Kathleen O'Loughlin, DMD, executive director for the American Dental Association, described her career journey and the future of women in the industry during a March 8 video.
Four key takeaways:
1. Dr. O'Loughlin's school guidance counselor told her she basically had three career choices: a nurse, teacher or secretary. On the other hand, Dr. O'Loughlin's mother said, "Be whatever you want to be. Set your own limits."
2. Dr. O'Loughlin started dental school and was one of about 14 women in a class of 165. The women supported each other, but "we felt like we had to be smarter, work harder, because if we were just as good, we weren't good enough," the dentist said.
3. The first female class president for Boston-based Tufts School of Dental Medicine, Dr. O'Loughlin missed her 1981 graduation to give birth to her son.
4. "It's just been a joy to watch women ascend in the profession," Dr. O'Loughlin said, noting the remarkable ability female dentists have to break through the glass ceiling that's prevented a lot of women through different careers from rising to the top.