Ambika Rani Srivastava, DMD, MPH
“My journey in dentistry has been shaped by a commitment to community health and a desire to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those I serve, regardless of geographic boundaries.”
Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Juneau, Alaska; Skagway, Alaska
Ambika Rani Srivastava, DMD, MPH, has a unique work environment, operating her practice bicoastally in Alabama and Alaska.
“My journey in dentistry has been shaped by a commitment to community health and a desire to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those I serve, regardless of geographic boundaries,” she said.
Srivastava is an associate dentist in pediatric offices in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Juneau, Alaska, as well as a federally qualified health center in Skagway, Alaska. Despite the many miles separating the states, Srivastava observed a similarity in how adolescents in those areas were not able to get the dental services they needed.
“As a general dentist, I provide essential dental care to adolescents in a familiar and supportive environment, ensuring they receive the comfort and quality of care they deserve,” Srivastava said.
As an educator and a clinician, Srivastava also finds immense fulfillment in mentoring the next generation of dental professionals. She serves as an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and is involved in organized dentistry through roles in the American Dental Association’s Institute for Diversity in Leadership and the AAWD.
Orthodontist Susan E. Whitt, DMD, regularly collaborates with Srivastava and nominated her as one of this year’s 10 Dentists to Watch.
“Dr. Srivastava’s contributions are making a lasting impact not only on her patients and commitment to underserved communities, but also on the broader field of dentistry through her teaching, leadership and community service,” Whitt said.
Srivastava’s future aspirations remain rooted in serving rural communities in Alaska and Alabama. She plans to engage in community outreach initiatives that promote dental health awareness and access to care.
“By fostering partnerships with local organizations and advocating for public health resources, I aspire to make a meaningful impact on both dentistry and patient care, ensuring that underserved populations receive the attention and services they deserve,” she said.