On Saturday 21st June, the Women in Dentistry session set the tone for an inspiring day at Invisalign Live 2025. Produced with the mantra of “Have Your Voice Heard,” the packed session brought together a vibrant community of female dental professionals for a morning of connection, candid storytelling, and collective empowerment.
The event featured four outstanding speakers from across the dental spectrum; Dr. Marisa Monteiro, award-winning dentist and practice owner; Dr. Catherine McCanny, award-winning specialist orthodontist and Invisalign clinical speaker; Dr. Tilly Houston, associate dentist and BACD committee member and Emily Roscoe, dental therapist and Avant Garde trainer.
Each speaker shared details of their personal journeys, discussing their progression towards leadership, navigating gender expectations, and how they’ve redefined their career pathways. These insights offered attendees fresh perspectives and practical suggestions for empowerment and self-advocacy.
“It was such a pleasure to be part of the Women in Dentistry session at Invisalign Live,” said one of the presenters Dr. Tilly Houston. “The session created a powerful space for connection, inspiration, and honest conversation. It was also great to see a mixed-gender audience engaging so positively. I think everyone left feeling supported and empowered, with practical insights and a real sense of community.”
Attendees found that the experiences resonated with their own, and were impressed with the openness of the dialogue and the breadth of experiences shared. The speakers touched on everything from starting businesses to overcoming imposter syndrome and working collaboratively to uplift teams and patients alike.
“The Women in Dentistry session celebrated strength, resilience, and leadership,” added Dr. Henriette Lerner, an Invisalign Live speaker who attended the session. “Sessions like this are vital to spotlight role models and foster mentorship and shared ambition.”
The session was not just inspiring but also actionable; the announcement of an upcoming training day for women being organised by Align Technology later in 2025. In response to a recurring theme in past sessions where women expressed a lack of confidence about presenting, this initiative aims to support aspiring female speakers to develop their confidence, public speaking skills and ability to position themselves as thought leaders.
“There was a huge takeaway from this panel: anything is possible,” said attendee Dr. Alex Carruthers. “Events like this give women the confidence to know they have a strong support network to lift them up and help them reach their goals.”
The session also served as a welcoming networking opportunity, where early-career professionals and seasoned experts alike could share stories, build relationships, and create future collaborations. The presence of both women and men in the audience reinforced the idea that allyship is crucial in driving change and creating a more inclusive dental profession.
The energy from the Women in Dentistry session at Invisalign Live left a lasting impact, elevating voices, building community, and lighting the path forward for the next generation of leaders in dentistry.
