Episode
Title From India to Ownership: Dr. Toral Pandya’s Path to Purpose-Driven Dentistry

Description
In this episode of the Independent Dental Practice Podcast, Dr. Sonny Spera sits down with Dr. Toral Pandya, a California-based practice owner whose journey spans continents and challenges. Trained initially in India, Dr. Pandya shares her candid, inspiring story of immigrating to the U.S., navigating dental school with a young child, gaining invaluable experience as an associate, and ultimately taking the leap into practice ownership. She opens up about growing too fast, losing team members, managing a Medi-Cal-heavy patient base, and finding balance as a mother of two boys on the autism spectrum. Dr. Pandya’s passion for learning, integrating technology, and building long-term relationships with patients shines through as she reflects on lessons learned and offers advice to new dentists considering ownership.

Highlights
Dr. Pandya recounts her educational journey from dental school in India to the University of the Pacific. She discusses the unique advantages and challenges of owning a practice in a predominantly Medi-Cal demographic and how she strategically added technology like CEREC, iTero, and Yomi to elevate patient care. The episode also covers her personal growth as a leader, mistakes made early on in scaling too quickly, and how she found strength in discomfort and independence after experiencing corporate burnout during the pandemic.
 
Personal Passions Beyond clinical excellence, Dr. Pandya is deeply committed to service. She participates in Give Kids a Smile and has volunteered at facial deformity correction workshops. At home, she cherishes time with her husband and two sons, enjoys baking, and values her role as both a mother and a mentor. Her passion lies in providing comprehensive, compassionate dentistry and ensuring that every patient feels cared for beyond just their oral health.

Podcast Vision This episode aligns with the broader vision of Dentistry in General and the Independent Dental Practice Podcast: to spotlight real, raw, and relatable stories of practice ownership. By highlighting both the triumphs and trials, the conversation empowers dentists to pursue autonomy, think critically about their values, and create practices that reflect their vision and mission.

Connect with Dr. Sonny Spera:
📧 independentdentalpractice@gmail.com
 📧 independentdentalpractice@gmail.com

Connect with Dr. Toral Pandya:
📧 Toralpandyadds@gmail.com ___________________________________________________________________

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