In The Media

Hi everyone, welcome to today’s show. Right, and today we’re going to be uh discussing with Dr.Reena to talk about beyond the drill, life lessons from a successful mreneur. All right.
And uh with me here is uh Dr. Reena, please introduce yourself.
Hello everyone. Thank you Dr.Linda for inviting me tonight. It’s such a pleasure to have this candid discussion with you.
Uh my name is Dr. Reena Cotcha and I’m a general dentist practicing in Missaga for the last 23 years or so.
Awesome. Thank you and welcome to the show.
Pleasure. Yeah.
And for those that are watching do stay to the end and throughout this session if you have any question that you would like me to ask her, please drop it as a comment. I’m going to see it and I’ll pick it up from there.
And u if you’re watching this as a replay uh do stay to the end and listen to the questions others even had to ask and the responses that she gives or she gives. Right.
So uh back to the topic which is beyond the drill life lessons from a successful mreneur. Of course Dr.
Reena already mentioned she’s a dentist. Dr.
Reena over to you. What inspired you to pursue dentistry?
Yeah thank you Dr. Linda.
Um, you know, I mentioned that I am a general dentist, but I’m also a mother of two lovely children. Uh, my son, Arman, he’s turning 12 this year, and my daughter Malika, she’s turning 17.
So, yes, I’ve been through that journey of motherhood, still going through the journey of motherhood and and a businesswoman at the same time for a while now. Um I remember when I was in undergrad I always thought that you know um I was always motivated by sciences.
I loved science and math and I knew that do something related to that and in healthcare. So I actually explored a few options before picking dentistry.
I actually applied to optometry schools, pharmacy schools and dental schools where I set for the entrance examinations while I was trying to see how what I was going to do. Mhm.
And I always wanted to be a medical doctor, but back in the day in the ’9s, there was a very popular show ER, you know, the doctor’s ER and we always used to watch as uh uh as friends in during my college years on Thursday evenings and in the show they show doctors as the ER docs always, you know, running around and being on call and I thought that’s what doctors did. So I didn’t have the guidance.
I said, “No, I want a 9-to-five job. I don’t want to work nights.
So, um, I think I’m going to apply to other schools.” And then finally, I decided on dentistry because I actually shadowed a female dentist in town who was very gracious to allow a student uh, come and observe her. And I did that for 3 weeks.
And I I liked what I saw. And that made me decide to apply to dental school.
and I got in and that rest is history. Wow.
And you know how did that passion evolve into founding your dentistry on 10 which is your practice?
Yeah, which is my practice in Miss Saga. Um when I graduated I you know I I went to school in Boston, Massachusetts.
I went to Harvard Dental School and I did a residency program there, a GPR program. And then um I met my my spouse then um in who was in Toronto.
So I moved and when I came here I was working as an associate dentist. So, I worked in multiple practices and um one of the things I never thought would be a challenge was that I I am left-handed and I never thought that that would be a problem because in dental school we have ambidextrous chairs and you know I did my dentistry but when interviewing here for associate ships I found that they were very back then 25 years ago the chairs were not as popular to BMBB dextrous and they had right-handed chairs.
So I would have to call in from yellow pages and call in and ask if by the way do you have a left-handed operatory for me to work in because I got refused jobs. Um they would they couldn’t hire me because of the setup of the dental space.
So that was one of the reasons that got me thinking that you know what I got to have my own space where I can practice the way I want comfortably. So that was one of the decisions that led me to start looking at ownership of a practice rather than working for someone else.
Wow. You know, um, first of all, hearing that you’re left-handed to someone listening, if they’re not a dentist, it would just be like, well, some people are left-handed, some people are right-handed.
For dentistry, everything is about, you know, using your hand to drill. And most times is taught in that, you know, right-handed manner, including the setup.
So, hearing that you’re left-handed and you’re a dentist is like, exactly right. Yeah.
It was a it’s a world twisted over the wires, connections and you know left-handed people are generally we have to adapt and adjust in the world the 10% of us and we don’t think too much about it. But here yes this is very specific setup equipment and you’re also working with an assistant another person who has to also adapt to you and the patient.
So it really throws everyone off. Then they’re like no we’re not set up for that.
Sorry, we can’t hire you. Wow.
Yes. See how like from what you’re saying is how um something that can easily happen to somebody else and become the reason they they’re not even successful, you know, then became the reason you went on to build your own business.
Yes. Yes.
Yes. I never kind of thought of it that way, but yeah.
it could [ __ ] someone and it would really discourage someone to take the next step. But I was and that that frustration actually fueled me to to have my own space and build out my own area and set it up the way where I can practice.
And then I had I had a challenge when I had my left-handed setup that during maternity leave I had to find somebody who was left-handed to sit in my space. So it’s a circle and a catch.
Now I’m proud to say we have ambidextrous setup in all the rooms. So everyone can work in all the rooms all the time.
No more headaches. Wow.
That is a major challenge that you overcome that you were able to overcome. That’s awesome.
Yeah. Thank you.
Yeah. So um what are the core values for you now that drive your practice?
Mhm. Great question.
Many many values but one of the strongest values that my office my team is based on is comprehensive patient care. That’s the number one that we care take care of the patient fully.
The teeth are associated with the person. So it’s not just the teeth we treat, we treat the person.
And our mission is that every person, every patient who walks into my my clinic leaves healthier and happier than when they walked in. Because Dr.
Linda, no one likes to go see a dentist. I don’t have people raving, you know, when they’re coming.
They’re usually coming because they have some problems, some some issue. So, they’re not too happy, you know, with like a broken tooth or in pain or swelling or infection.
And nobody wants drills and needles in their mouths, but as you said, life beyond the drilling. So, we focus on healing the patient and making sure they leave out healthier and happier than when they came in.
That’s awesome. What kind of uh like specific services can someone get when they come to your dental practice practice?
Yeah, that’s a great question. Um, we are a general dentist.
We kind of have we provide all the services under one roof. Um from dental cleanings and checkups, fillings, seeing little kids to seniors and everyone in between.
We do dentures and implants, dental implants for older patients. We do crowns, bridges meaning like um like caps or veneers, cosmetics, invisalign straightening teeth, wisdom teeth removal, root canals, we we do it all in our practice.
I have myself and my two associates um who take care of different procedures for the patient. So um yeah, we are a family family uh dental office.
So we see everyone from little kids to seniors. That’s good.
So for you now, how long have you been practicing?
Yeah. Um, I graduated in 2001.
So about 24 years. 24 years now in in dentistry.
Yes, that’s a long time. Yeah.
And I and I love it. I love every day of it.
I’m I’m grateful for the opportunity. That’s lots of experience, you know, under your belt as well.
and thank you for coming today to share some of those with us. Oh, fantastic.
It’s my pleasure. Thank you.
Thank you. Sure.
Uh I also noticed that you’ve had um a lot of roles in fact leadership roles in dental associations which I know yes that’s where you are now but it will have meant you also joining those associations along the way as you were growing in your profession. So, how did your roles in various dental associations and mentorship programs influence your professional growth and the evolution of your brand?
That’s a great loaded question and years of doing this. So, yes, um, ever since I moved to Miss Saga, I, you know, continuing education is a big part of my life.
um I have at least one seminar or a course a week that I’m either teaching or learning still and you know after 25 years I’m still learning so that’s a longterm commitment and dedication to the profession and yes I was a member of several associations the Halton Peele which is the the local association Ontario dental association different study clubs being a member first networking and learning, having a sound skill set, implementing that in the practice, balancing everything. Then as you become more seasoned and as you get older that there are opportunities of mentoring others because you see the younger generation coming in and you know being open when I was younger learning from my seniors and now it feels like you know what we can help the newer graduates who are coming into their practice who are newer professionals who need guidance.
So it definitely gives me a sense of responsibility uh towards the profession and it also makes me feel proud that I have accomplished so much over these years and I am so happy and proud to share that with other professionals who are like-minded with an open mind. Yeah.
Okay. So thank you very much.
Let’s look at uh you know talking about the topic which is life lessons. Let’s start with you know balancing business and motherhood.
So as a mom and business owner, what challenges did you face when you still had little ones?
Yes, I know. I have to just rewind a little bit to when they were little and I clearly remember it’s always full of challenges.
You know the other thing um Dr. Linda, people don’t realize sometimes that mreneurs or in certain professions we don’t have the luxury of a math leave per se, like a full one year of math leave.
Um, I actually had a fivew week math leave, maternity leave. Uh, and I had a C-section both times and as soon as the doctor on the sixth week gave clearance from the doctor’s office, I went to my office to perform procedures with my baby.
So as glorious as as it may seem that you you know you are a businesswoman, you are your own boss, you have your own hours, you have the perks, but believe me all of us in some way or the other have paid our dues in our own challenges. Um, so having my kids with me in the office, changing their diapers on the dental chair, feeding them, breastfeeding them while I was still seeing patients, um, and literally having be having a crib or a play pen in the office because there was no choice.
um we’re going through all those struggles when a when a traditional mom or a mom who’s working and then gets one year off has I’m sure she has her own challenges but they don’t have to take the kids to work their babies to work like you know so it those were the challenges that we had to face that at any time if we had if the office called me I had to go and I had planned for about four months that I’ll have an associate it but that didn’t work out well like it didn’t gel well with the practice and I had calls coming in from the practice that you know Dr. we need you.
The new doctor is not able to handle uh certain cases, certain patients and we need you to come back and I had to come back to work and that happened with both the kids. So when they are little we had lots of challenges to to manage being an owner practicing dentist as well as a mom.
M now thinking about your response you know the question I have in my mind is uh what do you think allowed you to get through that phase I’ll be honest at at times it was very challenging I was disheartened discouraged in lots of tears I didn’t think I could handle it but like everything I think every phase ends at some point. So, and I wish I had that guidance, somebody to tell me that that you know what, Reena, it’s going to be okay.
This phase will end and kids do grow and then there are different phases. You know, you’re not going to be breastfeeding them forever.
Although you know that, but you don’t realize you’re so stuck in that rut and at that time everything seems very challenging. So slowing down and then handling that the challenge that was there at that time and knowing that I did the best I could.
Yeah. I I slept well at night because that was the best I could I could do.
Yeah. Yeah.
But it’s tough. Yeah.
You’ve brought up a point there which is you know even just is like just having that mindset that okay this is a phase and that also means that even when you slow down you know it is not it is not slow down forever it is slow down for this phase to get through it. Yes.
Yes. Yes.
Absolutely. Yeah.
It’s not going to be the same and as we have the conversation we’ll go through different phases of different challenges that come in that you know when yeah when little kids are dependent on you for everything I remember my husband had to bring my son 7-month-old son one day in the practice while I was practicing he’s like Vina he hasn’t had any milk and for 7 hours 8 hours cuz it’s just doesn’t take it through the spoon through the bottle, through anything. I had to to nurse him.
And I had to stop a patient and I’m like, where do I even nurse him?
It was December winter and I had to sit in my car very cold to try to feed him and he threw up on me right after and I had a patient to go to and I’m like, I’m in the moment. And yeah, you pick up, clean up, get them done, and do you do what?
Okay. So, okay.
So, can you share maybe a time where being a mom influenced a business decision or leadership approach in your practice?
Yes. Yes.
I feel that, you know, kids need their mom, their presence of the mom at all times. And I knew that I was working part-time.
I was doing the best I could. But I I also knew that I wanted to have flexible hours that would allow me to attend their concert if I had to attend a concert or a game, a a game that they were playing.
Because I remember when my daughter turned eight in her Christmas wish list, you know, there were kids who were asking for iPods and iPads or whatever the in thing was at that time. And she actually wrote a note to Santa that can my mom please attend my birthday parties and because they were on Saturdays and I would be working Saturdays.
I I worked Saturdays for you know 15 years and and that was a point where I’m like you know what no I can’t wait for my child to tell me what they need. I need to be more present and I decided to shift my hours and take more of a leadership transition into more of a leadership role where I dictate my schedule.
Uh that allows me to balance more uh being a mom as well as being a business owner. So yes, that was a time when it pivoted my thinking that I can’t do this.
I have to change as well with the changing needs of being a mom. Yeah, great.
Okay, so uh let’s look at uh many female entrepreneurs, you know, could sometimes struggle with guilt of this whole especially when the like you’re woman, you have children or maybe even newborns and then you’re also working. So there’s that guilt, right?
So how did you address or manage these feelings in your own journey?
Yes, these feelings are um very common. We all have them and it’s okay to have them.
Uh but navigating through so that it doesn’t bog you down is very important. Acknowledge that yes, you feel it, but then don’t dwell on it.
um when they are younger you tend to have more of those but as the kids get a bit older and you are communicating with them and keeping the children involved in what you’re doing was a was a big help for me cuz I have these conversations like my kids know that I’m going to be talking with the beautiful Dr. Linda today I’m having you know a conversation with her from 7 to 8 uh p.m.
um these are the courses I’m going to these are the associations I I am in these are the types of person they know what I’m doing so having that conversation and they and they are okay with it we sometimes think we feel more guilty and we take the stress that’s self-inflicted on ourselves thinking what are my kids feeling but they’re actually pretty cool and they’re fine they’re like okay mom where’d you go to okay good great So having them involved with you and uh having those conversations and actually have them asking you questions about what you do would make you feel more that they are involved with with what you or your spouse as a family what you guys are doing together. Yeah.
But they will the feelings come but then it’s okay. Yeah.
You’re doing the best you you can so Yeah. Okay.
So I’m a firm believer that uh mindset like it’s like whatever one is doing. Yeah.
Like if you have the right mindset for it then those things work but without that right mindset is like you’re going to struggle. So looking at some of the challenges you you’ve explained and the way you overcame them.
I’m wondering was there a significant mindset shift that helped you throughout this time?
Absolutely. Absolutely.
You hit the nail right on the head, uh, Dr. Linda, because the self-inflicted or sometimes you’re putting that burden, the stress in you and if you’re not ready, then no matter what the world is saying, you’re not going to change.
And for me, it was a moment where I didn’t want to be just the manager of my practice. I wanted to be the leader.
And those are two different roles in a in a business. And instead of handling the day-to-day nitty-gritty, getting pulled down, getting phone call, how do you solve this, this broke down, what to do, da da da da, I hired an office manager to have her deal with the primary uh day-to-day running of the practice.
And I assumed more of a leadership role where I I motivate I I uh I I watch from afar. They the the team reports to the office manager and the office manager reports to me as to what’s going well and what’s not and where is my help needed when things that she needs help with.
So that mindset shift and as a as a mom and as a business owner gave me so much more freedom which I didn’t realize that I I had I could have. Yeah.
Because we want to do it all. We want to wear all the hats all the time.
So it’s good to delegate. Mhm.
Where there’s suitable people to do the like the marketing. You have marketers.
You have payroll payroll people companies to do it. you know they’re office cleaners they can do it.
So different departments can be delegated and then you are just doing what you need to do makes a big difference for the practice for the team for yourself for your family. Win-win.
That’s that’s good. What do you think will be somebody’s um like for example let’s say somebody’s listening to what you’re saying now.
What could be the mindset that or the thinking that stops somebody from going this route like this route of uh becoming a leader right could for example maybe somebody saying something like oh that means that I’m going to spend more money but will doing this actually help to make more money or what do you think ah yeah like the self-limited barrier sometimes they feel that yeah you’re hiring a person but that person will make you five times the money you will become more efficient so it’s definitely worth it to to spend the money I think a lot of people in my position when I talk to them about this they feel that uh uh finding uh good staff members is a challenge in the workforce we have shortage of like dental hygienists dental assistants so a big a a barrier as well as hardship, a struggle is uh manpower, you know, uh finding people for the right job. And and as a business owner, you need to realize that you have to keep hiring, hiring, firing.
It’s a constant process. We are not married to these people.
We always want to keep them and you’re like going to keep them forever. Yes, we do.
But you know it’s like if the it’s a fit work train them and let them grow or if it’s not a fit let them go. It’s a constant process and I think people are afraid dentists um a majority are kind of they don’t like the human resources or dealing with with with the training.
We just want to do dentistry. We don’t want to you know wear the business owner hat.
that’s sometimes lacking that you have to think as a business owner. You know, Walmart will not stop like they’ll keep hiring until they find the people.
They, you know, they’re not going to like say, “Oh, no. What if I spend money?” You know, like corporations don’t think like that.
Business owners don’t think like that, but sometimes we we think like that. So, yeah, having more of an open mindset, you know, I get you.
And the being an entrepreneur, you know, I I face that too because sometimes I have gotten way better. But sometimes it’s like you want to go all out that even when something is not working, you like you want to keep the person.
You want to do your best to keep the person. But sometimes what I’ve realized now is that if something is not working and you are you must the courage to let the staff go for example that can also be helpful for that staff because if it’s not working there is a chance they are not also having a good time.
Yeah. You know they’re stressing out.
Exactly. And Yeah.
So, but I know that feeling of uh just like what you’re saying, which is somebody may feel like if I what if I hired the wrong person, but you are more of the wrong person. Hire if he’s the wrong person, hire hire again.
Exactly. Exactly.
Let go. If it’s not a match for you, we tend to keep that.
That doesn’t mean it’s a bad person. It’s just a not a good fit.
And we tend to stick on as you said, try. Let’s try.
But there has to be a time when you’re like, “Okay, thank you.” But, you know, we need to kind of move on. And keeping the wrong person actually affects the bottom line of a business rather than hiring a good person because that person is going to make you money, but keeping the wrong person, you’re going to lose money.
Yeah, I get you. Okay.
So now let’s look at uh you mentioned um that younger professionals either feel lost or overwhelmed. So could you talk more about that?
Yes, I think um younger professionals especially after co kind of put um at least from dental professionals I know that it impacted their education how like everything became online. uh rather than having the hands-on training so some of them missed on certain hands-on interaction hands-on training and as you know we are essential workers so far AI hasn’t replaced us there’s not a hologram of me Dr.
arena working yet. But so we you know patient interaction, patient management is so crucial and when these new graduates if they feel that they did not get enough experience or what is real life like?
Real life is not like social media depicts. Private practice is is different than being in a dental school.
So for them to get more mentorship and continuing education in their field is would really help them kind of steer them in the right direction and maybe help them with their confusions. Very good.
So okay thank you. So what uh role did mentorship play in your journey as an entrepreneur?
Because like for example you were talking about hiring right?
I’m wondering how did that mind like how did you get to learn these things right was it always like this for you oh my god no it wasn’t Dr. Linda um you know when 25 years ago like you know we had yellow pages even Google wasn’t like we were not even on Google as much or YouTube the learning wasn’t accessible like it is now for us back then and there were very few conversations happening this is amazing Dr.
Linda that you’re offering a platform where discussions are happening but we don’t we didn’t have that conversation before uh openly with other professionals and I actually don’t recall having a single female mentor to talk to or to guide me. I would uh luckily in the associate ships where I was learning the principal dentists uh were very good and clinically would guide me for procedures but I kind of had to learn on the go as I as I evolved because I didn’t have that no I didn’t have that guidance before.
I see. Could that be why you are more into mentorship now for you know people that upcoming?
Yes. What you didn’t have?
Yes. Yes.
Totally. I am you know part of women in dentistry.
I’m in an advisory board and we have a mentorship program with University of Toronto dental students. So yes, I’ve gone to to speak to them.
I offer my clinic as a as a I’m a mentor and they come to shadow me and they actually get to see in private practice how things work. So I’m very open to that and I have high school students, I have college like undergraduates, I have dental students coming to shadow um shadow me.
So yes, I’ve kept my doors open because I want them to learn as much as possible what I didn’t have access to. um if anyone’s interested well I we are not stopping anyone as long as you’re interested see if it is for you they might come and realize that you know what this is not for me so that’s good for them to know that okay I don’t want to do clinical I have yet to convince my own children my children have said no they have nothing to do with dentistry so okay that’s fine that’s fine you know what you don’t want okay then focus on what you Cool.
Mhm. Yeah, that’s cool.
Okay. So, um let’s look at for mreneurs now.
What key leadership lessons will you emphasize based on your experience?
Mreneurs, I would definitely say that go with your gut feeling. If you have a dream, pursue it.
It may take time. Sometimes things don’t happen instantly.
But uh pursue your dreams and and get networking with the right professionals. That’s so important to have uh backing you up.
Whether it’s you know a good bank or a good legal team or you know good accountant, a good investment advisor, you need good people around you as a team to help you flourish. So get a good team of people around you and keep pursuing your dreams.
That’s what I would say. Okay.
So uh how do you stay motivated uh amidst pressure of running a practice and you know having a family?
How do you stay motivated?
Yeah, that can be challenging at times. Um, now that I am more little hands off on my practice, I I definitely spend time on on myself.
It’s very important. I realized it a little too late.
Um, I still remember the first 10 years when my kids were young, like you know, I’d pack my daughter’s lunch, I pack my son’s lunch, I water bottle, water bottle, no lunch for me, no water bottle for me. 10 years, right?
and you forget. You’re like, “Oh, I need to eat too.” Not just Tim Horton’s coffee.
So, for 10 years, I was like, I I didn’t have lunch. And it was like, you adapt to it and you think that’s normal.
It’s not normal. So, I had to pause.
And when I had my office manager, she’s like, she just blocked a slot. Lunchtime for Dr.
Reena. You got to eat.
Like literally something simple as that can be lifechanging that you know you need to to think that it’s not just their lunch boxes but mine too. If I’m not packing it I’m going to make sure I eat something.
So self-care is not selfish. It’s essential.
We need to um sleep. If you want to sleep, sleep, rest, take time off to do whatever you want to do.
I’ve I have uh recently gotten into meditation and I find that very calming and helpful for my mental mental health and um yeah whatever is calling you whatever you feel like doing other than your profession is very important to pursue your hobbies. So yeah, u I it’s it’s little challenging for some moms when the kids are younger because we’re it’s their activities.
What are they into?
Is it swimming for them, biking for them, yog?
Uh taekwond do for them. It’s all about the kids and we kind of forget that what am I doing besides chauffeering them.
So, it’s now taking time for myself and finding out my own hobbies and what I want to do that keeps me fresh, that keeps me balanced and that keeps me excited about dentistry. Awesome.
Okay. My next question for you is how do you approach decision making during period of uncertainty?
Yeah. and uncertain times we certainly have after you know with elections and Mr.
Trump and tariffs and how it’s going to impact economy, elections, interest rates, so many different things, right?
So there realizing what you can control in the uncertain times and realizing what you can’t control. And a lot of times you can’t control the economy, the outcome of the elections, the everything else that’s happening.
But what you can control is you, your own team and your practice. So I make decisions based on is it right for me and my patients?
Is it right for me and my team?
Is this going to help me make money?
Is this going to help my patients?
Yes, then we’re going to do this. No, then we’re going to put this aside.
So really realizing what you can control and what you can do about it is important. But we get lost sometimes and the paralysis analysis paralysis.
You don’t make any decisions because you feel so overwhelmed with all the other noise around us. But this takes practice and time.
It didn’t just come to me. I used to be paralyzed with fear myself.
But over time I’ve come to realize that you know it’s not going to make any difference what happens outside your house your home and your practice or whatever uh profession you are in outside your business but focus on the people that matter which is your team and your patients and your family. That’s a good way to think about it.
Yeah. Because those things happening and the reason for the fear most times is that you don’t have control over it, right?
Yeah. Worry, worry, worry, worry.
And yet you can’t do anything about it. Yeah.
Yeah. Okay.
So, um what about self-doubt?
Like a moment of self-doubt, what strategies or support systems have helped you regain confidence and clarity?
Yeah. Yeah.
And we tend to do that self-doubt, you know, sometimes like, yeah, it has happened that am I good enough?
Did I do this right?
I have questioned myself. Um, but I’ll be honest, Dr.
Linda, I’ve had a good set of professional girlfriends, like dentist friends who are really, it’s, you know, a tribe of women. It’s it’s just so important to have.
And we would chat about things. We would throw these ideas to each other.
select friends of mine who have been with me through thick or thin and I’ve been for them for the same reason and we have a pick up the phone and I get a phone call I have called down a friend let’s go out for dinner let’s go for a coffee what do you think and more often than not nine out of 10 times those self-doubts are not validated you know they actually they’re like no you’re doing great what are you thinking no this is a good idea I would do the same or maybe what about this what about that. So talking out to you know um someone rather than just being on Google and trying or chat GPT but actually having a person to bounce ideas off of who understands you has been very helpful to me.
Yes. To give me clarity.
Yeah. Okay.
Yeah. Okay.
Next question is uh what common misconceptions do you encounter about mothers and entrepreneurship like like maybe women running their own business, being a mom running business?
Are there any misconceptions that uh maybe you’ve heard before that you would like to address?
Yeah. Yeah.
Initially I think um especially the cultural or societal pressures that we have as women the responsibilities and initially I always felt that if I’m really good at business or in dentistry in my career then I may be perceived as you know that I’m not a good enough of a mom or a of wife or a you know family woman you uh that was more of a cultural thing uh because men don’t have to worry about those things. it’s it’s uh assumed that they are going to be the bread winners and then having now as as a as a bread winner for my family um initially it was like you know those doubts and misconceptions that I would think but but they were short-lived because um uh my family, friends and society in general like I’m really well um uh thought of in the community and looked up to.
Um so I think that was 20 years ago but now we have less and less of of those expectations around. Um but certainly when I first started I had that um yeah I had that pressure.
I see. Yeah.
Okay. So um you you you talk about the networking and some of these groups that you belong to.
So are there networking tips that you would like to share with us today?
Yeah. Um I think it’s very important to be a good listener.
Um you know be open-minded when you’re approaching people. Like see what they have to offer.
Listen listen to what what they’re good at. do some background research on, you know, where you’re going, who you’re going to be meeting with, and then offer uh what how you can help uh help that person or the team or the community.
And being friendly, polite, it’s a given, you know, um you don’t have to be a charmer, but definitely very respectful and polite um uh with the people you meet. Um and and I I genuinely enjoy that.
So I think people get the vibe of who you are as a person. So the more you do it, the more comfortable you get and the more people you meet and now and we have different implant companies, different organizations, different sponsors seeking me out, I am seeking them out and you and you kind of get into the groove of it as you know more people in your profession.
So yeah. Yeah, it definitely takes takes time.
you build and uh yeah doing your research and being wellversed in in what you want being clear about the purpose of of going somewhere or meeting someone. Mhm.
Okay. So uh from what from your response something came to my mind which is that you know looking at you your background you know researching one thing that comes to my mind is you are a great example of people who say you’re a key person of influence in your field and one thing about being a key person of influence is that um you know I was reading somewhere opportunities comes to you first even before they go to other people like one of the authors was like it is the things rejected by key persons of influence that gets you know get to flow down to others to consider trickle down.
Yes. Yes.
Yeah. So yes, the question I have for you is you know what do you think was helpful in making you a key person of influence in your field?
Yes. Uh your question reminds me of my dental implant journey and I remember when I was uh learning how to place dental implants on a pig jaw or a typodont and I was looking at my mentor with eyes wide.
I’m like I can’t do it. I can’t do it.
I said I can’t do it. Like I I’m like I’m in the wrong place.
I don’t know why I’m here. I can’t do it.
He’s like no you can. You can.
and I finished that program and five years later I am teaching that program now. So I didn’t have that faith myself but my mentor had that faith in me.
So having a good mentor who believes you and doesn’t discourage you and even like clarifies your self-doubts and pushes you is so important. and having that laser focused goal.
I after I did my first surgery that I’m like okay I’m doing this and I like doing it and I mean I don’t like I love doing this and I just kept uh taking more courses in it learning more doing more and seeing the benefits for the patients is what drives you what drives me when because of me and my team a person is eating better a person is smiling fully with confidence. Um, a person no longer feels pain and and it’s chewing enjoying food again.
I mean, those are things that no one else can give you. You know, an accountant, a lawyer, a medical doctor, a pharmacist can’t give them that, but the dental team.
So it really puts that responsibility and pride in our profession that what we are doing is lifech changing and it’s helping people. So I want to do more of it and the more I do the more I learned you climb and you be and before I knew it it’s like key person of influence.
So yeah I didn’t even realize it until it kind of happened and I’m still doing more of and I’m enjoying it. It’s more about helping helping the patients.
Yeah. Oh my god.
I’m just I’m going to have such a a big case on Tuesday morning after the long weekend. Dr.
Linda, where we’re doing a full mouth rehabilitation and this person is wearing dentures which are dancing dentures. He calls them that I call it’s like the dentures fall out.
I have to use glue. I can’t eat.
And we are going to give him fixed teeth. And the only thing that’s going to be dancing is him, not his dentures.
So, we are so excited for that. And that kind of, you know, pushes us to do more, keeps me motivated, and it’s just such a great feeling.
So, well, thank you for that question. It just got me really excited.
Yeah. And some of the things I picked from even what you said in addition to what you said is that this is something you love doing.
So you know because you love doing it it’s like yeah it doesn’t mean the fears won’t come but because it’s something you love doing you even willing to try and when you get it you want to do and do more. So that also means that if somebody is trying to be a key person of influence in an area they don’t like it’s going to be tough.
Yes. And you won’t you won’t be able to do justification to it because it will show in your energy and vibrations that You’re not going to be able to feel the same way and your eyes won’t light up if you really don’t like doing something.
I can’t be the key person of influence in folding laundry because I don’t like doing that. So, it’s not going to show.
Yeah. Yeah.
Okay. The next thing I picked up was I think you said it before about your your like at the beginning you were like sometimes you are either teaching a seminar or attending one yourself.
So I I see that thing of teaching and learning you know going on teaching and learning and uh you also mentioned so when you were talking about uh you know learning about the dental implants and all of that so I see this idea where you are constantly improving yourself yes being open to new concepts uh trying something out seeing what works for you what doesn’t work for you and Dr. Linda like dentistry has evolved a lot since we graduated and with technology digital AI it’s almost some of the ways we are practicing has become obsolete the it’s just different and I I’m still in business we’re still going to be in the business for next 10 15 years so in order to keep up with what the times are offering we have to evolve and adapt We can’t otherwise we will be left behind and our patients deserve the standard of care like your kids and my kids deserve the now not yesterday or you know 20 years ago what was happening.
So yeah, it’s constant learning and being um absorbing things like a sponge and implementing that’s also key because you can’t just learn and be textbook savvy but you got to implement and not be afraid to implement in your practice. So that’s key.
Yeah, that’s a very good in fact awesome mindset to have and the approach to life as well. I don’t know me myself I I love I love learning like I’m like okay I had somebody that was coming on my show and so when we connected initially she was like oh there’s this book and she told me the book by the time so we booked the show time by the time she came the day of her show of her taping right I have bought the book I’ve read the book I’ve even implemented something this is just couple of weeks So when she came, I was showing her the book.
I say, “Hey, thank you for your recommendation.” You know, she was like, “Wow, that’s really good.” Because you’re fast recommendation. They won’t even try it or Yes.
Yes. You’re willing to take that chance, a step, explore.
You may like it, you may not like it. That’s different.
But you did it and that’s amazing. Sure.
Okay. So what advice will you give to entrepreneurs who are becoming a mom soon?
Yeah, we always think you know when you want to have kids like is it the right time?
Is it the perfect time?
And there’s never a right time. It’s whenever you feel like and and for us for for women we have our biologic clock too biological clock as well that’s always ticking and puts some pressure on us.
So um it’s it’s it’s never a right time in your career. Your career you’ll always grow.
There’s nowhere to go but to grow as far as your career and you won’t be left behind. uh if you decide to have kids uh things might slow down a little bit but that’s okay and then things pick up um and then more opportunities come so if you want to have kids have kids and one of my uh three of my girlfriends actually when I had my daughter they had the three separate dentists and three occasions they had tears in their eyes and they said have a second one because they didn’t have a second one and they were regretting cuz they were so stressed and they couldn’t manage and they really and the time went and it was too late for them to have a second one.
But those girlfriends prayed for me. And you know that the conversations you have in the parking lot or in the ladies room or you know somewhere where you least expect it and and five years later I did have my my second uh baby.
And and I’m so glad that I did because it’s important for the kids to have their sibling. And although they they think the other one was adopted or picked up from a dust bin can, they’re always fighting.
But it’s a love between them is genuine. So siblings and having a family is so important.
So if that’s even something you’re considering, please don’t postpone it. Have your children, your business, you can always uh you know work on the side and uh get help and and work on it on the side.
Yeah. Okay.
So, let me flip the question a bit and say, “What advice do you have for um moms who are at the crossroad of starting their entrepreneurial journey?” Yeah, that’s a good one, too. And and bravo for thinking about that and wanting to to be an entrepreneur.
It’s uh definitely a good idea to have some family support as well like whether it’s your supportive spouse, your parents uh with you in raising your kids. Um that helps to kind of reduce the burden or the guilt that we might feel as a mom.
But then not everyone is lucky. I didn’t have my family around.
Uh I had to do it on my own. But having a good like family support as well as professional support right you know whether it’s um as I mentioned earlier like whether it’s like a a banker or a website social media person or somebody who does marketing like having those good people with you to help you run your business you don’t have to do everything on your own AI and other tools are there for you to to kind of make it easier for you so yeah it is possible ible to do both.
Having support from both sides helps. I see.
Okay. So, what’s the vision for dentistry on 10?
Uh-huh. So, uh my vision for my practice is that we are going to grow, keep growing.
Um my plan is to expand. I’ll be buying another practice and maybe merging or being bigger.
But I definitely envision uh helping more people wherever I can get the opportunity, helping more people, making a difference in people’s lives and continuing having this dialogue with wonderful people like you and being part of my um dental professional community and leadership roles and maybe pursuing more of those things um because I find that very rewarding and satisfying. So, uh, bigger and better things onwards and upwards for all of us.
Mhm. I get you.
Okay. Let me uh What question do you wish that I asked you but I have not asked you yet.
That’s good one. Dr.
Linda, you asked me a lot of questions. A very lot of insightful ones.
Um, I can’t think of anything. I think we we covered a lot of different things.
I think um I guess maybe when you were asking about what the the the newcomers when they are coming, what are some of the challenges uh the younger professionals have?
And I think one of the things I wanted to mention was that you and I mentioned like social media and technology which are so important for us to learn and improve but them having chat GPT and like AI not to have technology as a substitute for education. You know we learned how to read X-rays.
we learned how to diagnose. But if a doctor’s graduating without them using their own minds, but AI is telling them what to do, that kind of scares me.
Um, as a professional that when you have younger professionals coming in who are using entirely AI based tools but not their knowledge, experience, education. So I think using technology as a add-on adjunct and not as a substitute to our um education.
I think that’s the only comment I guess I had to make. But yeah and I get you but let me ask you something deeper which why is that important?
Like why is it important that we should be thinking of uh AI as a as an adjunct or compliment instead of as a substitute?
Yeah. because we are dealing with people and we are dealing with a person with feelings with comp you know we need compassion when we’re approaching a person healthcare you know um it’s never going to be the same listening shaking someone’s hand putting a pet to reassure them looking them at them in their eyes and telling them it’s going to be okay you’re never going to substitute ute those things with AI.
People still need that reassurance. Um you know um still old school a lot of us are still old school and they want that tender loving care chairside.
They want somebody to call them by their name and remember and laugh and you know smile acknowledge what happened like you know last time I h you know something that they shared. It’s it’s still relationships and people we are dealing with.
So I don’t know how it’s going to be with with AI and yes it’s good to have tools but I don’t think that not as a substitute. No I get you.
Yeah. So um maybe aside AI since we’ve talked about AI already are there other maybe trends or evolutions you see that are coming in your field dentistry to be precise.
Yeah social media social media Tik Tok trends I mean people all put the best foot forward and we kind of get trained to think that’s how it is. But people don’t share their bad day, their bad outcome, the patient who yelled at them, the the filling that broke, the thing that they couldn’t fix, the failure of the implant.
People don’t showcase those things. So you got to have a balanced view of what reality is really like.
Um and that’s why I was thinking that mentorship when when the pe when the person goes to real world and sees that and talks to mentors at what it is like to be in a private practice social media just shows one aspect of it. It’s not a full reality of it and we get sucked into that perfectionism the best picture the best everything and is this picture even real or is this AI generated photo?
I mean, right. So, it’s it’s it’s it’s just one aspect of it.
I see. Yeah.
Yeah. I get you.
And one thing just like this conversation right that we’re having now I noticed that as a person and uh as an entrepreneur I watch a lot of podcast myself like video podcast or shows because I noticed that uh people tend to have deeper conversations that then can include you know both the wins and the challenges and lessons because sometimes Um just like what you said the the regular social media posts tend to be tilted towards the wins you know we just got this we we just got this partnership right but you don’t know that they worked on that partnership for two years and three month partnership fell yes or didn’t work out before this first one worked out all you know is that they had one partnership that worked out and you you are feeling so sad for yourself why your own partnership hasn’t worked out so Yeah, I noticed that listening to entrepreneurs who have built companies through these podcast shows uh tend to give more depth. So that’s one way absolutely amazing and that’s such a big uh uh diff distinction because having a conversation with a real person and sharing and the depth at which with which and answer candidly is is uh absolutely amazing and you can’t replicate that you can’t get it anywhere else but yeah more I was more about those like what we make regular posts on which only show the best foot forward.
So yeah, that and that’s great. We should but that’s not all for somebody who’s learning and starting, right?
It gives a skewed skewed vision of what to expect. Wow.
Thank you so much for coming and uh you know sharing a lot of your experiences with us. It’s been an amazing time.
Thank you. Thank you so much.
I’m so grateful for the invitation and I had I really enjoyed being on the show. So, thank you Dr.
Linda once again for inviting me and I look forward to seeing you soon. Thank you.
And for those watching, you know, see you at the next episode. Bye.
Yeah. Keep continuing the good work you’re doing.
Thank you. Okay.
Bye.

[Music]

[Music]