Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Sabokpey
Hi Sara, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
From Emgineering to Dentistry:
When I immigrated to the US in 2004 I was an engineer with a knack for fashion and a clothing brand. But soon after I found the right job as an engineer, I decided that the commutes and the dynamics of my job was not my calling. I set out to reach my full potential by combining my artistic side and my science brain by exploring the field of dentistry as a researcher. I took some extension courses and shadowed some dentists.
I had made up my mind. I wanted to pursue a career in dentistry.
I applied to dental school and got accepted, but then in 2014 met and married my husband who had secured a residency position in Madison WI. So I gave up that dental school position and moved with him. I reapplied and got into the University of Maryland. He was going to transfer to John’s Hopkins University, but UCLA offered him a position first. So again I gave up dental school and moved to LA with him while pregnant with our first child . This time I only applied to UCLA and USC. I got into UCLA and started dental school with a 10 month old baby.
Graduation to pioneering a new concept in Dentistry:
I graduated in 2020! They called me a pandemic dentist! I worked hard all through the pandemic, seeing up to 34 patients a day. I took all the precautions, because I knew I wanted to work as much as possible and accelerate gaining experience so I could start my own practice. I worked at many different offices, in Down Town, Westchester, The Valley, North Hollywood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, etc. I gained a lot of dental experience but also learned a lot about how everyone felt about going to the dentist. While some people didn’t mind visiting their dentist most cringed at the idea. I knew I wanted to create a different kind of practice. So I kept researching and educating myself. I took more cosmetic courses, some integrative courses, such as dental acupuncture, PBM, etc. attended dental conventions and learned about the latest technology in the us and abroad. When I was taking a nutrition course through Harvard school of medicine, I got introduced to the concept of lifestyle medicine. It hit home! Everything made sense. I had to implement it into my practice. So I got to esthetically and functionally design a practice that would follow the concepts of lifestyle health and geared towards comfort and a pleasant experience. Because I knew the key to making a change was to create a compliance conducive concept. Which would be integrated into people’s lifestyle, elevate their habits, and allow them to enjoy the process.
Comfy Dental Studio was born. But at this time I had also given birth to my second child. So my new baby was 5 months old when I stepped foot into my new practice.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Challenges were many, from going back to school at an older age, to giving up dental school twice, attending dental school with a young child, working through a gut wrenching pandemic, finding the right location, securing funding, loosing the funding mid project, scrambling to find a new lender while pregnant, and starting a practice with a new baby. But they only proved my resilience and ability to maneuver and problem solve. For that I’m proud.
As you know, we’re big fans of Comfy Dental Studio of Beverly Hills. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Comfy Dental Studio is a first of its kind general and cosmetic dental studio in the heart of Beverly Hills. It is a Dental Wellness Club. We focus on integrative methods to promote a lifestyle approach to dentistry. What that mean is that we have created a dental oasis that is designed to soothe all senses. Curved walls, arched entries, no sharp edges, combined with soft soothing colors and rich grounding accents on an off white background and modern lighting. Our patients enjoy a lounge setting and wellness drinks upon entry while they use, robes, socks, and slippers and relax on a vibroacoustic bed for a deep meditation session before starting their dental journey. Our curated integrative services help patients enjoy a more natural yet evidence based approach to dental and overall wellness. Our cutting edge technology allows us to enhance the patient’s experience of cleanings, with an airflow machine (power washing the mouth with warm water and powder). We also provide laser dentistry for a more comfortable experience, by providing no anesthesia fillings, snoring therapy, gum surgeries, etc. We have ozone treatment solutions for faster healing and bad breath. We also work with premier clear Aligner companies offering more efficient and faster orthodontic treatments. We offer IV therapies, surgical solutions, nutritional counseling, mental health prevention solutions, and social events. We also work with various non profits to give back to the community and make the practice a truly holistic entity.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
We are also offering in house memberships at low monthly payments to cover essential preventative needs, such as exams, radiographs, cleanings, sound therapy, and social events. We also offer third party no interest and low interest financing, and work with some major insurances, to insure accessibility to all that are would like to be a part of our community.
Pricing:
- memberships start at : $144.25/ month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.comfydentalstudios.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/comfydental_studios?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
