Today we’d like to introduce you to Megha Pathak.
Megha, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
wow! That will be a long story!! I am not sure I can mentioned each detail here.
but briefly I can share few important event, experience and God’s guidance which led me to where I am right now.
I arrived in USA in Feb 2009 after marriage. My husband was medical resident in hospital in orlando, FL. First time in my life I sat in airplane and travelled overseas. Most wonderful experience. Initial few months were ok, as I was getting use to new routine, new country and setting up new home… after then things hit hard mentally as now what next? left my career, my family, friends and life back home in India and now need to start all over again ….
With support of my husband and my friends, I started my journey to become dentist here, Dental board exam, TOEFL exam, ECE evaluation, Letter of recommendation, volunteering, CE course and statement of purpose essay to begin my dental school admission applications…
Took my NBdE part 1 exam being 7 month pregnant , had my baby on March 2010. While being first time mom & kept preparing for my NBDE part 2 & applying to different dental school.
On my daughter’s 1st birthday match 2011, I had my 2 day interview at NOVA south Easter university.
In 2011 Thanks giving, I travelled first time alone in USA for my interview at SUNY at Buffalo school of dentistry for 2 day interview process, total 150 students came and they accepted 23 students. On DEC 1st 2011, I received a phone call and email regarding my acceptance in to SUNY Buffalo dental school.
We started planning our 2 year dental school and 3 month summer on board course, along with family, we moved to Buffalo NY, first time in North of USA state, little scare of winter as never seen snow before so didn’t know what to do…. 05/2012 we moved and summer program started, rented 2 bedroom apartment and new journey begin along with my daughter at that time 2.5 yr old , first time send her in to day care and it was hard to leave her first time under some other person’s care.
Along with enjoying season’s color change and god’s miracle unfolded in front of our eyes with autumn breeze & colors changes to winter snow and blizzards, spring beauty and Niagara fall picnic and eagerly waiting summer season to enjoy sunshine… I was getting 2 yr dental education complete… 06/2013, I applied for Prosthodontics residency and got accepted at UT health houston school of dentistry. I was feeling beyond grateful to become a specialist now…
03/2014 found out I was pregnant and same month had my WREB board exam for dentistry license. Mange to finish it and graduated in 05/2014. My parents came form India specially for my graduation, my brother, husband, in law’s and my daughter was present for my graduation and It was a very surreal moment to see my parents proud of me.
same month we relocated to houston and bought a town home here close to houston dental school. 07/2014, 3 yr prosthodontic residency journey started along with my other 3 co-resident who became my support and best friend for life … 10/2014, I had my 2 nd daughter and as a resident only got 15 days off after delivery…. hired a stay home nanny to take care of my new born while managing residency and breast feeding little baby during lunch break. … doing good cases, big cases, complicated cases, learned a lot. I was lucky to get 2 full mouth rehab case and complex denture and implant cases…. first time did research and it was a learning for me as I never did research in my life before, I search the word “meaning of Hypothesis” on google to understand. 10/2016 blessed with little boy and last 6 month of residency left which actually the most hardest 6 month of residency as we have to finish our cases, research, present poster, thesis defense to earn our master degree and most important our board exam. I work tirelessly, studied in closet so kids don’t find me and I get at least few hour of study done…. I have a pic of my little daughter come in closest and sit next to me and reading some of my dental books. and successfully in between diaper change, breast feeding, sleepless night and day time residency job…. successfully graduated on 05/2018 as Master of Science in Prosthodontics. For my this graduation I was over cloud 9 as all of my 3 kids were present to see how hard their mom work to became BDS, DDS, MS . They saw me studying, giving exam, managing home and family and career and earn the prestigious degree.
2017 we moved to Sugarland to start new life and give kids some time which they need from their parents.
Eldest daughter is now in 3 rd grade, GT student and going in elementry school, little daughter going in Montessori school and I took 6 month break to enjoy some time with little son. Stay at home mom life felt so good with those afternoon nap and lullaby and hug & kisses.
from 03/2018, I started working part time and now little boy also joined sister in Montessori school. We were becoming that working parents who juggle work and kids school pick up / drop off … since 2018 we had wonderful family trips and so much fun time with kids to Florida orlando, California san Diego, san francisco, lake Tahoe, yasomite national park, chicago, miami,, Austin , san antonio, corpus christi. … that time was good.
Then came 2020 pandemic… Clinic was closed for 3 month due to Mandatory closure, all kids were at home and I got to be their stay at home mom… making yummy lunch, colorful theme base snacks, DIY activity to keep them busy… making at home study guide and a lot of kids activity.
2021 May, I decided to do my start up clinic to manage kids better but inflation after pandemic was so much that I couldn’t take a risk and decided to continue working as associate dentist at few clinics.
finally in summer 2023, we took kids first time to India and I took 8 week long break from dentistry and stayed with kids in india at my parent’s home. After coming back from India trip, I decided to go for practice acquisition to better handle my finance and not to worry about start up cost.
I found this clinic in 11/2023 and did all right steps , LOI signed by both parties and closing date was set on 02/14/2024…
I told all offices that I am resigning from 02/01/2024 as I am buying new office and I like to focus full time now on my own practice. But seller backed out last day and other office also hired new dentist so in turn , I lost my job where I was working for more than 5 yr. My first attempt of practice acquisitions & it didn’t go as plan.
At that time, I did few locum job and helped one dental clinic where the owner dentist had stroke and they need some one to come regularly which helped me for 3 month, In mean time, I applied at UT health houston school of dentistry as Assistant professor position which was available for prosthodontic department. 05/13/2024 I joined dental school as part time faculty and following my Mom’s foot step of being teacher first time.
Luckily, the office which I put offer for acquisition, the owner filed bankruptcy and landlord gave my info to bank. Bank contacted me in 08/2024 to ask if I am interested in purchase as foreclosure.
I was beyond words as now the practice value came down and basically I am paying so low to get this nice office in good location. Closing happen on 10/17/2024 and got keys on 10/18/2024 , took first step inside my office now and started the new journey of becoming practice owner….
Office was a mess as it was closed for 8 month… but slowly got everything fixed and set up.
New buisness owner need alot of thing an I learn that and I guess now I am a pro of this ….
Got permit for signage , logo design, ordering equipment and material, marketing, referral card, visiting card, website design and selection… staff hiring, training, learning new EHR software….its like A, B, C of business….
on 01/25/2025 was opening date of Shan dental …
If you remember 01/21/2025 a texas snow day.. I though OMG how I am gonna do my opening ceremony and ribbon cutting in this cold weather.. But when you put your effort, good intention and faith in God… miracle happen.
by 01/25/2025 .. all snow melted, that day beautiful sun shine and opening ceremony was great… my Mom – dad’s dream came true and I am grateful of making it happen for them.
slowly and steadily build the name of my clinic. Went door to door in all general dental offices for marketing with goodie bag and visiting card, referral pad. Received great response from people and build my specialty clinic in Katy/ fulshear.
My staff asked me for more hours and I told them , I cannot leave my UT dental school job as I love being a teacher and sharing my knowledge with dental students, but I can help my staff by opening dental assisting school where my lead assistant can teach prospective dental assistant students.
Dec 2025, I started penning down some DA school ideas, searched on all platform , requirement, syllabus, what I can do different and better for my students.
01/2026 MY Dental Assisting school website design and logo work started. if you remember 01/17/2026 – texas snow day … 2 day off from UT dental school and clinic closed…I made logo and drafted all program and what I need in each program syllabus , dates, calendar timing, texas DA board requirement for licensing. 03/01/2026 we started MY Dental Assisting school. With just little marketing and word of mouth, we started with 2 student and currently they are training at Shan dental location.
My plan is that, all of my graduate students, we help them get texas license and also help them make resume, interview prep and make them competent DA to find job through my many dental group on FB, IG, whats app and word of mouth.
Hope my journey is an inspiration for some one who think its hard and its impossible and I don’t know english or I don’t know how to do it…. trust the process, start one step at a time, ask fop help, take a break when needed, get back on tract, do your 100 % and trust GOD and his Timing….
love,
DR. Megha Pathak.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
a lot of up and down … or i say some turnedo and hurricane, snow storm and snow blizzard,
or a first trimester nausea, carrying baby for 9 month and doing residency and sleepless night, breastfeeding and being resident….
or pandemic and taking care of 3 little kids and in-laws.
or you lost job and even though you put 100 % effort, played safe by hiring lawyer still you loose office acquisition ..
first dentist in whole family and first dental practice owner/ buisness owner in whole family who does not know what to do next…
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am an assistant professor at UT health Houston school of dentistry in Prosthodontics department teaching in preclinical and clinical subject along with in clinics to predoc dental student.
I am a owner dentist of Shan dental , Prosthodontics services only
Owner of MY dental assisting school
Most important role , I am a daugher, sister, wife, Mom, aunt & friend…..
I think I am proud of all of these role That defined me and shaped my life.
How do you define success?
Success is not just bunch of certificate hanging on wall, its not how much you are making…. its not how many car you have or how much $ in net worth or how big is your house or where you go on vacation….. how many friends you have or which party you attend….
success is when no matter how much you make or how big is your home or how you live…. anyone feel comfortable talking to you, feel comfortable to come to you to ask for help, don’t hesitate to say their problem,
success when you work not for your wish of making tons of money but you feel for others and wanted to help other by giving them job, making their life better….
success is you don’t have any fear on saying your secrets of your success as you want to see everyone happy and achieve their dreams.
success is no matter how much good thing you have in life, money, fame, luxury, friends, family, love, multimillion $ portfolio….. you are grounded by God’s guidance and blessings. YOu live life as disciple of your GOD.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shandental.com and www.mydentalassistingschool.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shandentalpro/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61570670882024
