Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Women’s Entrepreneurship and the Struggle in Dentistry!
Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Women’s Entrepreneurship and the Struggle in Dentistry!
“Women do not just establish businesses; they bring trust, stability, and sensitivity into the system.”
The Journey of a Woman Entrepreneur
Being a woman in the business world is, in itself, a story of entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship requires courage, balance, sacrifice, and relentless determination. Yet, in the healthcare sector, women entrepreneurs navigate not only through knowledge and skill, but through an invisible layer of resistance. Because one major obstacle still stands in front of women: the glass ceiling.
A Story Beginning on Konur Street
My story began in a small 40-square-meter clinic on Ankara’s Konur Street. One day, a local shopkeeper brought his wife and children to me for treatment yet said he would see a male dentist for himself. When I asked “Why?”, he responded, “Can a female dentist extract a tooth? I’m afraid.” I smiled and replied, “Tooth extraction is not about strength, it’s about technique.” That day, I realized I would not only treat patients but also heal many deep-rooted prejudices.
The First Strike on the Glass Ceiling
Starting my own clinic came with many challenges – securing financing, earning trust, learning to manage a business. But the real test began when I recognized the presence of the invisible glass ceiling. Behind every statement that claims to support women in business, there is always a silent question lingering: “Can a woman really do it?”. This quiet doubt has also delayed trust in female dentists for years. Yet we, as women in dentistry, receive the same education, put in the same effort, and offer the same meticulous care. What makes a difference in dentistry is not gender- it is the trust we build with people.
“Does Your Husband Support You?”
One of the toughest moments in my entrepreneurial journey was securing the initial investment. My family insisted, “Work in government institution-at least the salary is stable”. But I was determined to open my own clinic. During funding applications, the question I heard most was: “You are opening a clinic? Does your husband or family support you?”. This reflected a subconscious societal bias. Yet entrepreneurship is not about gender – it is about vision and courage.
Women’s Resilience in Healthcare
Keeping a clinic running requires not just capital but continuity. Economic fluctuations, foreign currency-dependent material cost, rising staff expanses… But in dentistry, compromises are never an option because human health is at the center of everything. This is where the greatest strength of women entrepreneurs reveals itself: patience, consistency, and sustainability.
New Graduates and a Shrinking Sector
In recent years, the rapid increase in dentistry faculties in Türkiye has created a new challenge: thousands of graduates enter an increasingly crowded field every year. When competition shifts from quality to quantity, both professional ethics and economic balance are strained. This is why I aimed not only to grow my own clinic but also to build a working culture that inspires younger colleagues. Because true success is not just standing strong – it’s opening pathways for others.
More Than Just a Clinic
Managing aa healthcare institution is unlike running any other type of business. It’s not only about patient satisfaction; ethics, human resources, regulations, and quality management are equally essential. Every decision carries medical, administrative, and human implications. Maintaining this balance requires long working hours, constant learning, and above all – perseverance.
Breaking the Glass Ceiling
Looking back today, I see that every challenge has made me more resilient. Breaking the glass ceiling rarely happens with a single strike; it happens through patience and repeated effort. First, I believed in myself. Then those around me believed in me. And eventually, the ceiling became less visible.
Women do not just establish businesses; they bring trust, stability, and sensitivity into the system. My entrepreneurial journey is not only the story of a clinic, but of women’s labor, resilience, and professionalism striving to be seen. And I know this story is not mine alone-it belongs to every woman who touches that ceiling, cracks it, and ultimately lets the light pour through.
