Dr. Pickart shares a moment with one of the parade participants.
	Dr. Pickart and several staff members enjoy the view from the back of the trolley.

Dr. Pickart (back row) and Mr. Molar visiting pre-schoolers at Premiere Ecole in Elm Grove on February 13, 2008.	Dr. Pickart (at top of group) visiting a kindergarten class at St. Mary's Visitation in Elm Grove on February 15, 2008.
	Dr. Pickart (front) and her staff help pack bag lunches for the Milwaukee Rescue Mission.

In years past, the subject of women in the dental profession typically conjured images of dental hygienists and assistants. However, with more and more women entering dental school, that image is no longer the norm.

To help students and their spouses understand the challenges that female dentists face in today’s society, Dean William Lobb supported an effort by Marquette University School of Dentistry Adjunct Professor of Dental Development Sciences/Behavior Sciences Dr. Nicolas Shane and other members of Marquette’s dental school to host MUSOD’s first panel event addressing issues affecting women in dentistry. Holt Dental Supply sales representatives Sarah Derivan and Salli Stretti were official hosts/sponsors of the event along with Drs. Donale Lenhardt and Therese Pickart.

The panel, titled “Women in Dentistry: Stories of Success, Survival and Challenge,” addressed issues such as finding practices to work and own and balancing dentistry and a family.

Predoctoral Program in Oral Medicine & Oral Radiology Director Dr. Lisa Koenig moderated the panel program, which included female dentists from various backgrounds: solo general practitioners Drs. Donale Lenhardt and Therese Pickart, private group practitioner Dr. Pam McWilliams, private practice orthodontist
Dr. Pam Hansen, private corporate general practitioners Drs. Heidi Daub and Cheska Avery and private family general practitioner Dr. Tiffany Smalkowski.

Besides giving an overview of their own experiences in dentistry, these speakers spoke from first-hand experience to answer questions such as, “How do you announce a pregnancy in such a way as to avoid losing patients?”, “What are the pros and cons of owning your own practice versus working in a group practice?” and “What other challenges to do you face as a female dentist besides family issues?”

Wh i l e many questions focused on balancing family and dental practice, they also discussed handling student loans and debt while starting out, the importance of having a spouse/significant other who understands the commitment dentistry requires and finding the right work environment, whether it be solo or group, private or corporate owned.

Special guests American Dental Association Past-President Dr. Kathleen Roth (West Bend) and Wisconsin Dental Association President Dr. Monica Hebl (Milwaukee) also gave overviews on their experiences being female leaders in organized dentistry and the importance of being actively involved in their profession.

Also addressed was the concern some dentists have that women dentists, while taking up a valuable spot in dental school, work less than their male counterparts after graduation. A “mythbuster” study conducted by Carrie Herrild, BS, Sherry L. Ortiz, MA, RT(R) and Dr. Elise Sampson proved otherwise by surveying 620 MUSOD female graduates with a 62 percent response rate. Less than five percent of respondents worked part-time after graduation because of family commitments. The study concluded that Marquette graduate female dentists are committed to their profession, with almost 75 percent of post-2000 graduates working full-time within a year of graduation.

More than 85 students and guests attended the panel, which was very well received. Attendee feedback included comments such as, “...very empowering; insightful; answered my questions about fears, concerns and challenges facing females; great information and honesty; made me proud to be a woman in dentistry.”

WDA Journal , July 2008, page 6

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