Nina Frketin asks how we can motivate the next generation of women to consider a career in dental technology and thrive throughout it.
For more than 20 years, dental technology was my passion, my purpose, and an extension of who I was. But recently, for the first time, I found myself struggling to stay inspired. I know I’m not alone in this. The industry feels different now – online platforms are filled with negativity and sometimes it feels like we, the technicians, care more about patients than the clinicians themselves.
And so, I ask myself: how do we inspire women? How do we inspire anyone, in fact, to get into dental technology when many of us feel disillusioned? The truth is, it’s not rocket science. Most of us come to work, do our job, and go home. At its most basic level, a job should offer good wages, security, and flexibility. But that’s just scratching the surface. If we truly want to bring in and retain talent, we need to go deeper.
How can we support ambition in dental technology?
We need an environment where we feel safe expressing ourselves, where we can challenge outdated egos without fear of repercussions. We need workplaces that support ambition rather than suppress it out of fear that we might outgrow them. For the mothers in this industry, flexibility isn’t a perk—it’s a necessity. Yet, too often, they are forced to choose between career growth and family life.
Equally important is finding the people who support and guide you. There are some amazing groups out there – like Nightshift – that offer invaluable advice not only to women but to anyone seeking guidance in our field. These communities provide a space to discuss not just technical challenges at work but also broader workplace issues and personal struggles.
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve relied on the brilliant techs in this industry to help me navigate both professional obstacles and personal dilemmas. Their support is a testament to the power of community and the strength we find when we lift each other up.
A new generation
To those who say: ‘Well, in my time…’ – we are not in your time anymore. We’re not even in my time anymore. The industry is changing, and that should be something to celebrate.
The new generation values work-life balance. They refuse to tolerate 12-hour shifts as the norm. They are rewriting the rules, and instead of resisting, we need to adapt alongside them. That doesn’t mean abandoning our core values; it means evolving while holding onto what makes this profession great.
But then, there is a special breed of woman in this industry. The ones who are not just here for the pay check. The ones who are driven by purpose. The empaths, the healers, the ones who want to help people. These are the women we must fight to keep. They don’t stay for the money alone; they stay for the challenge, the recognition, and the inspiration they get from working alongside other brilliant technicians.
I know this because I am one of those women.
So, if we want to bring more women into this industry – if we want to keep them here – we need to create workplaces where they can thrive. Where they can be heard. Where they can grow. That is how we build a future for dental technology that is not just sustainable but truly inspiring.
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