Women are natural leaders, entrepreneurs, caregivers, and great relationship builders. However, a woman’s success is in her attitude; an attitude of shifting stress, disappointment, and negativity into a positive outlook! Such a courageous lady who believes in turning fears into a teacher and weaknesses into a strength is Dr. Sarina Shah - Founder & Proprietor of Global Smiles, a multispecialty Dental Destination! She is an exceptional dental surgeon who began her entrepreneurial journey by establishing Global Smiles almost 30 years ago.

Women Entrepreneur India engages an exclusive interview with Dr Sarina to explore this journey.

Women are extremely amazing at wearing multiple hats and handling everything smoothly. Share your experience of being a mom and a business owner.

Our profession is mentally and physically demanding, but a woman's life is a multitasking job. Running a practice and caring for a family are two demanding jobs that often seem as though they are competing against each other. Working moms are often caught in the crossfire between the needs of their profession and the needs of their children. We're often scared to follow our professional dreams while raising a young family. Personally, my children made me more creative. They redefined my multitasking skills and as a result, I could achieve much more!

While finding time to take care of yourself may be the bottom of an entrepreneurial Mom's list, self-nurture is a key component to finding time to do it all. If your mind is at ease and your body is feeling good, your ability to do more for your family and simultaneously achieve more at work. I firmly believe 'Happy parents equal happy children'. And, undoubtedly overcoming adversity can be empowering!

There is so much more to womanhood that each of us can see, so, even through hard times stay committed and believe in yourself and your profession. We women should cherish the blessing of being a woman as God has given us incredible power.

Tell us about your educational and professional background.

I completed my Bachelors in Dental Surgery from Government Dental College & Hospital, Mumbai, in the year 1985. With a sheer passion for dentistry, I furthered my education in this field by taking courses in California, USA. I accomplished diplomas in Aesthetic & Cosmetic dentistry, Oral Implantology, Endodontics, and Prosthodontics. After my studies, I started working in private practice and then furthered with continuing education programs in Germany and Switzerland to hone my skills. Since then, I have been running private dental practice in Mumbai, India.

“Insight, experience, dedication, and all-round patient care are a few qualities that have earned notable national awards for global smiles”

Enumerate about your leadership journey.

I started with a single chair dental clinic and now run a highly successful, multispecialty dental institution, Global Smiles, in the heart of South Mumbai.

Modern-day dentistry is a profession with multiple aspects. Running a dental practice is no easy task. We excel at providing our patients with superior oral health care, while not forgetting the other vital element of successful dental practice; an exceptional patient experience. It is imperative to remain organized, stay on top of the newest procedures, and run a dental practice with patients at heart. I believe that 'customer comes first ' is the right attitude to follow, even in dentistry. The result is a happier, stress-free, and more productive environment.

Brief us about the various services that you offer at global smiles.

The services provided range from Smile Makeovers to Dental Implants, each done with specific precision to restore comfort and function. With international medical and sterilization standards, competent and compassionate staff, Global Smiles serves as an ideal destination for people across the globe. Insight, experience, dedication, and all-around patient care are a few qualities that have earned us notable National Awards.

I personally ensure the highest level of sterilization and sanitization in the clinic, with regular quality and disinfectant checks and certifications for all equipment, and the clinic as a whole. We guarantee the highest possible level of dental care for all those who enter the clinic and ascertain that they leave with a Smile on their face.

How do you update yourself with the latest technologies and industry trends?

To stay on top in the field of dentistry, I attend regular dental conferences and seminars to ensure that my skills and techniques are up-to-date and equipment state-of-the-art.

I've had several great mentors in my career and also have been privileged to serve as a mentor for others. Learn and keep learning is my mantra. We believe, equipment and technology upgrades are not expenses to be endured. They are necessary reinvestments to protect and enhance the value of the dental practice to keep you at the leading edge of the profession.

Dr. Sarina Shah, Founder & Proprietor Global Smiles

Dr. Sarina is known for her loving attitude towards her patients and her remarkably gentle hands. Apart from being a worldclass dentist, Dr. Sarina Shah is a model citizen, and has been awarded the Rajiv Gandhi Excellence Award for Outstanding Achievements, in 2014. As a kind-hearted person, she has undertaken various charitable endeavours which help her give back to the community all the blessings it has showered on her!