Origins
The profession of dentistry continues to evolve, and so does the gender balance that makes up the dentist population. Starting off as a male-dominated profession, dentistry is witnessing a surge in women access to and graduation from dental schools. Women are also opting to specialize and enter organized dentistry and private practice in larger numbers.
Women in Dentistry: Work. Life. Balance is dedicated to bringing together women in the dental field to network, share, and learn from each other’s unique perspectives. Through regular events and initiatives, we strive to mentor and empower one another by sharing experiences, knowledge and expertise limited not only to the clinical aspect of dentistry, but also to the business management aspect while relating this to balance with a successful social and family life.
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Why Yin & Yang?
Work and life, similar to yin and yang, may sometimes seem like opposite or conflicting forces. However, upon closer look, the two actually complement and interconnect with one another.
Our mission at Women in Dentistry is to help guide and empower women in the dentistry field, and to build a community that strives to achieve a healthy balance between our work and our personal lives.
Founder of Women in Dentistry
Dr. Effie Habsha
Effrat (Effie) Habsha, BSc, DDS, Dip. Prostho., MSc, FRCDC
Dr. Effie Habsha is the Founder of Women in Dentistry: Work. Life. Balance. She is extremely passionate about empowering women in the dental field and developed Women in Dentistry-an organization powered by women-for women.
Speakers & Contributors
Elyte Barzilay
BSc, MBA, INHC, RHN
Elyte Barzilay is a Registered Holistic Nutrition and an Integrative Nutrition Health Coach, and has a background in psychology and marketing as well. She is passionate about creating customized health protocols for clients that address individualized concerns. She is the creator of the Soft-Foods Diet, a nutrition system designed for dental professionals.
Dr. Lesley David
DDS, Dip. OMFS, FRCDC
Dr. Lesley David is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who maintains a private practice in Toronto. She is an Associate Clinician at the University of Toronto in the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Clinic, a Fellow and past examiner of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada, and is on staff at the Mt. Sinai Hospital and The Trillium Hospital.
Cheryl Ferrer
Clinical Division Manager & Level II Dental Assistant
Cheryl Ferrer joined Prosthodontic Associates in 2010. She attended the George Brown College/Ryerson University Accounting program but traded in her pencil and paper for some alginate and an impression tray.
Mariela Gonzalez
Office Manager
Mariela Gonzalez has worked as the Office Manager for Prosthodontic Associates since 1999. She was then promoted to Business Manager in 2005 upon her return from maternity leave and is currently responsible in overseeing Prosthodontic Associates.
Dr. Tracey Hendler
BA, DDS, MsD, Cert. Ortho, FRCDC, Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontists
Dr. Tracey Hendler was born in Toronto and practices at the orthodontic practice (Forest Hill Orthodontics) where she received treatment at the age of 12. Tracey completed her DDS degree at the University of Toronto and then fulfilled her dream of living in New York City while completing her orthodontics degree at Rutgers University.
JoAnn Lauterbach
Communication Specialist
JoAnn is convinced that when more people clearly communicate with courage and confidence, more people will thrive. This is why she works individually with professionals eager to improve their ability to message and influence others.
Dr. Sally Safa
BA, DDS, MSc (Perio), FRCD(C)
Dr. Sally Safa is a board certified Periodontist and alumnus of the University of Toronto. She has been a clinical instructor at the Faculty of Dentistry for many years.
Dr. Reena Talwar
Dr. Talwar is a certified specialist in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and has a PhD in Biomedical Science. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto in 1990 and her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio in 1994. After graduating from Dental School,...