Today we’d like to introduce you to Ani Toomanian.
Hi Ani, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My interest in dentistry started in my early teens. Growing up, I had an oral habit of sucking my thumb until about the age of 11 and that oral habit led me to have poor alignment of my teeth and feel insecure about my smile and appearance. After I was treated with a team of dentists and orthodontists, my smile changed, I was confident and driven to maintain my oral health. My stepping stone into dentistry was receiving my bachelor’s in dental hygiene from USC. After being a dental hygienist for 1 year, I continued on into dental school at USC. After USC, I continued on into advanced education post-graduate training at UCLA. So you can tell my heart belongs to LA, born, raised and educated here. I continued to work at a wonderful family practice in Burbank, CA for nine years. At that office, I was mentored by Dr. Gulesserian, whom which I learned many a great deal. Quality over quantity, taking your time with each patient and making sure the work that you do is lasting. No shortcut. Within that nine years, I got married and had twin babies. Once my children started school, I was ready for the next move in my career. I wanted to be a practice owner, to combine what I had learned and bring that knowledge and experience to a new community. In March 2022, I opened Hello Kids Dental in Sunland-tujunga-la Crescenta community.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I was comfortable and happy at my previous job as an associate dentist, and making the decision to become a business owner was a very difficult one. Knowing it would take time away from my role as a parent was one of the main reasons I was hesitant. With guiding support of my husband and parents I decided to take the leap and now almost 1 year in, I realize that I have made the best choice for myself and my family. Many women struggle with the decision of being a working mom, staying at home and/or trying to keep a balance. What really helped me out is knowing I did not want to look back years down the line and say “I wish I did things differently or I should have taken the leap”, all accomplishments have challenges, that’s what makes the reward even greater.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Hello Kids Dental, we provide a safe, friendly and comfortable environment for our children, teens and young adult patients. We want to build a foundation for our patients, to be committed to lifelong oral health care, making sure visits to the dentist becomes a regular, routine part of their lives.
We do our very best to build an ongoing relationship between dentist and patient by offering dental care that is compassionate, comprehensive, continuous, and family-centered.
What is unique about our office is that we At Hello Kids Dental we do our very best to give a positive trauma-free office visit. We use no restraints in our office. We care about the emotional, physical and mental needs of all our patients and their families.
Another thing that sets us apart is we spend time to educate parents so that they can be a team players in their child’s oral health success.
We accept Medi-cal, PPO insurances and offer payment plan for cash patients. We are also a mercury-free (no silver fillings) dental office. We are open Saturdays and weekdays until 6:00pm. More information can be found on our website at www.hellokidsdentalgroup.com.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I can’t think of anything surprising except that I love what I do, enjoy going into work every day, and especially love when I see my patients outside of work and they run up to me and tell me how good they have been flossing or that they brush every night and morning.
On my spare time, I like to spend time with my children playing board games and baking. I love to play tennis on a weekly basis and enjoy hiking in local areas around LA.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hellokidsdentalgroup.com
- Instagram: hellokidsdental
- Facebook: hellokidsdental
Image Credits
Hilma Photography
