At the turn of the century, as a youngster grappling with guilt over not being smart enough to secure an admission into
medical school, I chose dentistry, which was considered “laid back” and “easy “ in comparison to the medical specialties.
Unproductive vacations bored me and I lapped up an opportunity to shadow Dr. Suresh Tambwekar, a senior plastic and
microvascular surgeon, at Bombay Hospital(Mumbai, India), for 2 months. I was among his retinue, a lowly, know-nothing
dentistry student who was a fly on the wall, observing and partaking a few crumbs of wisdom that dropped my way.
The hallowed precincts of the Plastic surgery O.T made my blood rush, and the post-operative ward rounds taught me
about patient care, keen observation, and attention to detail. I enjoyed dentistry, but reconstructive surgery fascinated me.
Even though my brain could not even comprehend most of what I saw in my early days as an observer,
I kept going back to observe craniofacial surgeries like a moth drawn to a flame.
By 2006, I was faced with a choice again, that meant opting for whatever subject was available under the circumstances,
for advanced training. I was a reluctant resident in Pediatric Dentistry and battled moments of self-doubt, wondering
if I was really cut out to be a pediatric dentist. I was young, impatient, drawn to high-adrenaline clinical work, and
often restless with routine—yet this phase gradually helped me discover strengths I did not know I had, including the
capacity to adapt, connect, and grow beyond my perceived limitations.
Completion of graduate studies, marriage, a young child and moving across the country presented with a new set of challenges
to deal with. Pediatric dentistry was an area of service for the privileged, and opportunities few. Every door seemed harder
to open. Academia was a quagmire with unrelenting pressure but a lack of proper structure for professional growth.
Even today, gender bias and motherhood penalties make career progression at entry-level and mid-level positions challenging.
I then chose to step away from conventional pathways and dedicate myself to comprehensive dental care for children
with clefts—an area that continues to remain profoundly underserved in India. Delving into the unfamiliar with purpose,
I chose to focus on what I could shape and influence. I sought guidance, requested references, and spent my after-hours
observing cleft surgeons to expand my horizons. At a time when interceptive orthodontics and interdisciplinary cleft
care were uncommon, and when international support prioritised surgeries over dental intervention,
I saw an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to an area where paediatric dental involvement was virtually absent.
The early years demanded long hours, intense effort, and a steep learning curve, yet they also strengthened my resolve and
clarified my direction. Passion and discipline became my anchors as I worked to build credibility within a competitive
system. Even when funding limitations and real-world constraints posed challenges, they pushed me to refine not only my
clinical expertise but also my understanding of how to navigate complex professional spaces. I gradually recognized the
value of mentorship in financial decision-making, workplace dynamics, and non-verbal communication—skills that complement
technical ability and shape long-term success.
Over a decade, I invested significant personal time and resources into professional development within cleft care,
focusing on hands-on experience, interdisciplinary knowledge, and skill enhancement rather than immediate monetary gain.
This period cultivated key skills like dexterity, critical thinking, situational awareness and empathy gained from
observing patient struggles with limited access to care.
International training scholarships highlighted the importance of a well-rounded application, documentation, and soft skills. The financial realities of self-funded continuing education later motivated me to establish multiple income sources for future stability. In hindsight, the initial years in practice offered far more opportunity than one may initially expect!
Dental schools primarily cultivate our technical competence, but the business aspects of dentistry often receive far less attention. This gap means that many early-career professionals either over-invest in marketing before their clinical skills mature, or struggle to navigate visibility and career management due to limited exposure to the business side of the profession. Yet, in an age dominated by digital platforms, the importance of continuous technical upskilling and refinement has only increased. Over the years, I have learnt to prioritize high-value specialty conferences while being mindful of costs. As a mid-career professional, I now approach every academic event with clarity—evaluating the scientific content and speakers, defining my purpose for attending, exploring volunteering or presenting opportunities, and selecting virtual, hybrid, or hands-on modules that enhance visibility for our work. Rather than following social media trends uncritically, it is far more rewarding to align one’s learning with robust, evidence-based practice. I have been fortunate to engage with seniors and colleagues across orthodontics, medicine, plastic surgery, ENT, paediatrics, maxillofacial surgery, and oncology—interactions that have enriched my understanding beyond the boundaries of my discipline. Parallel reading and cross-specialty discussions have given me the depth and agility to interpret complex topics with a more dynamic, integrative mindset.
Dentistry has silently transitioned to becoming a women-dominated profession, with a larger number moving out of the workforce as career challenges increase. Women, by the nature of demands placed on them, tend to network lesser as compared to male peers. Social activities after work hours can conflict with family responsibilities, making it harder for them to participate in “water-cooler chats “for networking. “It’s not what you know, but who you know” that matters. Though we live in an era of equal opportunity, equitable opportunities are hard to come by. Female mentors can help women in dentistry establish a solid work ethic, navigate gender-specific challenges and provide relatable role models and a supportive network. Helping build technical and soft skills helps mentees increase their visibility. Early and mid-career professionals also gain insights into professional integrity and discipline while working towards pay parity. With an increasing number of female doctors entering the workforce, I believe that a structured program that would provide both mentorship and sponsorship to those working in under-recognised and under-served areas and prevent the “dropping -off “from the workforce due to lack of support. In India, those outside academia in dentistry find it harder to get access to opportunities in oral health careers.
Modern dentistry now demands an additional skill set of being tech-literate to keep pace with digital tools, technology guided systems and smart clinics. Early in their careers, professionals must learn to take charge of their growth. Investing wisely in technology to increase efficiency requires that we stay abreast and embrace change.It is important to understand the financial metrics and cost-benefit of any technology that we choose rather than emotional spending .
In the end, choosing an unconventional path in dentistry taught me that careers rarely grow in straight lines. Progress comes from curiosity, persistence, and the courage to explore beyond conventional training. Building successful meaningful relationships by having the willingness and humility to engage with your peers is more valuable than technical skills. Seeking mentors in our daily work be it in people we know personally, people we learn from a distance or people whose expertise we invest in can provide us with clarity and support in shaping our path or understanding our purpose in the career we choose.
Today’s rapidly evolving dental landscape requires us to stay adaptable, remain open to new ideas, and build a network that grows with us. With the right mindset, determination, and support, it is entirely possible to create a career that is meaningful, resilient, and uniquely our own — even if it begins off the beaten track.