Advancing women in dentistry on International Women’s Day 2026

On International Women's Day (IWD) 2026, Dentsply Sirona reaffirms its commitment to advancing women in dentistry-throughout the practice, on the conference stage, and in leadership-through a growing portfolio of global partnerships, speaker development programs, and events that reflect this year's IWD theme: Give To Gain.

CHARLOTTE, N.C.. The dental profession is undergoing a significant demographic shift. Women now account for over 60% of practicing dentists across Europe,¹ more than 54% of dental school entrants in the United States,² and 75% of all dentists in Finland.³ As women increasingly shape the future of oral healthcare, ensuring equal access to leadership opportunities, visibility, and professional development has never been more important.

In line with its global sustainability strategy "BEYOND: Taking Action for a Brighter World", Dentsply Sirona is committed to supporting women at every stage of their careers - from students and clinicians to dental technicians and industry leaders. This International Women's Day, the company highlights a series of initiatives that embody the spirit of giving back to create lasting, collective gain.

Women in Dentistry Rise: Building Community at Chicago Midwinter

As a founding organization of the Women in Dentistry (WID) Rise breakfast event, Dentsply Sirona once again proudly supported this annual networking event during the Chicago Midwinter Meeting. With 350 participants spanning dentists, dental hygienists, technicians, industry professionals, and journalists - the event featured two panel discussions: "The Art of Saying 'No' to Maximize Personal & Professional Growth" and "How to Thrive in Diverse Teams by Leveraging Individual & Team Strengths." To extend the conversation year-round, a dedicated LinkedIn page has now launched, inviting the wider community to connect and engage: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-in-dentistry-rise/posts/?feedView=all

"WID Rise's purpose is to provide opportunity for women in the dental industry to engage, share, inspire, enrich, and elevate one another," said Melanie Lecours, VP, Commercial Operations at Dentsply Sirona. "While the gender and ethnicity composition of dental school graduates is changing, much of the surrounding industry does not reflect this change. Our goal is to create a platform for authentic, positive connection that empowers greater leadership and influence of women professionals in the field."

Amplifying Women's Voices Through Speaker Development

As part of its commitment to advancing women in dentistry, Dentsply Sirona invests in speaker development programs that help elevate women's voices, visibility, and leadership across the profession - driving impact that extends far beyond individual careers.

"The realization that sharing my expertise creates a ripple effect of better patient care worldwide was powerful," said Dr. Sara Mahmood, owner of six dental practices in the US and a past participant in Dentsply Sirona's FirstTo50 Women's Speaker Development Program. "With their distinctive lived experiences as clinicians, caregivers, and patients, women's voices are essential to shaping the future of oral healthcare."

Women in DSO^®: Empowering Future Leaders of the Dental Industry

As a founding member and long-standing partner of Women in DSO^® - an organization dedicated to empowering women in dental service organizations and cultivating future industry leaders - Dentsply Sirona provides additional mentorship and speaking opportunities. This year, the company is participating in the Women in DSO® Empower and Grow Conference, March 5-7 in Las Vegas and plans to engage women practitioners through future R&D focus groups to help shape ongoing product development and innovation.

^1,2 Chairside to Leadership: Challenges Women Face in Dentistry | DEXIS; 07/29/2025

³ The women breaking barriers in dentistry | American Dental Association; 07/29/2025