Dentist Zerrin Tüfekçi in Ankara Life Magazine

"We are not female dentists. We are only humans?.and only dentists."

Throughout history, the field of medical care has often been thought of as a male-dominated profession; yet, nowadays, plenty of women pursue careers in the healthcare sector. Dentists who are female are no longer regarded as female dentists, but simply as dentists. The inclusion of the word female or male is not necessary as an identifier. Dentists are simply medical professionals and human beings.

In the past, oftentimes men would select male physicians while women and children would choose to visit female doctors. The prevailing thought, a woman cannot extract a tooth" lingered.  Sometimes, female dentists were mistakenly referred to as sir. Some people believed female physicians could only work under the supervision of a male doctor. During the 20th Century, the concept of a female dentist establishing and managing a large clinic, or even franchising one, was rare.

Encountering such gender stereotypes in the working world was a surprise for those of us who attended schools and universities where no distinction between gender was mentioned. No one called an individual a female student or a male student, but simply a student. We are all students and all human beings. No gender annotation related to one's mind, ability to learn, or labor. It was only after completing education and beginning a professional life that many medical personnel who happened to be female experienced some measure of discrimination.

In many occupational fields, not only in Türkiye but also around the world, a tendency to masculinize various professions exists, almost like a power struggle between females and males. The idea that a female who has attained her professional proficiency and has her own freedom and lifestyle often impacts the masculine image. This attitude of male-dominated or female-dominated professions oppresses and injures those who seek to assign a gender role to a specific occupation.

The soul accommodates both "woman" and "man" together; yet this balance is often disregarded. When the male soul meets the "woman" in himself, he tends to regard it as a deficiency, weakness, or mistake. The female spirit, on the other hand, often views the concept of possessing both masculine and feminine characteristics as a part of being a well-rounded and capable individual. For men, this attitude of masculinization may inhibit one's professional potential.

As a dental professional for many years now, and as a female, I realize that becoming a mother has made a substantial difference in my approach to the physician-patient relationship and the patient recovery process. For a physician, it is crucial to remember that even the smallest intervention in the body is a trauma. The effective physician not only treats the physical trauma, but also connects with the patient in spirit. Trauma is treated not only in the treatment phase, but as part of the healing/recovery phase. The physician-patient connection is a nurturing relationship which both male and female doctors may possess. A male may have a maternal spirit just as a woman may have a fatherly spirit because feelings have no gender. Professions have no gender. Perhaps it is us as individuals who masculinize and feminize feelings and professions. It is time to embrace the humanness in ourselves and acknowledge the human as a whole entity.

Perceptions have changed in recent years, as we, women, labor in our profession. Our labor does not include gender differences, but only humanity. Physicians who are women serve both males and females; no one refers to us as sir. Female doctors own and/or manage offices and clinical chains. Within the realm of dentistry, digital developments have gained importance and physician-patient communication has come to the forefront.  Comfort zones that were once considered "emotional", such as compassion or empathy, are necessary to meet the needs of patients. Dentists are now viewed as human performing a service, instead of simply female or male. When a patient sits in dental chair, trust in us as a dental professional and a human are of utmost importance, not whether one is male or female.

If we continue to believe in labor and people, despite everything, we can persevere in our hope and beliefs of a better future for all humankind.  

Happy International Women's Day to males and females.