Aneka Khaira shares her experiences of being a woman in dentistry and owning her practice, and offers advice for other young women in the profession.
Dentistry is a profession that has traditionally been male dominated; however, this landscape is fast changing, shifting into a gender-diverse workforce.
In the UK, data from 2013 to 2021 shows a rise in the number of female dentists registered in the UK (Hellyer, 2023). While the trend is no doubt encouraging, it is essential to continue to raise awareness of the silent barriers that create challenges for women entering the dentistry sector.
A-dec is a strong advocate of 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, like Aneka, who built the stunning Vogue Dental practice.
When did you first get your passion for dentistry?
I studied dentistry at the University of Birmingham, followed by a diploma in orthodontics at the University of Warwick. Believe it or not, my passion for dentistry started at the young age of nine. My mother often recites the story of when I wrote a letter to our local dentist asking them how I could become a dentist and whether I could work at the practice.
Many years later, I completed four weeks of work experience in a dental practice which gave me insight into the sector. This experience served to solidify my passion for the patient-centric nature of dentistry and the importance of building a rapport with my patients. Dentistry combines science and art, which were two areas I have always excelled in, 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 barriers during your journey to becoming a cosmetic dentist?
Like many other industries, dentistry can be very cutthroat with a surprising amount of competitiveness. I think practising in a country where there is no shortage of oral care professionals is a great thing! I think we should be celebrating each other’s successes and promoting an ecosystem where dentists can learn from one another. 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 a dental background, so I felt that it would be more difficult to succeed, not to mention the fact that my speciality is aesthetic dentistry.
Like in most industries, you’ll find that many people don’t take you as seriously being a female dentist. Being underestimated was frustrating, but being so determined and driven, I couldn’t let that be the reason I didn’t achieve my life goal of being a trusted surgeon. Instead, I overcame these barriers by ensuring that I continuously developed my skill set with the very best training available and valued support from my incredible colleagues and community.
Do you have any advice for young women pursuing a dental career?
I would say to 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 achieving success!
Additionally, if you can, try to gain some work experience, as it will help streamline your long-term career goals. I worked as a part-time dental nurse while studying at university, which really improved my clinical dentistry and made the transition from dental student to associate much easier.
I wish every woman following a career in dentistry abundant success and I cannot wait to see the impact they’ll have on the sector.
A-dec believes that gender diversity and inclusion are essential to the success of any healthcare sector and recognises the distinct challenges that women face in dentistry. By shining a light on the monumental successes of women like Aneka, we can continue to shift the narrative when it comes to professional women in healthcare.
Follow Dentistry.co.uk on Instagram to keep up with all the latest dental news and trends.
