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Roya Zandparsa, DDS, MSc, DMD, FICD, and Suzie Bergman, DDS, FTMJF, are the President and President-Elect, respectively, of the American Association of Women Dentists.
The American Association of Women Dentists (AAWD) has been supporting and advancing women in dentistry for more than a century. What makes AAWD special is the community it creates across geographic boundaries, career stages, and areas of practice. Our members include pre-dental students, dental students, clinicians, educators, researchers, leaders, and women who are shaping new paths within dentistry both in the United States and internationally.
AAWD provides opportunities for mentorship, leadership development, continuing education, advocacy, and meaningful professional connection from pre-dental studies through dental school and throughout professional careers until retirement. We recognize that women's journeys in dentistry are diverse, and we are committed to supporting them at every stage.
Our expanding network now includes international chapters and our first pre-dental chapter, extending opportunities to aspiring dentists globally and to undergraduate women considering careers in dentistry. This growth reflects our mission to build a worldwide community of women dentists and future dentists.
Our impact also extends beyond our membership. Through community service, education, outreach, and partnerships, AAWD encourages women dentists to use their skills and passions to improve oral and overall health locally and globally. We believe dentistry is an essential part of healthcare, and that women in dentistry have an important role to play in creating healthier communities around the world.
Supporting the next generation is central to AAWD's mission. Our pre-dental chapters, student chapters, and national network give aspiring and current dental students opportunities to connect with mentors, develop leadership skills, participate in community service, and build relationships with women at different stages of their careers.
International Opportunities: AAWD creates pathways for internationally educated dentists and international pre-dental students who wish to pursue or advance their careers in dentistry. Through our international chapters and global network, we provide resources, professional development, and community connection regardless of geographic location, ensuring women dentists worldwide have access to support and advancement opportunities.
We also want students to see how many possibilities exist within dentistry. A career can include clinical practice, academics, research, public health, organized dentistry, entrepreneurship, advocacy, or combinations of these throughout a lifetime.
Beyond dentistry, AAWD encourages collaboration across healthcare professions. Oral health cannot be separated from overall health, and many of the challenges our patients face require clinicians to communicate and work across traditional professional boundaries.
For pre-dental students, dental students, and professionals considering careers in healthcare, we hope AAWD demonstrates the value of finding a professional community, seeking mentors, becoming a mentor in return, and remaining open to opportunities they may not have imagined when they first entered the profession.
Pre-Dental Support: Through our newly launched pre-dental chapter in Boston, our first of its kind, we are reaching women at the undergraduate level who are considering dentistry as a career. These students gain early access to mentorship, resources, and community as they prepare for dental school.
Start Early: You don't have to have your entire career mapped out before you begin. Whether you're in high school, college, dental school, or early in your career, now is the time to get involved. Some of the most meaningful opportunities may be ones you cannot see yet.
Build Your Network: Find mentors, but don't look for just one person to show you the way. Build relationships with people who challenge and encourage you. Ask questions, volunteer, and get involved in professional organizations early. And when someone opens a door for you, remember to hold it open for the woman coming behind you.
Trust Your Value: Don't confuse being new with being unqualified. You can continue learning while still having something valuable to contribute. Whether you're a pre-dental student, an international dentist new to a practice, or entering a new specialty, your perspective and commitment matter.
Think Beyond Boundaries: Remember that dentistry and medicine were never meant to exist in silos. Oral health is part of overall health, and the best care happens when we understand the whole person, not simply the part of the body associated with our profession. Whatever path you choose in healthcare, stay curious about the work of other disciplines, looking for opportunities to collaborate across traditional boundaries.
Define Success on Your Terms: Healthcare offers many ways to make a difference, and a meaningful career doesn't have to follow a linear path. Whether you practice clinically, teach, conduct research, advocate for policy change, or work internationally, your contribution is valuable. Stay curious, stay connected, and be willing to let your career evolve.
Join Our Community: AAWD is here for you whether you're a pre-dental student in Boston, a dental student seeking mentorship, an early-career dentist, an internationally trained professional, or a seasoned leader. You belong here, and we are committed to supporting your journey.
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