Helping women in dentistry flourish

Sarika Shah introduces the Flourish as a Female course, a leadership programme designed to help women in dentistry overcome barriers.

What inspired you to create the Flourish as a Female course? Was there a particular moment or experience that made you realise the need for a programme like this in dentistry?

I have been in the dental industry for more than 17 years and I’m currently the principal of a thriving private dental practice in Canary Wharf, London. As a female in dentistry,  I have faced many challenges, the biggest of which was a lack of female mentors/coaches to guide me through my personal barriers: limiting beliefs, self-doubt, judgement from others, management of time and stress and lack of self-advocacy.

Although I had advanced clinical skills, my lack of personal leadership skills inevitably delayed my growth, success and financial prosperity. I recognised that for true success and fulfilment, both clinical and personal leadership skills are essential and go hand in hand. For the last 10 years, I have been mastering personal leadership, and I’m also a certified mindset and performance coach.

I wanted to create a leadership programme specifically for women that involved coaching and mentorship, sharing guidance and strategies to overcome their barriers, and genuinely elevating themselves in their dental career beyond what they see as possible. Currently, there are no female-led courses on personal leadership and development. I wanted to lead the future of dentistry for women by creating Flourish as a Female.

What specific challenges or obstacles do you think are unique to women in dentistry, and how does this course address them?

Women in dentistry face several barriers that impact their careers and professional development. These include:

• Imposter syndrome: it is shown that women experience more impostor syndrome than men, where they doubt their skills despite evidence of their competence. This can be intensified by being one of the few women in a particular practice or specialisation or being a female practice principal. It leads to personal self-doubt, limiting beliefs, and diminished confidence. Women may also feel more pressure to prove themselves, leading to higher self-scrutiny and potential burnout
• Work-life balance: there is a massive clash between female biology and career pathways. Societal expectations of women as caregivers and the demanding nature of clinical dentistry make it challenging to balance family and career
• Gender bias: studies also show that female dentists typically earn less than their male counterparts, even with similar qualifications and experience. Women are less likely to enter specialised fields like oral surgery and orthodontics, often due to bias and the demanding nature of these specialties
• Lack of mentorship: women often lack opportunities for mentorship and networking, which can limit their career growth.

What will you gain from the course?

A significant part of this course focuses on mastering self-leadership, a high achiever mindset, time management and career and financial goal setting. These skills empower women with the tools to foster self-awareness, confidence, and self-advocacy. Key components include, effective communication, emotional regulation, emotional intelligence, and resilience.

Women can recognise their inherent value by cultivating the right mindset, setting clear personal and professional growth goals, and managing time effectively. This self-awareness naturally opens up new opportunities and understanding your self-value and certain business strategies, leads to financial advancement. This in combination with clinical and communication skills will inevitably lead you to becoming a successful clinician. In addition, my unique teaching and coaching methods ensure that participants become influential leaders in all areas of their lives.

Who is Flourish as a Female for?

If you’re uncertain whether this course fits you or are hesitant about seeking support, remember that growth and leadership are lifelong journeys. Flourish as a Female is designed for women at various stages of their careers – whether you’re just starting, navigating a career transition, seeking to re-energise your professional path or launching your practice.

Some women might hesitate to enrol in personal or professional development courses and reluctant to seek support, feeling they should be able to figure things out independently.This programme provides exclusive resources, a supportive community, and expert mentorship and coaching to help you overcome challenges and realise your full potential. You don’t have to navigate this journey in your dental career alone – investing in yourself is the first step toward becoming a powerful female leader and clinician in dentistry you’re meant to be.

This article is sponsored by Platinum Dental Care.