Dentsply Sirona

www.dentsplysirona.com

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Dentsply Sirona

Wed. 9 April 2025

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In today’s interconnected world, networking is crucial for personal and professional success because building strong relationships, fostering meaningful connections and leveraging opportunities open doors to new possibilities. It is this very point that Dr Chanelle Small, a leading endodontist and owner of Midtown Endodontics in New York in the US, emphasises in her advice to young dentists. For over 13 years, Dr Small has balanced private practice, motherhood, expert witness work and community health projects for the underserved. As part of Dentsply Sirona’s Black History Month celebration in February, Melanie Jenkins, global director of inclusion and engagement at the company, spoke with Dr Small about her passion for diversity and inclusion and discussed her dedication to reshaping the narrative in dentistry and inspiring others to pursue their dreams.

Dr Small, were there any mentors that helped you advance your career?
There are too many to name. I’ve had mentors who helped me at different stages of my career. Some guided me with technical skills, while others helped me with interpersonal skills.

Is there any advice you would like to share on advocating for oneself?
You have to put yourself out there and speak up. Maintaining contact with people is essential. It doesn’t have to be every day. It could be once a quarter—just checking in with a simple “Hello, I just wanted to let you know what I’m up to. I’m thinking about buying a practice or hiring a new employee. What are your thoughts?” Putting yourself out there, maintaining relationships and always being professional and pleasant is key.

Don’t be afraid to reach out. Most people genuinely want to help; they just need to know that you want their help. Just recently, I was in contact with a young woman from my sorority who was interested in dentistry. I invited her to my dental office, and about a year later, she reached out again, saying she was taking a semester off and asked if I knew anyone who might need a dental assistant or receptionist. I reached out to my network to find out if anyone was interested. I believe in advocating for younger people and those following in my footsteps if I know that they need support.

You recently participated in our speaker development programme in partnership with the National Dental Association. Why was it important for you to be part of this initiative?
As an endodontist, I understand the technical aspects of dentistry. I also know the fundamentals of lecturing. However, I needed to refine my soft skills in public speaking. Janice Hurley from Dentsply Sirona, a phenomenal coach with years of experience in the dental industry, helped me develop those skills. She taught me how to structure my presentations, layer examples without overwhelming the audience and ensure that every point I make serves a purpose.

We’ve previously discussed the importance of continuing to develop one’s skill set. Would you recommend the speaker development programme for this?
The coaching aspect of the programme is valuable at any stage of one’s career. Over time, participants will also acquire technical skills, but developing a confident mindset early on is crucial. This programme helps participants refine their thought processes and presentation skills. Gaining these abilities early can significantly accelerate career growth. You don’t need ten years of experience to start speaking and sharing knowledge; taking advantage of opportunities from the outset is beneficial.

As an African American woman dentist, how do you see your role in shaping representation in the profession, and how has that affected your patients and community?
The majority of dentists are neither people of colour nor women. As an African American woman, I am helping to change that narrative. Many patients actively seek out providers that they can relate to, and I am grateful to be that person for them. I take pride in shifting perspectives and making a meaningful impact in my own way.

“I take pride in shifting perspectives and making a meaningful impact.”

For those currently exploring career options, is there any advice you would give them?
I would advise them to gain hands-on experience in the different areas and specialties that they are interested in. It’s perfectly fine if they then realise that they don’t enjoy a particular field—it’s better to know before investing time and money in further education. Go online, research different career paths and see where you might fit in. It may not be in your neighbourhood. You may have to take a train or bus for an hour. That’s OK too. I’ve done it, and many others have too. The key is to get your foot in the door in a meaningful way.

What legacy do you hope to leave in dentistry for future generations?
I want everyone to know that they can achieve their goals, whatever they may be. Success requires hard work, dedication and perseverance—qualities that outweigh natural intelligence. You don’t have to be an “A” student to succeed. Consistency, persistence and showing up make all the difference.

One of my guiding principles is never to disqualify myself. Let someone else eliminate me. If there’s a programme that I want to apply for, I don’t tell myself I won’t get in just because I might not meet all the qualifications. I let the decision makers decide.

Put yourself out there. Be consistent, persistent, dedicated and diligent. If I can do it, so can you.