Celebrating the women of dentistry this International Women’s Day

Dentistry has benefited from considerable female talent contributing, with insight, skill and vigour, over many decades to the work of promoting Australian dentistry and advancing oral health in Australia.

This year, as International Women’s Day (8 March) encourages everyone to “Accelerate Action” for gender equality, the ADA celebrates the women who have enriched and propelled the profession forward.

While much remains to be done, the signs are encouraging with the percentage of women in dentistry climbing from 47.6% in 2014 to 55.4% in 2023, according to data from the Dental Board of Australia.

In another heartening sign, the majority of ADA Branch Presidents are women, as is half of the ADA’s Board of Directors.

It is these women dentists and a host of others in the ADA, academia and associated professions who have ensured that dentistry remains a vital part of the overall healthcare of Australians and that it continues to stand tall on the world stage.

“The importance of International Women’s Day cannot be overstated. It is not only about celebrating the achievements and acknowledging the challenges women face in their professional life, but a reminder that there is an ongoing need for all of us to work hard for a secure and equal future for all women.

“This applies to dentistry as much as any sphere of endeavour. While it’s heartening to see women rebalance this once male-dominated field, much remains to be done to support female participation and equity. The women featured in this article, and many more besides, inspire us to do what’s needed to bring this vision of gender equity into reality.”

The ADA would like to feature every woman to have positively impacted and contributed to the profession and the Association, but in lieu of that, we have selected some key figures to highlight the work done by so many for the good of dentistry and the oral health of all Australians. 

We take the time to honour the dedication and hard work of the following powerhouses of the profession.

Honorary life member

Dr Karin J. Alexander AM (ADA President 2012-2014)

Distinguished Service Award

Conj. A/Professor Deborah Cockrell AM (also Valuable Service Award, 2004 and 2007)

Professor Pauline J. Ford (also Valuable Service Award 2015)

A/Prof. Sharon Liberali AO (current ADA Board member)

Dr Angela M Pierce (past member, ADA Federal Council)

Dr Janet F. Scott, CSC 

Award of Merit

Mrs Nancy L. Badrock AM (deceased)

Ms. Pamela Clark AO

Ms Eleanor J. Ladner

 
Honorary Membership

Dr Katie Ayers (NZDA) 

Dr Susan Gorrie (NZDA) 

Dr Amanda Johnston (NZDA)

Valuable service award

Dr Jennifer Ball

Mrs Sandra Barnes

Dr Julee Birch

Dr Elizabeth A. Coates AM

A/Prof. Nicola M. Kilpatrick AM

Dr Som-Ling Leung

Dr Helen D. McLean AM 

Dr Amanda Phoon Nguyen

Dr Jennifer M. Smyth AM

Ms. Wendy Tancred

Dr Barbara A. Taylor

Prof. Janet Wallace 

Dr Susan Wise

Outstanding Young Dentist Award

Dr Kate Amos 

ADA Board and CEO (past and present, 2021 onwards)

Dr Norah Ayad

Dr Janina Christoforou

Dr Angie Nilsson

Mrs. Susan Petrellis

Dr Kerrie O’Rourke

Dr Gitika Sanghvi

Dr Kate More

Dr Susan Wise

Dr Sharon Liberali