FYI

Each quarter, we highlight dental professionals and office staff who have been nominated by their peers in recognition of their exceptional work for both their patients and their communities. We’re proud to announce our latest winner, Dr. Maryam Edalat.

Dr. Edalat’s practice is in New York City, near Central Park. We talked to her recently about her life, career and commitment to serving patients.

Tell us about yourself and how you got to where you are today.

I was born in Iran, and we moved here in 1979 after the revolution. I went to public schools in New York City and went to high school in New Jersey. But I came back out to New York to go to NYU, and I was there through dental school and periodontal school. After that, I started working at our family’s private practice, where my father was the founder.
 

Why did you decide to become a dentist?

I've always liked science. I'm fascinated by research. So, I thought about many different avenues I could have gone down. I wanted to study neuroscience for a while and become a surgeon. But working with my father inspired me. He had built a school back home in Iran from the ground up. He was a master of his work. I loved watching him work and assisting him. Seeing the love that he had for what he did and, more than that, the people, the patients that he worked with, that's really why I chose this.
 
It was watching him work and the love he had for it. I love watching anybody work who does anything really well. I think it's really impressive, and he was one of those people. So that was where I found the love for doing what I do.

What does a typical day look like for you?

I like to go in a little bit early. I have a quick meeting with my team to catch up on the schedule for the day and anything we need to know. We like to meditate together. I'm a proponent of keeping our energy aligned with our patients’. I think it matters a lot.
 
We try to create value for every single patient, meaning do the best we can, even if they do not have insurance. Everyone has challenges they’re dealing with. Our goal is to provide the best possible support for each patient, so we take the time to talk through those concerns with them.
 
I do not double book my practice. I see each patient as much as I can. I have a slot for each patient, so I have a good amount of time for them. I love talking to my patients. I know them all. I know about their families.
 

Can you tell us a little bit about your volunteer work and involvement in the community?

The community service starts in my practice. So what I mean by that is if a patient says are experiencing financial difficulty, we'll work with them. We'll make it easier for them to stretch payment out.
 
I deal with a lot of fearful patients and patients who put work off that they need because they’re afraid. I help them walk through that fear with conscious sedation.

I’m all about prevention. As a surgeon, I do all different kinds of cosmetic and surgical work, but all of that starts with prevention. That's how I work with the community. I get them involved and help them understand that they can take their health back into their own hands.
 

What do you think the future holds for the dental industry?

As I said to you before, prevention, prevention, prevention. I believe in things that keep people from needing periodontal surgery.
 
Another way is by educating people on their diet, their lifestyles, and they're on board. Once they get the instruction, they want to know how they can help themselves because the body is an incredible healing machine.
 

So, what do you like to do in your free time?

That’s easy. I love New York and love to explore my city on Fridays. Usually, I have the day off and go to the gym. I choose a different gym location than my own so I can walk around the city.
 
I like to take photos of New York and get to know it a bit more. I take walking tours and enjoy old bookstores, especially the mom-and-pop businesses.
 

What's some advice you would give to recent graduates of dental school when they're starting out?

I would tell them they’re in a very noble field. You're helping people take it seriously. You are not there just to make money and you're not there to check off boxes. These people depend on you, so you need to really be in tune with the people sitting in your chair and asking for your advice. It's important to stay really alert and aligned again with your purpose. The purpose we have here is first to cause no harm and to create value.

Thank you, Dr. Edalat, for taking the time for an interview and for all that you do for your patients and your community. Congratulations on being chosen as a Smile Star.

You can visit Dr. Edalat’s practice’s website for more information.

Do you know someone who should be a Smile Star? Email us at smileaward@delta.org with their contact information and the reason your nominee should win this award or complete the Smile Star Award nomination form.