our differences and respecting what makes each of us unique. We are proud of the women within our organization who are making a difference in dentistry, championing servant leadership and exemplifying best-in-class patient care. Meet Ashton Miller, Charo Earle, Danielle Short, Yanique Griffin, and Kelly Louthain.

WHO INSPIRES YOU?

Ashton:

The most inspiring person that I have ever met was my mother. She was the epitome of grace and kindness. Having grown up poor, despite her own personal successes, she understood the struggles that people face. When we were very young, she counselled us to look beyond the surface of what people show you and reach out with a helping hand or word when needed.

Kelly:  

Although I lost my mom to cancer six years ago, she continues to lead me through life and is my inspiration. She was a servant leader–professionally and personally. She worked full-time but still made time for me and my siblings and was there for so many other kids that needed support.

Charo:

I’m inspired by my Mom who has continuously been one of my biggest supporters. She taught me to be a leader, to give back, help others, and get along with everyone no matter your differences. She raised me to be independent and to reach for the stars. She did not accomplish all that she wanted to in life, so she pushed me HARD to reach mine. I may not have appreciated then, but I sure do now.

Yanique:

My mother inspires me. She has been my rock for me and my family. I was a single mother for many years and my mother stepped in and was a major support to me and my girls.  She’s supportive and has always encouraged me to never settle and to work harder than expected to reach my goals. I love and appreciate her so much.

WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT, PROFESSIONAL OR PERSONAL?

Ashton:

My biggest accomplishment is the work that I have done within the four walls of my home. I have three children – and as a proud mother, two of them are ranked in the top two percent of the state for academia. Plus, they love contributing to team sports and have pure hearts.

Kelly:

Professionally, my biggest accomplishment is being asked to sit on the Professional Dental Alliance’s Oral Health Board as its’ chair of the hygiene committee. I’m honored to be on a board consisting of respected dentists and continue to grow in my career. In my personal life, I feel blessed to be a mom. I am proud of my two-year old daughter and excited to see what the future holds for her. Biggest accomplishment–by far.

Charo:

I’m proud to say that I have gone further in my education and career than my parents were able to. Every parent wants more for their children and knowing that I made my parents proud by achieving this goal is a great feeling. It inspires me to mentor and encourage others to have faith and confidence to reach their goals and dreams – and that is very fulfilling to me.

Danielle:

Raising my daughter on my own since she was 6-weeks old. Now, she is an amazing 16-year old doing great things and I am so proud of her.

Yanique:

Personally, my children! I never thought that I would be a mother and my two miracles have defied those odds. They give me warmth and strength and it’s an honor to be their mom.

WHEN DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU WANTED TO PURSUE A CAREER IN DENTISTRY?

Ashton:

I used to stare at my first-grade teachers’ teeth! I was always wondering why she had the worst breath! That fascination with her teeth inspired me to pursue the dental field.

Kelly:

I grew up in a very small town with very little to do or places to go. To go to the dentist, we had to take a road trip. I loved being able to get out of school, hangout with my dentist, and eat fast food (since we didn’t have fast food, that was a treat!). It was great! I loved the experience so much that while I was in high school, I asked if I could shadow them. It was during that time when I decided that I wanted to be the reason kids loved getting out of school…to see the dentist! (I know..weird, right?)

Charo:

Growing up, I was in awe visiting my dentist, Dr. Roxanne Baker. She had such grace, strength, and confidence and her nurturing way made me feel very comfortable during what could have easily been a scary moment in a child’s impressionable mind. She had a huge impact on my choice to pursue dentistry. We formed a long-lasting connection and continue to stay in touch.

Danielle:

The hygienists in my local dental office made the job look fun and interesting, so I went back to school again and did it! 🙂 

Yanique:

I was 15-years old when I relocated to the United States from Jamaica. I was enrolled in Mount Vernon High School and was given the option between various technical programs and chose “Dental Assisting.”  I fell in love with dentistry from that point on. I later decided to pursue a degree in dental hygiene and excelled there as well, despite several hurdles and setbacks.

Amazing women with amazing stories.

WHO INSPIRES YOU?

Dr. Kristen Conner:

 There are two people who have inspired me at different points in my life. My best friend from dental school is a single mom of three, full-time dentist, and owner of an all-natural nail salon. And now she is an author!  Life has thrown her tremendous challenges yet, she never let it defeat or define her. She took pain and transformed it into words authoring her first novel which will be released this spring! She draws strength from her faith living every day with joy. I’m forever in “awe” of this incredible woman whom I call friend.

Dolly Parton – before she was trendy :). She has inspired me since I was a young girl. She is a true testament to beauty and brains. She never cared about what anyone thought of her physical appearance or her accent. She appeals to all walks of life because she truly has a genuine love for all people. Genuine is the key word here, in my opinion. Accomplishments in life are irrelevant if they aren’t coming from a genuine place of love and compassion. Behind her exterior is a smart, business savvy entrepreneur. She has it all. Of course, now she is trendy, once again because of her true selfless nature. There’s no true joy in success if you aren’t impacting others in a positive way.

Dr. Anna McGuire:

 My mother has always been my hero. She immigrated to America for a better life for our family. Never once did she ever make me feel that I had to alter my dreams because I was a girl. She taught me with hard work I could achieve absolutely anything. She always expected me to do my best. She worked hard and raised me and my siblings, all while fighting cancer. Never did she complain, pity herself, or fear the future. I learned from her what it was like to be a strong human.

 Dr. Anna Warnock:

 I am inspired most by both of my parents. My mother, a stay at home mom and beacon in my development, and my father, a general surgeon who was a devoted and loving husband and father. We had an unbelievably loving, kind, respectful, and supportive relationship.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT IN YOUR CAREER OR PERSONAL LIFE?

Dr. Conner:

Hands-down, being a mom! Never to downplay my career accomplishments but the reality is anything I’ve set a goal to do in my life I’ve persevered and managed to accomplish – no matter how long it took or how hard I had to work. They were each, for the most part, in my control. The one thing I was never worried about was having a family. I couldn’t wait. I had all the other parts of my life squared away. Then came a brief marriage that failed. Wait…what? I failed at something? That wasn’t in my plan. After a few years of hesitance, I gave it a try again. This time, success, but I was never prepared for the big, fat INFERTILITY word! It was totally out of my control. The fear, stress, hormone injections, and patience. The doctors couldn’t find any scientific reason for me not to have a baby. Stop getting stressed (they said), avoid toxic chemicals (they said), do yoga (they said). I did all the things – still NOTHING!!! I had to accept that I had no control over this situation. The one thing I never worried about in my entire life is something that I couldn’t fix. I had to let God control this one. Finally, a few years later, my prayers were answered. My biggest blessing came true and I was able to become the one thing that meant more to me than any degree, award, or my business. I finally became a mom and it forever changed my life.

Dr. McGuire:

My biggest personal accomplishment is being a role model for my three children. Showing them you can grow up and achieve your wildest dreams with patience, perseverance, and hard work – not cutting corners. Live a life of integrity. In my career I’m not quite there yet! The stars are the limit!

Dr. Warnock:

 I like to think that I have yet to reach my biggest accomplishments personally or professionally. I will say that I know I am proud of my two children, my successful yet sometimes bumpy marriage, and my relationship with my family. I am also proud to have received my 200RYT (yoga teacher training) designation. The accomplishment has nothing to do with the certificate but more to do with the personal journey I went through to learn more about myself and my interactions with the world.

WHEN DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU WANTED TO PURSUE A CAREER IN DENTISTRY?

Dr. Conner:

I’ve never wanted to do anything else. I knew I wanted to be a dentist as far back as I can remember. Of course, my dream was to be a Rockette, but my lifelong goal was always to be a dentist.

Dr. McGuire:

There were two distinct moments. The first is when my brother was instructing me to brush my teeth better and promptly sat on my chest and extracted my first tooth because I was being a baby about my loose tooth. That was never happening again! The second was watching cancer destroy my mother’s beautiful smile. I knew that I didn’t want to see that happen to others. A smile is a source of pride. It’s as much a window to our souls, as our eyes!

Dr. Warnock:

I knew I wanted to pursue a career in dentistry after I had worked two weeks as a work study/dental assistant in the Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Endodontics department the summer before my freshman year in undergrad at OSU. After working there for six-weeks, I had mastered scheduling and enjoyed working with the patients and the residents. My parents were already experiencing the financial crunch and changes administratively in medicine and suggested that dentistry would be a much better, longer-term career move both personally and financially.

Amazing women with amazing stories!