This Journey to Live an Inspired Life and Keep Inspiring Others Along the Way Will Continue Forever
Born and brought up in India, I graduated as a General Dentist in 2002. After getting married in 2003, I moved to the USA, was blessed with 2 kids and have been part of the dental community here ever since.
I graduated from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine in 2012 with a Gold Medal in Operative Dentistry (Advanced Standing International Student Program) and have been practising General Dentistry in Illinois, the USA since 2013.
My old story was that of an international Dental professional who was burnt out, had experienced traumas in early life, was in a toxic relationship, went through mental & chronic physical health problems. Along with it financial downturn after the divorce was another major setback.
With a changed mindset, I gathered the courage and strength within, to turn my story around and persevered that season of my life.
Along with personal turmoil, professional challenges were also there. Success and empowerment came a very hard way. Being a professional woman and a single parent navigating through the pitfalls in my journey without any support, inspired me to share my story with others. I learnt it the long and hard way and didn’t want others to go through the same.
So, I started speaking more openly about all this on different platforms. It felt great to be able to stand in my purpose, make an impact and change lives along the way. My awesome allies, who I was able to make a difference in lives for, inspired me to officially start coaching and that’s how DentistsCoach was founded in 2020.
Having seen the best and worst of both worlds as an international Dentist motivated me to give back and support Predental students and International Dentists in their journey from BDS to DDS, so they don’t have to experience the adversities that I had to go through personally & professionally.
In my quest for sharing knowledge that I gained and because of my passion for teaching, I joined Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine as a faculty in 2021 and am en route to dental practice ownership.
This journey to live an inspired life and keep inspiring others along the way will continue forever.
Despite so much talent in India, why do people look abroad for treatment?
In the past owing to infrastructure, technology and Tx option constraints to the masses, people used to travel abroad. But in my opinion, now a lot of Dentists study abroad and bring the experience back to their practices in India.
The Universities and Medical organizations are adding to the technological advancements that you could previously find only abroad. Also, there is more cost-effectiveness and upgraded treatment options adding on the talent, so the number of people wanting to go and seek treatment abroad is slowly decreasing among the masses.
What do you think are the key differences in studying Dentistry in India and the USA?
In India, a lot of stress is placed on the theoretical study of the subject due to which students have a vast knowledge about the subject from the beginning, but the practical exposure starts a little late comparatively unlike in the USA, depending on the Dental School the student is part of.
Also, as much as I have seen and experienced as a Dental Mentor and Coach, traits like critical thinking, mindset, personal growth & development as part of being a professional and growing as a well-rounded clinician and individual holistically, is emphasized more in Universities in the USA than India.
I believe you can count that as a difference in students learning and growing in two different cultural systems, both coming with their own pros and cons.
Of course, the way Dentistry is practised as far as population, Dentistry as a business and dental insurance goes, is very different in India and the USA, so students learn to practice dentistry accordingly in their home countries.
That’s why emphasis is made on International Dentists to go through the Advanced Standing Programs in Dental Schools here, learning about the culture and Dental business practices in the USA as an integral part of the curriculum, so their transition to the country becomes easier once they start practising here.
Which countries are the best for studying Dentistry besides India?
As a student, I am blessed to have experienced the best of both worlds, and besides India, I am biased towards studying in American Universities.
I loved being a student here and had an awesome experience studying at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine. But there are some great universities to study Dentistry in Canada, Australia, other European countries too.
How important is a Specialization for Dentists?
In my opinion, specialization is helpful if you are interested in, and want to be a dedicated doctor to one branch of Dentistry since it gives you an array of options, opportunities, and experience on your desired set of dental patients and you can perform complex procedures coming under that specialization.
But, at the same time if you don’t want to be boxed in practising under one specialization and want to gain experience while helping different sets of dental patients with a wide range and variety of cases, being a general dental practitioner gets you this option.
What is your take on virtual methods of providing treatment?
Ever since the COVID pandemic moved the world upside down, we can all see the positive impact that Telemedicine has brought to the world including the field of Dentistry.
Dentistry being a hands-on profession, even if we can’t provide the physical treatment as needed to the patient, at least patients can get some ER services, get Tx consultations, instructions, follow up Tx, and get the guidance or information for the treatment as planned.
What impact do you want to create in the Dental field?
As a Dental practitioner, I strive to improve the smiles and lives of my patients with empathy and compassion by taking care of their oral and overall health, holistically. So that they love coming to the Dental office without being anxious.
As a Coach, my students and allies always have my support and commitment towards their success. No matter what season in life or stage of dental career they are in.
They have my dedicated guidance to be able to navigate their dental journeys with ease, have successful dental careers & personal lives without ‘Burnout’.
Which is your favourite book and why?
I am mostly limited to books related to Dentistry but apart from that, I love reading and reading personal growth and development books. One of my all-time favs is ’The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People' by Stephen R. Covey
Dr Neha Kapila - Be self-aware and connected to your core values in everything you do, so you can live an inspired life on your own terms.
(Dentist, Founder & Coach at DentistsCoach, MWU Faculty, Speaker)
Linkedin - Dr Neha Kapila
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