‘I Create Beautiful Smiles’

Dr Ravina DUHAN responds to ThinkWellness360 questionnaire.

Why and how did you think of becoming a doctor? 

I’ve always been endowed with a natural empathetic element, right from my childhood. I like people around me to be happy and healthy. I also like to bring a smile on everyone’s face —  I’d reckon that this trait inspired me to be a doctor. The best part is — I just don’t make people smile. I also sculpt, nay create, beautiful smiles.

What made you think of, study and specialise in the system of medicine you now practice?

When one is ill, it’s almost a norm to visit a conventional, homeopathic, or Ayurveda physician — depending upon one’s preference, or choice. But, when one has a toothache, they obviously have to visit a dentist, not anyone else. This is unique — a prerogative that dentists have in their own right. This made me fall in love with dentistry.

What has been your personal and professional experience as a doctor?

Being a doctor provides you with the opportunity to shaping yourself as a caring individual. You learn to dabble, by reflex, in human psychology, no less. There’s no need to guess. My favourite subject is child psychology. This prompts you to know several facets about children and also why they behave in a particular manner. From the professional standpoint, it has been, for me, a beautiful journey, more so because I’ve not just practiced as a doctor, but also because I’ve been a part of the corporate world for more than a few years. This is one part. On the other, no award, or recognition, gives me the transcendent peace and happiness equivalent to a patient’s genuine smile, also blessing, following successful treatment.

What unique and special skills you think you have that has made the big difference for your patients?

I believe my strength is my connect with my patients and my ability to making them understand the importance of right and appropriate dental treatment. This, I reckon, ‘ups’ my patients’ trust in me. Transparency, or being open-minded, with patients’ treatment, as also outcomes, adds, as we all know, not just value, but also conviction.

What is your best definition of optimal wellness and why? 

Optimal wellness, for me, relates to a person being mentally, physically and emotionally healthy. When I look at the concept, in the philosophical context, I would, doubtless, contend that optimal wellness is not just harmony, but also peace and balance in the person’s mind, body and soul.

Your ‘best’ case?

It is best that this ‘case in question’ is not interpreted as my ‘best’ from the medical viewpoint. It was a normal denture case, which I’d to deliver to my patient, who used to commute from Panipat to Bahadurgarh, with minimal visits. The patient gave me a call a week after the denture was delivered to report that he was delighted with it. Such feedback, also blessings, bring immense pleasure; they instil a sense of confidence.

Your ‘not-so-good’ case?

I am, fortunately, blessed to have no such case, so far.

What appeals to you the most?

Water bodies — the river and the sea — attract me the most. I love little kids, with their own ‘auguries of innocence,’ albeit they’d be more than just a tad different from what the great English poet William Blake articulated. This makes my day.

What annoys you the most?

Disrespect and conflict — at the drop of a thought.

Your favourite book?

Be Brave, Not Perfect by Reshma Saujani. I recommend the book to everyone I know, or don’t know.

Your favourite joke?

Anything and everything by Anubhav Singh Bassi and Zakir Khan.

Your favourite song?

I am a music lover — I’ve a huge ‘repertoire’ of my most favourite songs. But, to ‘cut’ a long list short, I’d go for — Kisi roz tumse mulakat hogi [Pardes], Kab tak chup baithe [Dil To Pagal Hai], and O‘Meri Laila [Laila Majnu].

Your favourite movie? 

Dil To Pagal Hai and Harry Potter film series.

Your favourite TV, Netflix show? 

Vampire Diaries, Four More Shots Please! [Season 1 and 2].

Your other interests, or hobbies?

Dance and music; all artistic things; and, long drives.

Your goal in life?

To instil, not simply teach, kindness and empathy to my kids and make them good human beings. To be a successful entrepreneur, the most trustworthy dentist in the country, the best CHRO with a chain of homeopathic clinics, and a healthcare company, that I’m associated with, aside from being the best coach and trainer for doctors in the corporate world — through a venture that I’ve launched recently —and, helping them to managing their clinics in the best professional manner.

Dr RAVINA DUHAN, BDS, PGD in Hospital and Healthcare Management [Symbiosis], PGD in Strategic Human Resource Management [IIM-Calcutta], is a renowned dentist. What sets her apart is her professional expertise in business management. Besides her clinical practice at Dentoamigo, Dr Duhan is also Head HR and Founding Member @ Homoeo Amigo, a chain of speciality homeopathic clinics, in New Delhi, NCR, and Kolkata. She is now on the verge of giving deft, finishing touches to her new venture, Brewing Doctors, which is keyed to be a state-of-the-art platform for doctors — not just as a specialised training centre in various areas of hospital and clinic management, but also advanced clinical knowledge and practice. She lives in New Delhi, India.