‘When women gather, magic happens’ – Raabiha Maan shares her experience of Thrive Together, the inaugural summit hosted by the Dental Mums Network.
Let me tell you what happens when you bring a group of women in dentistry into one room. Not to talk about the latest composite bonding protocol or how to prep a tooth, but to talk about life. About imposter syndrome, burnout, the weight of invisible loads – and everything in between.
That’s exactly what we did at Thrive Together, the inaugural summit hosted by the Dental Mums Network. And to be honest, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. There’s always that little voice whispering: ‘Do we really need a women-only space? Will people think it’s exclusionary?’
But what unfolded that day blew even my expectations out of the water.
Not your typical dental event
We began in a way most dental conferences never do. Breath work and grounding, led by Dr Aditi Bhalla, followed by a fun, energising movement session by Vicky Midwood. It was calm, playful, and intentional. A reminder that before we can pour into others, we must first connect with ourselves.
That set the tone for everything that followed.
The first talk, delivered by Dr Priya Gupta, focused on mental overload, decision fatigue and the invisible load. She helped name what so many women feel but rarely articulate, the unrelenting to-do list in our minds and the exhaustion that comes with carrying everyone else’s needs.
Women leading with purpose
Dr Wajiha Basir shared her story of building practices while raising a young family. Her talk was inspiring and relatable, not a glossy highlight reel, but a clear message: women make great leaders. She showed that with community, structure, and the right support, women can build thriving businesses while staying true to their values.
At the Dental Mums Network, we’ve seen this firsthand. Our growing Herpractice community offers a space for female practice owners to connect, ask questions, and support one another. We’re also expanding a new community for women looking to become practice owners. Because women don’t just belong in leadership, we excel in it.
Hormonal health, open conversations
The Inner Cycle was an open Q&A with the audience, led by Sarita Stefani and Dr Vivienne Hall, exploring key aspects of female hormonal health. From postpartum hair loss and heavy periods to infertility and the early signs of perimenopause, nothing was off limits.
Attendees said they felt safe enough to ask questions they’d never voiced before. One woman shared: ‘I’ve never spoken about my painful, heavy periods in public before, but I felt so safe in that space, I opened up about it in a room of 100 women. That session was invaluable.’
For many, it was the first time they’d truly felt empowered to learn more about their own bodies and to ask the questions that so often go unspoken.
Redefining confidence and balance
Dr Nicola Gore challenged the idea of ‘having it all’, encouraging women to focus on what truly matters instead of chasing perfection. Following that, Ellicia Dillon delivered a lively session on imposter syndrome, helping women identify unhelpful self-beliefs like the perfectionist or superwoman. Her interactive approach sparked laughter, self-awareness, and real confidence. Together, the talks reminded us that success isn’t about doing it all, it’s about doing what aligns with our values, with courage and intention.
The unfiltered panel: real, raw and resonant
Our unfiltered panel – featuring Kayley Mccauley, Sakina Needham, Dr Bibiana Yetty, and Dr Zainab Al-Mukhtar – shared openly about motherhood, identity, ambition, and guilt. For many attendees, it was a standout moment that reassured them they weren’t alone in feeling overwhelmed or behind.
One line from Dr Zainab deeply resonated: ‘Motherhood broke me and made me.’
The panel reflected on the pressure to appear perfect online and the limits of sharing honestly when patients are watching. The conversation offered relief, connection, and a strong sense of sisterhood.
The afternoon: honest questions and practical wisdom
One of the standout sessions of the day was the audience panel, where questions were asked by the attendees and answered by the attendees. It was a powerful reminder that everyone in the room was an expert in their own right. Everyone deserved a mic and we gave it to them. The conversation spanned anxiety, infertility, motherhood, career balance, and managing the hard stuff no one usually talks about. It was raw, real, and deeply connecting.
We ended the day with Dr Hardeep Kaur Basi and Hanan Baba, who delivered two impactful, interactive workshops on time management, burnout, and stress. Through group discussions and reflection, attendees were challenged to rethink how they live, lead, and look after themselves. Less pressure, more purpose.
The joyful touches
Of course, it wasn’t all introspection. We had joy, too. A bubble tea bar brought smiles and surprise. A chocolate fountain added fun. And a massage therapist was fully booked from start to finish.
These weren’t gimmicks. They were reminders that we matter too. That self-care isn’t indulgent, it’s essential.
Sponsors who truly engaged
The support of our sponsors allowed us to elevate the experience. But more than that, they engaged with attendees on a human level.
Louise from Trycare said their stand was busier and more meaningful than at recent national events. Emma from Boutique shared that she’d been having a tough time personally and that the event left her feeling lighter, more connected, and genuinely happy.
It wasn’t just a one-way engagement. It was mutual and memorable.
We’re also grateful to Mark Allan, of Bupa Dental Care, one of the first leaders to reach out and support our vision. He recognised that with a team made up of 95% women, creating a space like this was essential. Anusha Patel, Bupa’s head of clinical development, attended and said it was ‘phenomenal, like no other event I’ve been to before’.
A community in motion
Helping capture all this magic was Gina Revitt, our newly appointed DMN ambassador, who filmed stories and testimonials throughout the day.
Reflecting on the atmosphere, Gina said: ‘There was a real sense of relief in the room, as if a weight had been lifted. Women felt safe enough to open up about their insecurities, only to realise they weren’t alone. The atmosphere was empowering and deeply supportive. By the end of the event, I saw so many women exchanging numbers and connecting on social media. It was clear that they had found their tribe.’
Final thoughts
If Thrive Together taught us anything, it’s this: dentistry doesn’t just need more CPD. It needs more humanity. We need space to exhale, to laugh, to cry, to belong.
There is room in this profession for ambition and softness. For business-building and bubble tea.
To every woman who showed up, thank you. To every sponsor and speaker who gave with heart, thank you.
This wasn’t just an event. It was the beginning of a movement. Because when women gather, we don’t just survive. We thrive together.
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