In 2009, after having dedicated the last 20 years of my life to dentistry, I almost ended my career. I found myself at a personal crossroads. On one hand, I had been passionate about dentistry since the age of 16 and it was something I thought I’d be doing as long as my body allowed. On the other hand, I found myself tired of working within dental offices that treated patients like numbers and dentists like machines. I had chosen to become a dentist simply through my desire to help others. I not only wanted to improve their oral health, but more than that, I wanted to improve their quality of life. Yet, day after day, I found that my willingness and ability to care was slowly being restricted by the pressures I was under to work faster, even if it was at the expense of my patients. I felt my passion for dentistry fading, so I decided to leave the corporate office where I was employed and focus on my family.

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It wasn’t long before I found myself missing the patients I had served. I wondered how they were and who was caring for them. I realized that although I could no longer perform dentistry in the environment I had been, that didn’t mean that I no longer wanted to be a dentist. I began to dream of my own practice, a place where I could have the freedom to give my patients the best care I could possibly provide. A place that didn’t look like a dentist office, didn’t smell like a dental office, and most importantly, didn’t feel like a dental office. Through the encouragement of my family and friends, and through the support of my husband, my dream came to life in August 2010 when I opened the doors of Permalla Dental Care.

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When you step into my office, the first thing you will see is color. I chose bright, vibrant colors not only because I love them, but because I know my patients will too. My construction team was shocked when they first opened the can of orange paint and asked me again and again, are you sure? I was absolutely certain because life is colorful, people are colorful, and there is no rule that all dentist offices must be beige. As you sit in our lobby, you may find yourself drawn to our bookshelf. There you will find a large assortment of books with topics ranging from fashion, to architecture, to crafting, and all the way to Geek wisdom. There is something for everyone because this office is truly a place for everyone.

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I first began treating patients when I graduated from dental school in India. My greatest joy was easing patients fear and utilizing the knowledge I gained in school. When I moved to America, I had the option of taking an entrance exam to gain my dental license. As I was studying for the exam, I began to realize that there was still so much I did not know about dentistry. I had a choice to make, would I treat patients knowing that I could not provide them with the same level of expertise as other dentists, or would I attend an American university and gain the knowledge needed to be the very best dentist for my patients? Choosing to continue my education at the University of San Francisco, and then completing the Advanced Education in General Dentistry at University of the Pacific, was one of the greatest decisions I have made. I not only gained the knowledge I needed to perform dentistry at the highest level, but it also provided me the opportunity to treat dental phobic and medically complex patients. I gained a reputation at school for excelling at the therapy aspect of dentistry. By connecting with my patients on a personal level, I was able to calm their fears and gain their trust. The memories of those years in school still guide me today and I am proud to say that I have helped many individuals conquer their dental fears without the use of sedatives. 

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Providing the highest level of dental care involves not only the expertise of the dentist, but also the utilization of technology. I am committed to researching, testing, and applying the best technology available to insure that you are getting the best possible care. Having experienced dentistry in India where access to dental technology can be limited, I have a profound appreciation for technology’s ability to improve patients’ lives. From decreasing radiation exposure, eliminating lead exposure, to improved visual magnification and longer lasting materials, technology has the ability to transform the level of care I provide my patients. I take great pride in knowing that when a patient enters my office, they are receiving the best of the best because I feel that is what every individual deserves.

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I see you not as a number, not as a set of teeth, but as a person to whom I have the great honor of providing care. When you sit in my chair, I want you to know that I will treat you with the same kindness, respect, and authenticity that I provide to my family because in many ways, you are my family. I understand the anxiety and fear most people experience when in a dental office. I personally have undergone life risking medical emergencies twice in my life, so I know what it feels like to place your health, your body, and your trust in the hands of someone else. It is not something that I take lightly. When you are in my office, my goal is to take the time to know you, understand your fears, and rewrite your emotional response to dentistry. I am here to partner with you as you strive to improve your oral health. I will guide you every step of the way to reach your goals. Creating Permalla Dental Care and caring for its patients has been one of the greatest joys of my life, and I look forward to sharing that joy with you. 

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