What inspired you to become part of the dental profession?
I have always been fact oriented. I like science and math, and I was good at working with my hands. My family dentist, the late Dr. Williams B. Tillis, also was very helpful. I would ask him questions such as how long it took to study, what type of preparation I would need, the mental and physical challenges of the profession. Back then I had no female role models -- only 2 percent of women were dentists. My father thought I was crazy. Today 41 percent of the first-year dental class at Howard University are women. The numbers are changing, much like medicine.

How long have you been involved in the profession?
Most of my adult life.

What is your specialty, and how did you get there?
After I graduated from dental school, I taught prosthodontics, focused on adults and aging populations at Howard University. I needed to complete advanced studies so I could become a researcher, which requires a doctorate level of training where you learn the strategies and techniques that goes into scientific reporting. I wanted to participate in both patient care and do the research to generate new knowledge.

In 1974, after becoming the associate dean at Howard, I decided to take a sabbatical to develop an adolescent dental curriculum. I believed this was an area that needed research and attention. So I completed a pediatric residency at Children's Hospital, where I was able to interface with the adolescent medicine program. I wrote the curriculum, but was never able to implement it at Howard. I still think it's an area that needs to be looked at. At the adolescent stage, there is so much happening not only biologically, but socially and economically that impacts oral health, particularly as an individual transitions into adulthood. So much happens in teen years, and we don't have a handle on this. They are critical years because of rapid growth and development. Also people are living longer and are retaining their teeth longer. We need to provide services and education earlier.

I remember when I was first in dental school, people would ask to have their teeth pulled. Today people want to retain their teeth; they want to keep their beautiful smiles. Even people in their 50s and beyond are getting orthodontic treatment because they might not have had money in their earlier years.

Oral health is directly related to systemic health. The mouth is an organ that is responsible for speech, taste, swallowing, the first stages of digestion.

With the American Dental Education Association, I focus on two primary areas:

• Diversity and access, ensuring that minorities have access to careers in dentistry. We have established a pipeline concept for K-12 students, as well as undergraduates. I focus on minority recruitment and retention.
   
• Women's affairs, to increase the number of women entering the profession. I work to make sure that women don't have barriers to advancement and to show that women are a human resource that can benefit the profession.

Women bring intelligence and energy to the profession. They are goal oriented, compassionate and have an eye for beauty. From an aesthetic point of view (we spend billions on beauty care a year), it's easy for women to understand the needs of others and see what has to be done.

What was your role like as the first woman dean of a dental school?
It was very challenging. My race wasn't the barrier. It was more of the mental barrier with the men in the field. I was not a colleague with them, which made it difficult. They had to deal with this odd woman. Fortunately now there are nine women deans at 56 dental schools across the country.

How do you address health care disparities among minority populations within your profession?
When I was the dean at Howard University, we provided care to those patients who couldn't pay or could only minimally pay. We provided outreach programs in the community and at elementary schools; we held health fairs and provided a full range of dental treatment to underserved populations.

What do you like best about working in the field?
I like the opportunity to share resources with individuals in need; to be able to interface and collaborate with other associations, such as the National Dental Association and the Hispanic Dental Association, which allow us to get our work done. I like the opportunity to develop junior faculty and serve as a mentor to others. I am passionate about dental students. I like the opportunity to see the big picture and help people see how they can move into a changing and dynamic health system.

What, if any, barriers or challenges have you personally had to overcome?
Time and major resources. I am involved with 14 different programs at one time, plus dealing with international and national conferencing, serving as a liaison to students and deans. I am either in meetings or traveling or writing or reporting or researching data or talking on the phone or working on grants or talking to deans.

What are the greatest challenges within the profession?
The biggest challenge has been getting resources to schools so they can meet their missions and objectives.

What are your proudest accomplishments in your profession? In your life?
The management and oversight during my 16 years as dean. I left the university program fully accredited and that was a major accomplishment. In my life, it's my loving and caring marriage with Dr. Stanley Sinkford and my family.

Who is/are your role model(s) or mentor(s)?
The late Russell Dixon, who was the dean of the School of Dentistry, was one of my mentors. I was able to participate in a fellowship opportunity because he made contact with a trustee who established the Louise Ball Fund at Howard University.

What are your plans for the future?
I see myself at the beach relaxing and doing nothing. I hope to be useful as long as there is a need for expertise and advice on the transitioning and changing needs of the profession. I'd also like to place more focus on bioethics and cultural competency, and teach graduates the importance of treating those who are medically compromised and who lack access to care.

What words of wisdom do you have for students just graduating?
You are entering a marvelous profession. There are many opportunities to practice in different ways -- general practice, specialties, research, public health and education. The parameters are emerging that require oral health to be part of general health.

I see it as a broadening profession where we are reaching more individuals. We have a moral and serious commitment to assure care to those who can't get it. This has to take place with systemic changes. We need to change the delivery system and continue to collaborate with our allies, such as the dental assistants and hygienists.

What do you like to do in your spare time?
Reading, swimming and travelling. I'd like to go back to Maui and hope to get to Italy. I find I spend most of my time reading other resources about oral health. I had the opportunity to go to South Africa as a consultant to the World Health Organization to meet with South African dental deans to share advice on forming an organization such as ADEA where they could pool their resources and share their faculty. It was one of the most exciting experiences that I have had. I was able to make a direct impact because they did form their association. It was a unique experience at the right time, and I had the right message.