Embarking on a dental career is an exciting journey filled with opportunities, challenges, and the potential for profound personal and professional growth. As women entering this dynamic field, it's essential to recognize the power of presence—the simple yet impactful act of "just showing up." By actively participating in events, meetings, and gatherings, you open doors to connections and experiences that can shape your career in unimaginable ways.
The Dental industry is currently facing growing challenges amid economic uncertainties. From managing rising overhead costs to retaining staff, to the strain of patient affordability, the financial pressures are undeniable.
In 2019, Tokuyama Dental America launched the revolutionary product OMNICHROMA, the world’s first single-shade, universal composite. This allowed for the ease and flexibility of simplifying your armamentarium, saving cost due to reduced inventory, and providing excellent patient results no matter the type of restoration or color.
It’s often said that if you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together. As the holiday season approaches, we are reminded of the importance of giving back.
Clinically, I’ve been in the same dental practice for over 30 years. That affords me an opportunity to have long standing perspectives on so many patients.
Did you know that Tokuyama Dental America’s journey began more than a century ago with soda ash production in Japan? Our rich history is a testament to our growth, rooted in the strong foundation laid by Tokuyama Corporation, our parent company. As you read this blog, I invite you to explore our journey—from manufacturing soda products to pioneering innovative dental materials.
Have you ever heard of the phrase “when you hear hoofbeats, think horses not zebras?” Well, what happened was what I thought was “horses” (a simple sinus infection) turned out to be something I never would have guessed, in other words, “zebras” (an oral pocket infection).
About halfway through my career, I experienced tremendous burnout. I felt like I was stuck in the hamster wheel of dentistry. However, with the help of therapy and life coaching, I overcame this and returned to enjoying being a dentist.
The beginnings of my implant journey I have been surgically placing and restoring dental implants for over twenty years. During this time, the industry has exploded with new inventions and materials, and I have adapted to these drastic changes with improved workflows and techniques.
There are so many drivers of stress, and it literally becomes a new normal in navigating life for the majority of individuals. While some people manage stressors better than others, it’s concerning that anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health condition in the U.S., and a leading cause of disability.1
As a woman practicing in dentistry, you have the added pressure to always be extraordinary, to live up to the expectations set by those before you. Expectations that were built in a world in which you were not always granted a seat at the table, nor could you always freely share your voice. So much progress has been made since then as women have paved their own pathway through the dental field. We, at Tokuyama Dental America, are incredibly proud of all the women in dentistry and especially those that we have the pleasure of working with. To best honor their work and unique experiences, we asked a few key opinion leaders to share their story, along with the challenges they face in a once male-dominated profession.
Tokuyama Dental America Inc.· 740 Garden View Ct., Suite 200· Encinitas, CA 92024Phone: (877) 378-3548E-mail: info@tokuyama-us.com©2018 Tokuyama Dental America Inc.
