My journey into dentistry began in 2006 at King's College London, and if I'm honest, there were plenty of moments when I wondered whether I'd ever be good enough to become a dentist. I found some of the simplest things—like learning to use a mirror—surprisingly difficult. There were definitely times I questioned my career choice and, perhaps more importantly, what my (very typically Indian) parents might have to say if I gave up! Thankfully, I stuck with it, and dentistry started to click.

After a few years in general practice, I found myself drawn to the more advanced side of dentistry and ventured into implant dentistry. I was convinced my future was all about implants, until one conversation with my implant mentor. “Have you thought about perio?” he asked. I'll admit, I probably looked at him as if he'd grown a second head. Perio? Really? The more we talked, the more it made sense—and that conversation changed my career.

I completed my MSc in Periodontology during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was about as well-timed as you can imagine! Clinics stopped, uncertainty took over, and I'm fairly sure I accelerated the appearance of a few grey hairs along the way. The experience was a valuable lesson in resilience, adaptability and perseverance.

I find periodontal care incredibly rewarding and highly predictable. Whenever I say that, I often get the sort of look you'd expect if I'd just claimed I'd seen a ghost! Yet I can see the frustration so many dentists, hygienists and therapists are experiencing. Talented professionals are working incredibly hard but aren’t always seeing the results they want for their perio patients.

That realisation has become my purpose.

Today, alongside my clinical work, I train hygienists and therapists to build confidence, create lasting change for the patients they care for and get recognised for the valuable clinicians they are. I also founded The Teeth Keeper to make effective home care simpler through thoughtfully designed oral health products, because great periodontal care begins in the dental chair and is achieved at home.