Dr. Sam Kherani
Chief Dental Officer at 123Dentist
What are the two key qualities you look for in a new team member?
Attitude and good self-esteem. Attitude cannot be taught, but an individual who already has a good attitude can be taught most of what one needs to know. Good self-esteem makes sure that the person will be responsible for one’s own happiness even when working hard and dealing with day-to-day pressures. When working in teams, one cannot like other team members if one does not like oneself (poor self-esteem).
What is the one piece of equipment you could not work without?
We were trained with no gloves (washing hands after each patient), no masks, no loupes, no lights on loupes, etc. I would not practice without a minimum 2.5X magnification and lights attached to the loupes. It leads to significantly less stress since one can see everything and leads to superior dentistry, which our patients deserve.
What is the most important piece of advice you would give to a new practitioner?
Focus on the wellbeing of your patients and your team first and the rest will follow. Focusing on the wrong things first (such as production, profit, etc.) leads to future problems and does not result in a win-win-win end result.
What would you consider your greatest achievement?
Having learned a lot by acquiring education in the dental world and the business world. Using all the acquired practical knowledge to then teach thousands of dentists complicated dental procedures and sharing business acumen, so that they are best positioned to create win-win-win scenarios for all in their world.
What is your biggest day-to-day challenge?
My main goal is to make this world a better place as best as I can. Whether I treat a patient or talk to a team member or give advice to an acquaintance, I aim to have a balanced mind and body so that I am able to lift others up as best as I can. This has to be done everyday and not just on days that one is feeling great.
What have you observed to be the biggest change to the dentistry profession since you began your career?
There has been a significant increase in information and technology, which is all very good. Patients come in with a lot of information and expectations. Dentists have many different evolved technologies to provide positive treatment outcomes to patients. The market demands that all aspects are transparent, and this forces everyone to deliver the best they can. Additionally, the advent of Corporate Dentistry (DSOs) allows dentists to focus on what they do best and allows business professionals to make sure patients and dentists get the best outcomes.
Dr. Kherani received his DDS from the University of Western Ontario in 1981. He maintains a successful general dental practice in Calgary, Canada, with an emphasis on aesthetics, TMD and Sleep Breathing Disorders. A practicing dentist for over 40 years, he founded The Millennium Institute as the first live patient training institute in Calgary. In 2016, he received his MBA from Wharton and, in 2018, Dr. Kherani was appointed Chief Dental Officer by 123Dentist and charged with managing organic growth initiatives through educational endeavors.
Sponsored by: 
