Women in DSO: Powering dentistry’s future

For two energizing days in Las Vegas this month, Women in DSO brought together leaders from across the dental industry for a powerful mix of learning, networking, and connection. From candid conversations about leadership and mentorship to forward-looking discussions on innovation and inclusion, attendees shared a common theme: The collective strength of women continues to shape the future of dentistry. The following reflections capture the insight, inspiration, and sense of community that defined this year’s gathering.

Dr. Aman Kaur, founder and CEO of Women in DSO
 
Dr. Aman Kaur.

"Over the past few years, Women in DSO has evolved from a community focused on elevating women leaders to a global platform for collaboration across the entire dental ecosystem. What has been most exciting is seeing the demand grow not only from women but also from men across the industry who recognize the value of diverse leadership and are actively seeking to participate in and support this movement.
 
“As the DSO landscape continues to expand and transform dentistry through scale, technology, and innovation, we are also seeing increasing interest from leaders around the world who want to build stronger leadership pipelines and more inclusive organizations. Our global expansion reflects a broader recognition that advancing women in leadership ultimately strengthens the entire industry.
 
“The mission of Women in DSO remains simple but powerful: to create a community where leaders across dentistry can learn from one another, mentor the next generation of dentists and dental leaders, and work together to elevate the profession and improve care for the millions of patients our industry serves."

Maria Davlantes, CEO of Dentive

“Over the course of a few powerful days, and then again on International Women’s Day, I was reminded of the impact of women leaders.  Standing on stage, the energy in the room was electric, but importantly, it was supportive. From meaningful conversations to moments of mentorship, both on and off stage, it was inspiring to see and feel the deep commitment to professional and personal development that was evident.

Maria Davlantes.

“I especially wanted to encourage early-career attendees to find their voice. This is about being willing to share your thoughts or raise your hand. Equally as important, I wanted to encourage the established leaders in the room to cultivate those on their teams to do so. I have often found that it is the quietest person in the room who has the best idea that propels us forward. By inviting voices into the conversation, we can access untapped potential.

“Simply put, Women in DSO provided a unique environment, one that curated the best of dental conferences with leadership and personal development. I was grateful for the opportunity to connect with so many leaders across dentistry and DSOs who are driving progress and purpose.” 

Emma Cifuentes, chief operating officer of Progressive Dental Management 

“Participating in two Women in DSO panels focused on technology and KPIs for groups under 50 locations was a powerful reminder of the impact happening behind the scenes.

Emma Cifuentes.

“As a COO, I focus on execution, accountability, and building strong teams that sustain long-term success. This experience reinforced that while systems and strategy matter, people ultimately move an organization ahead.

“Women often lead that charge, supported by exceptional teams and partners. I am grateful to be part of a community that continues to elevate and empower those setting a higher standard.” 

Dr. Maryam Beyramian, CEO of Westwind Integrated Health 

Dr. Maryam Beyramian.

“It was a privilege to speak at the Women in DSO event alongside a group of accomplished leaders shaping the business side of dentistry. As a practicing dentist and owner of a private dental group, my perspective has always been grounded in building and leading from the clinical side, growing something independently on my own terms, and staying closely connected to patient care.

“The conversations were a valuable reminder that there are many paths to leadership in this space and that diversity of background strengthens the industry. A particularly meaningful moment was seeing my daughter recognized as a next-generation leader while paving her path through dental school, an experience that underscored both how far this profession has come and the opportunity ahead for those who choose to lead in their own way.” 

Dee Fischer, CEO of Fischer’s Professional Group 

Dee Fischer.

"As a past Women in DSO Leadership Award winner, it is amazing to see how much this organization has grown. I mentor a lot of female leaders in our industry, both formally and informally, and know that the next generation will do great things for our profession. I’m looking forward to seeing what will happen in the next 10 years and beyond."

Shawna Eury, DSO operations executive 

“As an industry veteran who started as a patient service representative and has been an executive with DSOs overseeing up to 140 practices, what stood out to me was how all of these amazing women leaders from every corner of the country came together to support, collaborate, and encourage each other.  

Shawna Eury.

“We enjoyed sharing our best practices. My favorite part was learning how so many are integrating AI into their practices, from recruiting to answering patient calls to analyzing x-rays. It’s groundbreaking to hear how AI is changing dentistry to help us be more efficient and enhance the patient experience.

“I also enjoyed meeting so many new members and first-time Women in DSO conference-goers this year. This conference is one of my favorites, and it continues to grow year over year.”

Caitlin Waters, marketing and program manager at Women in DSO 

“My journey with Women in DSO has been an incredible one. I first became involved on the advisory board through my previous role at a DSO organization, and over time, I found myself wanting to get more involved with the mission. In 2023, I had the opportunity to speak at Empower and Grow, which was my first time speaking on a stage that large and a moment I will always remember.
 
Caitlin Waters.

“The following year I was honored to receive the Rising Star award, which recognizes emerging leaders making a difference in their organizations and communities through Women in DSO. Around that same time, I joined Women in DSO full time. As I approach my two-year anniversary with the organization, it has been inspiring to see how much the community and its impact have grown.
 
“In just five years, Women in DSO has expanded beyond the U.S. into Canada, the United Kingdom, and Europe, creating more opportunities for mentorship, leadership development, and meaningful collaboration across the dental industry. Seeing those connections come to life and experiencing that energy in person at events like Empower and Grow is incredibly special and a powerful reminder of how important it is to continue investing in the next generation of leaders.” 

Carrie Millar, VP of Development at Dentist Insurance Services 
 
Carrie Millar.

“While the entire event was very uplifting, the mentor breakfast stood out to me the most. It is a room full of different women at different points in their career and different experiences who come together to help each other rise.  
 
“At this breakfast, Julianne O'Connor, host of the podcast 'Influential Dental,' challenged us to see our future in three years and then map out that future.
 
“That led us to identify and overcome the hurdles that are stopping us from becoming our best version of ourselves.”

Brittany Luckenbaugh, senior account executive at Planet DDS

Brittany Luckenbaugh.

"Honestly, attending Women in DSO for the first time was a really special experience for me. I basically grew up in this industry. My dad has been in dental since I was a little girl. Before that, my grandmother and great-grandmother were in the industry. So being in the same room with so many incredible women and leaders in the industry meant a lot to me. 

"The conference felt different than any conference I’ve attended before. The conversations were so meaningful, everyone was uplifting, and so many amazing women got on stage and shared their stories, including both the challenges they’ve faced and the wins they’ve been able to celebrate along the way. 

As a single mom, I know how much balance and determination it takes to show up fully in your career while also being fully present at home, so being in a room full of women doing that in their own ways and hearing what it took for them to get there was incredibly inspiring and empowering."

Creating connections beyond the conference 

Dozens of women leaders volunteer their time monthly to hosting webinars, writing articles, and sharing their best practices for achieving success both professionally and personally. Unlike other annual events, Women in DSO has created a movement designed to help nurture career progression for multiple tracks, including clinical, operations, and business leadership.

Beth Gaddis is the editor in chief at Planet DDS, a dental technology company specializing in cloud-based practice management systems, digital imaging, and dental marketing services. Previously, Gaddis was the marketing director for two large dental service organizations. Prior to entering the dental industry, Gaddis was a journalist for 16 years in a variety of roles, including as a TV news producer at the CBS affiliate in Boston. You can connect with Gaddis on LinkedIn.

The comments and observations expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DrBicuspid.com, nor should they be construed as an endorsement or admonishment of any particular idea, vendor, or organization.