Female clinicians: clinical knowledge alone is not enough

Sarika Shah explains the qualities needed to excel as a female dentist beyond clinical and technical skills, and how to develop them.

When it comes to dentistry, clinical knowledge and technical skills are undeniably vital. However, as female clinicians face growing demands both inside and outside the clinic, these alone are not sufficient to ensure efficiency, productivity,and the delivery of holistic care at a high standard.

To truly excel in today’s competitive landscape in dentistry, female clinicians need more than just expertise with instruments and procedures. They need strong leadership, self-leadership, effective communication, confidence, effective time management and a resilient mindset.

Self-Leadership: leading yourself with clarity and purpose

Self-leadership is a cornerstone of professional success, especially for female clinicians who often juggle multiple responsibilities. It involves taking ownership of your career, setting clear goals, and cultivating the discipline to achieve them. It’s about making intentional decisions that align with your values, continuously improving yourself, and holding yourself accountable to your own growth.

For female clinicians, developing self-leadership skills is crucial for balancing the demands of patient care, managing a team, and pursuing personal goals. Self-leadership empowers women to take control of their schedules, prioritise their wellbeing, and stay resilient in the face of challenges. By mastering self-leadership, female clinicians can avoid burnout, lead by example, and inspire others around them to adopt a proactive approach to their careers.

Leadership skills: guiding teams and patients with authority

Female clinicians often underestimate the importance of leadership skills in their practice. Leadership doesn’t only pertain to owning or running a practice; it’s about taking charge of your patient care and positioning yourself as a trusted authority, whether you are an associate or DCP. For practice principals, leadership allows you to guide your team toward a common goal, resolve conflicts, and inspire a shared vision. It’s about creating an environment that fosters respect, trust, and collaboration among both patients and staff.

For female clinicians, the ability to confidently lead, delegate, and motivate can mean the difference between a thriving, organised practice and one struggling to stay afloat. Yet too often women downplay their natural leadership qualities due to imposter thoughts, self-doubt or societal expectations, which can limit their potential.

The power of communication: building trust and connection

Healthcare is not just about treating symptoms. It’s about connecting with patients, understanding their needs, and ensuring their comfort throughout the treatment process. Good communication skills are paramount for female clinicians to foster strong relationships with their patients. The ability to explain complex procedures in simple, accessible terms, listen actively, and make patients feel heard are all key aspects of excellent patient care. Without these skills, even the most skilled clinician might struggle to build trust or provide the empathetic care that patients deserve.

For female clinicians, strong communication skills can also help dismantle the imposter syndrome and self-doubt many experience. These insecurities often stem from the pressure to balance high expectations with the desire to avoid confrontation or being perceived as overbearing. Developing assertiveness and clarity in communication empowers women to advocate for their value and assert their worth as clinicians and leaders.

Additionally, communication extends to working with the whole dental team. Effective communication with staff ensures that everyone is on the same page regarding patient care, clinic procedures, and goals. It involves setting clear expectations, providing constructive feedback, and creating a culture of open dialogue.

Confidence and imposter syndrome: overcoming internal barriers

Imposter syndrome is a common challenge among female professionals, especially in fields where men may dominate leadership positions. Even with exceptional clinical skills, many female clinicians struggle with feelings of inadequacy, often questioning their competence or fearing they are not ‘enough’. These feelings can manifest as self-doubt, anxiety, and a reluctance to step into leadership roles.

However, confidence is critical – not only to overcome imposter syndrome but also to ensure the delivery of high-quality care. Confident female clinicians make decisive choices in treatment plans, patient management, and team leadership. They stand firm in their value, advocate for fair compensation, and aren’t afraid to take risks or make difficult decisions that benefit their patients and practice.

Confidence can also influence how female clinicians manage their professional growth. It encourages them to seek out mentorship, continue learning, and challenge themselves with new procedures or technologies. Building this confidence is essential for providing holistic care, as it enables women to embrace their full potential, both as clinicians and leaders.

Money mindset: unlocking financial success

Many female clinicians struggle with money mindset: feeling uncomfortable discussing fees or undervaluing their work. A negative or limited money mindset can lead to undercharging for services, avoiding price discussions, or failing to invest in professional development or technology upgrades. This mindset can also contribute to burnout, as clinicians might overwork themselves to compensate for feelings of inadequacy or financial insecurity.

Female clinicians need to understand their worth and the value they provide to patients. A positive money mindset empowers women to set appropriate pricing for their services, invest in the growth of their careers or practices, and create financial freedom without fear of judgment or guilt.

Holistic care and personal growth

The journey to providing exceptional care is deeply tied to personal growth. Providing holistic care means treating the patient as a whole, addressing not only their physical health but also their emotional wellbeing and overall life circumstances.

Female clinicians, need the skills to connect with patients on a deeper level and create treatment plans that consider the whole person. This requires empathy, emotional intelligence and the ability to navigate sensitive conversations.

How Flourish as a Female can help

Flourish as a Female is the first leadership course in the UK created by a female dentist and practice owner, Dr Sarika Shah, for other female clinicians in dentistry.

Attending the Flourish as a Female course can provide female clinicians with the essential tools to overcome these barriers and thrive in all aspects of their careers. This transformative experience is designed to empower female clinicians to step into their full potential by addressing the key areas of leadership, self-leadership, communication, confidence, time management and money mindset.

Over just two days, Dr Sarika Shah helps women develop confident leadership skills, teaching them how to assert their value, manage a team and lead with authority. The course also focuses on improving communication strategies, helping female clinicians build rapport with patients, resolve conflicts with staff, and convey their expertise effectively.

A core focus of the course is shifting money mindset. By learning to embrace their worth and confidently set appropriate pricing for services, female clinicians can unlock their financial potential, run sustainable practices and alleviate the stress of financial insecurity.

Lastly, The Flourish as a Female course addresses imposter syndrome and self-doubt, equipping female clinicians with the confidence and clarity to make empowered decisions, create balance, and lead with authority. The course also emphasises the importance of self-leadership, encouraging women to take ownership of their career growth and personal wellbeing, which are key to maintaining long-term success.

In short, Flourish as a Female is more than a course. It is an investment in your personal and professional growth. By attending, female clinicians can unlock the skills and mindset needed to thrive in their careers, provide holistic care, and build a sustainable, successful practice.

This article is sponsored by Platinum Dental Care.