pEDİMENTOR
PediMentor Program
Dear Colleagues,
As the Association of Pediatric Dentists (ÇDHD), we are pleased to launch the ÇDHD PediMentor Program, an initiative designed to strengthen the exchange of professional experience and establish a sustainable network of professional development across generations.
Through the PediMentor Program, we aim to create a structured mentoring environment in which experienced pediatric dentists can share their knowledge and expertise with younger colleagues, based on the principles of trust, voluntary participation, confidentiality, and professional ethics.
PediMentor is more than a platform for transferring professional knowledge. It is a model of professional solidarity built on shared reflection, mutual growth, and continuous development. While mentors contribute their experience and insights, mentees will have the opportunity to define their goals, explore available options, and make more informed decisions about their professional journeys.
Areas of Mentorship
Mentor and mentee applicants may select one or more of the following areas according to their interests and professional development needs:
Academic career planning
Thesis development and scientific research
Preparation of scientific articles, conference presentations, and research projects
Clinical decision-making and case management
Patient and parent communication
Clinical practice and dental office management
Career opportunities following specialty training
Professional experiences in academia, public healthcare, and private practice
Professional communication and leadership
Work–life balance
Ethical and legal considerations in professional practice
National and international professional development opportunities
Who Can Become a Mentor?
Members with at least 10 years of active professional experience in pediatric dentistry who are willing to share their knowledge and expertise with younger colleagues are eligible to apply as mentors.
Mentors are expected to:
Participate in the program voluntarily.
Commit to the full 12-month mentoring period.
Meet with their assigned mentee at least once a month.
Adhere to the principles of confidentiality, impartiality, and professional ethics.
Support mentees in identifying their own goals and solutions rather than making decisions on their behalf.
Attend a brief mentor training session before the program begins.
Contribute to interim assessments and end-of-program feedback activities.
Who Can Become a Mentee?
The program welcomes applications from:
Dentists currently enrolled in pediatric dentistry specialty training programs.
Dentists pursuing doctoral (PhD) or master's degree programs in pediatric dentistry.
Pediatric dentists who have recently completed their specialty training or doctoral education.
Pediatric dentists seeking guidance from experienced colleagues in academic, clinical, or professional development.
There are no age restrictions or minimum or maximum professional experience requirements for mentee applicants.
Mentees are expected to:
Participate voluntarily and actively in the program.
Prepare for mentoring meetings.
Clearly communicate their goals and professional development needs.
Meet with their mentor at least once a month.
Follow through on agreed objectives and activities.
Remain open to constructive feedback.
Respect their mentor's time and professional boundaries.
Adhere to confidentiality and professional ethical principles.
Participate in interim and final program evaluations.
How Will the Program Work?
Mentor–mentee matching will be coordinated by the PediMentor Coordination Team, taking into consideration mentors' areas of expertise, mentees' priority development needs, participants' expectations, and scheduling availability.
The program will operate according to the following principles:
The mentoring period will last 12 months.
Mentors and mentees will meet at least once per month.
Meetings may be conducted online or in person.
Each meeting is recommended to last approximately 45–60 minutes.
Meeting schedules and formats will be determined jointly by mentors and mentees.
Interim evaluations will be conducted throughout the program, followed by a comprehensive evaluation at the end of the mentoring period.
At the conclusion of the 12-month period, the existing mentoring relationship will formally end. Participants may be matched with different mentors or mentees in subsequent program cycles.
Before the matching process begins, mentors will be invited to attend a brief training and orientation session covering:
The roles and responsibilities of a mentor
Active listening
Effective questioning techniques
Constructive feedback
Goal setting
Confidentiality
Professional boundaries
Managing expectations
Professional Boundaries and Confidentiality
The PediMentor Program is not intended to function as an on-demand clinical consultation service, psychological therapy, legal advisory service, or employment placement program.
Mentors will not make decisions on behalf of mentees. Instead, they will support mentees in identifying their goals, evaluating available options, and making independent, well-informed professional decisions.
All personal and professional information shared during mentoring sessions will remain confidential.
To protect patient privacy, no information, documents, or images that could reveal a patient's identity may be shared during mentoring activities.
Join the PediMentor Program
Mentorship is not simply about telling a colleague what to do; it is about supporting them as they discover their own path with greater confidence, clarity, and purpose.
If you would like to inspire and guide younger colleagues through your professional experience, we warmly invite you to apply as a mentor.
If you wish to reflect, learn, and grow alongside an experienced colleague throughout your professional journey, we encourage you to apply as a mentee.
Application Deadline: October 15, 2027
For questions or further information, please contact us at:
cocukdishekimleridernegi@gmail.com
We would be delighted to welcome you to this professional development network, where knowledge, experience, and solidarity come together to strengthen the future of pediatric dentistry.
Sincerely,
Association of Pediatric Dentists (ÇDHD)
ÇDHD PediMentor Program Coordination Team
