To request an appointment at our new practice, Aashvi Smiles Dental Group located in San Carlos, CA, click here.
There’s one key difference between us and any other practice that you have been to before, or that I have worked at before!
The difference with Aashvi Smiles Dental Group is time. We serve the communities of San Carlos, Belmont, Redwood City, Palo Alto, San Mateo and Foster City with our time.
I’ve been working as a dentist since late 2018. A few big group practices and other small, private practices. Over the past three years I also worked as an independent contractor serving patients with disabilities in their homes.
Focus
I’ve found that in all these models, the magic truly happens when the team and patient do not feel rushed. We do our best work when we have enough time and focus on just each other in that moment.
This is only possible if we are seeing one patient at a time. Dentistry today has evolved drastically to keep up with the medical model of insurance-dependent hospitals. Our profession is slowly but surely following in those footsteps. Most dentists are seeing three adult patients at the same time, whereas a few orthodontic and pediatric providers are seeing far more. Does that sound absurd?
Medical model
Not when you compare us to our physician colleagues. Physicians see multiple patients at the same time, and have been doing so for decades. It is a norm in their world and has contributed to much burnout. Such a norm, that waiting for your physician behind a closed door for 20-30 mins, while they ‘wrap up’ another patient, is almost expected.
I met with a new OBGYN a few months ago and was pleasantly surprised when she walked in right away. I happened to be her first patient of the day so her other patients were not here yet. This is in sharp contrast to the pediatrician I take my daughter to. He has a pager and will often receive pages from his team saying ‘room 5 is ready’, or ‘room 4 is ready for their shot’. Despite this chaos running in the back of his head, he is an amazing doctor. While he is very good at juggling the circus, most of us are not made for that kind of work. We do not do our best work when we are thinking of 3-4 other patients at the same time.
Dental services in your home
For the last three years, I have been exclusively offering dental services in a home setting in San Mateo County. Many of my patients are those with disabilities, both kids and adults, others are those with complex medical histories or sensitivities. In this scenario we have no option but to focus on one patient at a time. And because it can take us many weeks or months to get back to each patient, due to us traveling to each home, we do same day dentistry and treat each patient comprehensively.
Today, I think it’s the only way I understand how to deliver dentistry. It helps me do my best work, and most importantly, listen to and befriend my patient.
Joy in connection
My greatest joy in dentistry lies in connecting with patients and getting to know them as people. The only way to do that is by spending enough time with them. So when you come to see us in San Carlos for your dental needs, you can assume you are coming in to see your friends. My team and I want to get to know you and craft your treatment plan to suit your needs.
Family
Ever since I had my son, I’ve understood the importance of schedules to a degree I didn’t think was needed. Between the four of us, there are many visits to coordinate. I recently cancelled Aashvi’s dental visit and haven’t had the time to reschedule it. Plus, her pediatric dentist does not offer online scheduling (and also tends to see multiple patients at the same time, leading to consistent delays). However, I was also thinking of how amazing it would be if we could find a dentist that would be able to see everyone in the family.
Aashvi Smiles Dental Group would be that practice for families in San Carlos, Belmont, Redwood City, San Mateo, Foster City and Palo Alto. We love seeing patients of all ages and are able to accommodate family appointments. This means that while your kid is having their teeth cleaned in one room, you could have your teeth checked by us. After the appointment, mom can get a cappuccino and the toddler can have coconut water!
Friendship and Trust
We are excited to serve the City of Good Living and its neighbors this Fall. And to work towards earning your friendship and your trust. To request an appointment, click here.