What is this about?
- WIN is here to address gender imbalance in implant dentistry by increasing the visibility, participation, and leadership of women in the field.
- The approach is to empower and support women through education, mentorship, and networking opportunities that foster professional growth and confidence.
- The goal is to enhance innovation and patient care by promoting diverse perspectives and inclusive collaboration within the implantology community.
By equipping women with the tools, confidence, and support to excel, WIN enables them to step into roles as thought leaders, educators, innovators, and business owners within implant dentistry.
Context
Women in Dentistry: Current trends. The presence of women in dental education and the workforce is growing, still gender disparities in dental specializations and leadership are ongoing. Learn how the Women Implantology Network (WIN) is driving positive change globally.
Women dentists: Changing the face of dentistry. Women now make up nearly half of all dental students worldwide. Historically, women were excluded from the dental profession due to deep-rooted gender biases. Over time, reforms in legislation, education, and social norms have enabled women to emerge as leaders in dentistry globally.
The Women in Implantology (WIN) initiative was created to address the gender gap in the field of dental implantology and to actively promote the involvement and advancement of women in this specialized area of dentistry. Launched in 2016 by the Straumann Group as a global leader in implant, restorative, and regenerative dentistry, WIN is more than just a networking platform—it is a movement dedicated to fostering inclusion, empowering women, and driving excellence in implantology.
1. Bridging the gender gap in implantology
Although women now represent a growing share of dental school graduates and general dental practitioners worldwide, their presence in implantology—particularly in positions of leadership, research, and education—remains disproportionately low. WIN was established to recognize and address this underrepresentation, helping to ensure that women are equally seen, heard, and valued within the implantology community.
2. Creating opportunities for growth and leadership
One of the central goals of WIN is to create pathways for professional development. The initiative provides access to:
- High-level educational programs and training
- Mentorship from experienced clinicians
- Speaking opportunities at conferences and events
- Platforms for publishing and research collaboration
By equipping women with the tools, confidence, and support to excel, WIN enables them to step into roles as thought leaders, educators, innovators, and business owners within implant dentistry.
3. Enhancing diversity to improve outcomes
Diversity in healthcare, including gender diversity, has been shown to lead to more innovative ideas, better team dynamics, and improved patient outcomes. WIN supports this principle by promoting diverse voices in implantology. Including more women in research, product development, and clinical decision-making brings valuable perspectives that contribute to better, more inclusive solutions for patients.
4. Building a supportive global community
WIN fosters a strong sense of community, collaboration, and mutual support among its members. It brings together women from around the world who share a passion for implantology, encouraging them to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and inspire one another. Through both online and in-person events, WIN strengthens networks that might otherwise be difficult to form, especially for women in male-dominated specialties.
5. Driving long-term change in the industry
The long-term vision of WIN is to create systemic change in the implantology field by breaking down barriers, challenging stereotypes, and setting new standards for equity and representation. By shining a spotlight on accomplished women in the industry and offering role models for the next generation, WIN helps reshape the narrative around who leads and innovates in dental implantology.
- Straumann WIN is here to empower women, address gender imbalances, and foster a more inclusive, innovative, and successful implantology community.
- It's not just about equality but unlocking the full potential of the dental profession by ensuring everyone has a seat at the table.