Putting a smile on the faces of dental patients is my main business

Putting a smile on the faces of dental patients is my main business (Photo: Scarlet Muhadia)

Scarlet Muhadia, a 30-year-old dentist, is known for her commitment to enhancing oral health in the community, leveraging her skills and staying updated with the latest dental advancements.

Tell us about yourself.

I was born in Ikolomani constituency in Kakamega County 30 years ago in a family of four children. I went to Kilagiru Primary School and later joined Bunyore Girls High School in Vihiga County. I then proceeded to the University of Nairobi for my undergraduate in Dental Surgery. I am currently pursuing an MBA in Healthcare Management at Strathmore University. After my internship at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), I worked in different healthcare facilities, both public and private for about four years and then started The Smile Suite Dental Care, a dental clinic based in Kakamega.

Who inspired you to pursue a career in dentistry?

I had passion and drive to transform people’s lives through transformative dental treatment and just become a better person in society. I wanted to be in a position of providing comprehensive dental care and witnessing firsthand the transformative impact of my work on my patients. The gap in provision of quality and affordable dental care in the country and lack of education and information around matters dental health motivated me to study medicine and then specialise in dental surgery.

 In your journey as a dental surgeon, can you share a memorable patient success story that highlights the impact of your career?

There have been so many success stories for the last five years I have worked as a dental surgeon. But the most memorable one is when I met an octogenarian for whom I did a full mouth rehabilitation, which included teeth restorations, teeth replacement and gum treatment procedures. She has since become a personal friend to me and always doing referrals because of the quality and exceptional service she received. It is rewarding seeing the positive impact on my patients’ lives. As a dentist, helping someone regain their smile and confidence is a fulfillment. Additionally, creating employment and contributing to the community’s well-being has been immensely gratifying to me.

 Talking of being your own boss, what were some of the biggest challenges you faced when starting and running your clinic?

I had a very big dream for the clinic’s set up but was discouraged that the set up cannot work in Kakamega. However, with resilience, I did it and now people can easily access quality dental treatment in Kakamega. The amount of time and effort required for administrative and managerial tasks is a lot. Balancing clinical responsibilities and running a hospital business is challenging, but it also comes with the opportunity to learn valuable skills in leadership and management. We have incorporated specialist dental clinics like orthodontics and maxillofacial surgery, among others

 How do you stay updated with the latest advancements in dental care? I do continuous professional development programmes which include seminars, dental conferences, webinars and short course trainings focused on dentistry, which have provided me with a hands-on learning and networking opportunities with experts in the field. Reading professional dental journals and publications has also helped me keep up with the latest research, techniques, and technological advancements in my field of study.

 What are some of the most popular services that your clinic offers?

On a daily basis, we cut across all dental services from consultation, digital X-rays, teeth cleaning, dental fillings, root canal therapy, extractions, gum treatments, child dental treatment, teeth whitening, dental jewelry, teeth masking and veneers, crown and bridge, dentures, implants, minor surgery and braces (teeth alignment). In the near future, I am planning to introduce a fully equipped paediatric dental unit with a sedation machine and a mobile dental clinic which will be a fully equipped dental caravan to offer mobile dental services. By incorporating the latest dental technologies and methodologies, we aim to continually improve the services with the latest technologies available.

 How do you balance the demands of running a clinic with your personal life?

I seek to be intentional with both life and work, finding how to strike a balance between the two without letting any drag behind.

 What advice would you give to young women who aspire to pursue a career in dentistry?

Persistence and passion is key. I would advise them to be persistent and passionate about their goals. Many only see the rewarding part, but dentistry is a demanding field. It is essential to stay committed to gaining more knowledge and skills, be at par with the ever-growing technology, seek mentorship and continuously strive for excellence.

Who has been your biggest mentor or source of support in your journey?

My push has been majorly due to my past experience and the urge to do better, become better. I would not attribute it to any one, or any single mentor because I have met different people in line of dentistry and have picked different lessons and experiences from them, collectively making me who I am today from ethics of dentistry, becoming better in my work, business aspects and resilience that comes with dentistry.