Dentaltown March 2015 - (Page 98)

women in dentistry feature Errante Q&A Dr. Margaret Four Women, Four Career Paths Hello. I'm Elizabeth J. Fleming, DDS, (also known as Betty), the clinical director of Dentaltown Magazine. As a woman and a practicing dentist, over the years I've found myself interested in what opportunities other women have found in dentistry. I spoke with four women who have chosen unique career paths in dentistry, and shared those conversations here in the four following question-and-answer segments. I hope you enjoy learning about these women as much as I did. Dr. Margaret Errante is the director of the Boston University Dental Health Center at the university's Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine. She also serves as the assistant dean for business development. Errante has more than 30 years experience in the dental ﬁeld, including 18 years as a principal in a multi-location group practice prior to joining Boston University. Did you always want to be in academia? I always thought that I would teach, but my career took me in the direction of a more administrative role in academics. Before joining Boston University I held a position as an adjunct clinical instructor at Pima Community College (in Arizona) where I supervised dental hygiene students on the clinic ﬂoor. This was a very rewarding and fulﬁ lling role because I had the opportunity to work with the students and provide guidance on different techniques in dentistry. Fortunately, while managing my practice in Arizona and also at the Boston University Dental Health Center, I have the opportunity to take on a mentoring role. I host study groups, peer reviews, and provide guidance to junior faculty and colleagues. What other positions in dentistry have you had in the years leading up to Boston University? I practiced dental hygiene prior to attending dental school. After graduating from the University of the Paciﬁc, I was a principal in Associated Health Plans and Associated Dental Care Providers located in Arizona. After practicing for 18 years in Arizona, I moved to the East Coast. 98 MARCH 2015 // dentaltown.com Why did you choose dentistry? I thought it would be a great profession for a woman, providing a great work and life balance, which is a rarity. The wonderful thing is I have the opportunity to pursue my career aspirations without having to sacriﬁce time with my family. So I have the best of both worlds. Speaking of balance, how did you ﬁt family in with your career? At the time of my son's birth, the practice was really ramping up. Two weeks after delivering him I had to cover one of the ofﬁces for emergencies. I went to the ofﬁce with a portable crib and my son in tow. The only reason it worked for me was because I had tremendous support from my husband. By the time my daughter was born, we chose a "role reversal" and my husband became a stayat-home dad to allow a better balance between work and home. Much of my success was due to my husband and his efforts to keep the home front so stable. Who are some of your mentors? That's an interesting and challenging question because I have been inﬂuenced by many different people from a variety of professions, including dentists, dental specialists, business leaders and individuals who have great leadership skills. There's nothing more inspirational than to see people who can lead with ease. I like to understand the qualities or components of what makes them successful with their leadership. I also believe in lifelong learning though continuing education opportunities, reading books on leadership and business and observing talent in many different forms. http://www.dentaltown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown March 2015

On Dentaltown.com
Howard Speaks: 20 Feet from Stardom: Delegate like Jagger
Professional Courtesy: Married to My Profession
Continuing Education Update
Help Me Treatment Plan This Case
CBCT Technology: What Will the Future Bring?
New Luting Composite: Variolink Esthetic
Cone Beam 3D—Is It Really for Me?
Four Digital Marketing Mistakes that Impede Practice Growth
New Products
Poll
From Scaling to Therapy: A Day in the Life of a Dental Hygienist
The Value of a Dental Practice: Why Tracking “Attributable” Expenses Matters
I am Seeing a Lot of HPV Lesions in the Mouth Lately; What is the Protocol, Remove Them or What?
Dental Podcasts: What They Are and How They Work
Service Profi le: Garfi eld Refi ning
CE: Posterior Maxilla Implant Rehabilitation: A Challenging Task
Product Profile: Dentsply Caulking
Women in Dentistry: Intro
Women in Dentistry: Work/Life Balance: Flexibility and Creative Scheduling Go a Long Way
Women in Dentistry: The Lucy Hobbs Project
Women in Dentistry: Female Dentists in Conservative Muslim Nations Face Challenges and Threats
Women in Dentistry: The American Association of Women Dentists: Representing Women from Products to Leadership
Ad Index
Women in Dentistry: Q&A
Women in Dentistry: The Sky's the Limit: Hygienist Turned Entrepreneur Shows What's Possible
Product Profi le: SmartBox
Dentally Incorrect

Dentaltown March 2015