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Dr Kapoor puts smile on her patients' faces |
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By Marlon Skyers » Recently a good friend asked me: “Are your teeth cold?” I looked at him strangely and said, “No.”
He replied: “Then why are they wearing those yellow jackets?”
That is when I knew it was the time of year I dread the most, fall cleaning. I am not talking about cleaning the leaves out of the rain gutter while using a rickety ladder. I’m referring to a fear far worse, the anxiety I get about the dentist’s chair.
But I figured if I was going to have someone tell me that I have to floss regularly, it should be a Harvard graduate. Dr. Sonya Kapoor of Trewlawny Dental helped soothe my nervousness by affirming that my fear is common amongst patients.
“We often underestimate the number of patients that are traumatized by childhood or prior dental experiences. Individuals perspire, faint, or have increased heart rates at the sight of a dentist, dental chair, or even from hearing the word ‘needle’,” said Dr Kapoor. “Like all patients, it is extremely important to build their trust and educate them about oral health and dental treatment. Once the trust is established, trips to the dentist become a positive experience.”
I’m glad to hear that I am not alone in my fear. You are the first person I have ever met that actually attended Harvard. How has that experience shaped the way you view the dental profession?
During my residency at Harvard University, I gained experience treating a diverse patient population, and faced extremely challenging cases. In addition, I participated in medical rotations including internal medicine and general anesthesia. This allowed me to better understand the connection between oral and systemic health. Overall, my residency was a positive experience that has enhanced my skills, confidence and knowledge base tremendously.
You’re the first female I’ve seen in the male dominated dental profession. Why do think there aren’t more women in this field?
There were no limitations on what I could achieve based on gender. The term “male dominated profession” never crossed my mind. I remained focused throughout my education and was fortunate to have great family support which helped me to achieve my goals.
What would you tell someone who is pursuing similar goals but is running into barriers along the way?
We all face challenges on the road to success. Overcoming these incidents allows us to build character. We must try to learn from each situation that we encounter. This will help us to deal with future challenges in a more positive and constructive manner. It is important to keep things in perspective and remember that if you’re truly determined to achieve your goals, there are no barriers.
I noticed several rooms being renovated. What does the future hold in store for the Trelawney Dental Centre?
We are currently expanding our office in order to accommodate our growing patient population. In addition, we’ve attracted specialists to treat our patients right here at Trelawny Dental Centre. This is more convenient for patients, and allows them to receive treatment in an environment they are comfortable in. Furthermore, our clinic strives to keep up with the advancements in dental technology. We’ve incorporated a soft tissue laser that nearly eliminates post-operative pain and bleeding after surgery. As well, we’ve equipped our rooms with massage chairs to make each visit relaxing. We also provide the new in-office Zoom 2 whitening so that patients can achieve excellent esthetic results in one visit.
That should definitely help me get rid of the yellow jackets on my teeth. With Trelawny Dental having an Xbox 360, hundreds of DVDs and balloons, I’ll be sure to stop by more often, even without a dental appointment!
Of course! We always welcome walk-ins, emergencies and new patients.
• Trewlawny Dental is located at 11-3899 Trelawny Circle, Mississauga. Visit www.trelawnydental.com for more information. |
