Sheila M. Samaddar, DDS, took a roundabout journey to becoming a dentist, but, along the way, she picked up a unique set of skills that benefit her as a general practitioner, president of the Washington, D.C., AGD chapter and a national AGD spokesperson. She shared her story with AGD Impact and how she hopes to shape the organization through her leadership roles. 

AGD Impact: Why did you become a dentist, and what has your professional journey been like? 

Samaddar: I’m a third-generation doctor on both sides of my family, with my mom’s side representing dentistry, but I was hesitant about becoming a dentist. I wanted to make sure I was following my own path and not just doing it because of family pressure. I didn’t major in science in undergrad — I majored in communication, working in TV while in college — and I took time off after graduation. One of my lifelong passions was dancing, so I traveled internationally, performing with a group for a year. When I returned, I was unsure what my path would be, and my parents said, “Why don’t you just go ahead and take your prerequisites for dental school and see what happens.” So, I applied to dental school and didn’t hear anything. When I got an offer to go back out on the road as a dance captain, I took it. I knew that dancing wasn’t going to be my long-term career, but it was something fun I could do while I figured things out. One day, a few months later, I got a call from my mother, and she said, “You didn’t leave a forwarding address, and Howard University College of Dentistry couldn’t get in touch with you. You got in, and you have to be in D.C. tomorrow.” I had to make a quick decision, as I was across the country, preparing to leave for six months abroad with my new job in a matter of days. I still love dancing as a hobby (I’m currently on a senior NBA dance team), but I can’t imagine doing anything other than dentistry at this point. It fits me perfectly. 

What is your treatment philosophy? 

My mother shaped the way I practice dentistry. She has been my biggest mentor and supporter. I started helping in her office when I was 7, answering phones, assisting her and developing radiographs. The biggest thing I learned from her was how personal dentistry is through how she developed deep, trusting relationships with her patients. My team thinks I talk too long with patients, but I feel our patients really connect with a personalized touch. I was also a cheerleader through college, and I think having that kind of upbeat attitude in patient communication is really helpful. I used to be sheepish about telling people that part of my past, but now I feel that it shouldn’t be embarrassing. It’s nice to see a friendly face in the dental office. It takes lots of energy, but it’s what people really need, especially now. I always want the best possible outcomes for my patients. I also want to be sure to present a comprehensive approach with several different options because I know not everyone can do the big-ticket treatment plans. I try to educate my patients to be sure they know why certain recommendations are made and what the potential repercussions could be if they are unable to follow through. I never want anyone to feel shame that they have not been to the dentist or that their teeth have issues. We work in a very delicate field, and there is no reason we cannot be kind when we counsel our patients.

Why did you join AGD, and what has your experience with the organization been? Why do you feel it is important to take on leadership roles? 

I initially joined to be a part of something bigger. There were a lot of things I wanted to do with my education after dental school, including residency, and I thought of AGD as a partner in my journey to become the absolute best practitioner I could be. When I attended my first Washington, D.C., AGD meeting, the president at the time — John W. Drumm, DMD — immediately welcomed me. His spirit and excitement about what AGD does for dentists, from mentorship and networking to education and advocacy, was inspiring. I can’t say enough about how he mentored and encouraged me to develop my leadership skills. On all AGD levels, I have had nothing but positive support from my colleagues. The camaraderie is unmatched, as well as the passion our AGD leaders have for our profession. It’s important for more people to seek leadership roles in organized dentistry because we need fresh ideas, enthusiasm and representation from a diverse array of people. Our membership, and dentistry as a whole, skews older, whiter and more male than the general population. We need their voices, but we also need women, minority groups and younger dentists who are underrepresented within AGD. In leadership meetings, I am often the youngest person in the room, and I’m over 50. That needs to change. 

What advice do you have for other dentists who are considering getting involved with AGD? 

Dentistry can be a really isolating, exhausting profession. We don’t always have another doctor to consult with or talk to about cases, educational topics, or even just how much pressure we have daily. Those are things to which team members and even spouses are unable to relate. But AGD is a collective group of dentists who care about the profession, each other and being as educated as possible throughout their professional journeys. I personally have received so much from being an active member and am grateful for the opportunities I’ve had to represent AGD locally, regionally and nationally. I truly feel that all general dentists should be AGD members if they want to continue being educationally competitive in our field, and I hope that, by joining or becoming more involved, they will be able to both give and receive in the same ways I have.