The Evolving Dentistry: Dr. Sherna Sherief on Expanding Your Impact with an MBA (Part II)

Dr. Sherna Sherief: There are several emerging trends in the dental industry where an MBA could be particularly relevant:

1) Tele-dentistry: With the advancement of technology and the increasing demand for remote healthcare services, tele-dentistry is becoming more prevalent. An MBA can be instrumental in developing business models, marketing strategies, and operational frameworks for tele-dental practices, as well as navigating regulatory and reimbursement challenges associated with remote care delivery.

2) Dental technology startups: The dental industry is witnessing a surge in technological innovation, from digital imaging and diagnostics to 3D printing and artificial intelligence. Startups in this space require expertise in business development, product management, and strategic planning, areas where MBA graduates excel. An MBA can provide the necessary skills and knowledge to drive the growth and success of dental technology startups.

3) Dental product development: As consumer preferences and market demands evolve, there is a growing need for innovative dental products and services. An MBA can equip dental professionals with the business acumen to identify market opportunities, conduct market research, and develop and commercialize new dental products. Additionally, an MBA can help navigate the complexities of supply chain management, distribution channels, and regulatory compliance in bringing new products to market.

4) Practice management and consolidation: The dental industry is experiencing a trend towards practice consolidation, with larger dental groups and dental service organizations. An MBA can prepare dental professionals to effectively manage and scale dental practices, optimize operational efficiency, and navigate the complexities of mergers and acquisitions in the dental industry.

5) Insurance/Scribe/Medical coding/Content creators: Rather than being a service provider by doing scribing, medical coding, etc, an MBA holder can take the next bigger step of being a business provider as such.

Dr. Sherna Sherief: Ah, let's just say that my MBA program has sparked some intriguing thoughts and ideas related to dentistry. I'm not quite ready to unveil them just yet, because it's a half-baked cookie, and the plausibility and feasibility are still under question; but I am eagerly looking forward to exploring and nurturing these entrepreneurial sparks in the future. Who knows what the future holds?

Dr. Sherna Sherief: The MBA journey is just a crowning ceremony, one may not have a crown but still be a leader. True leadership comes from within—it's not something that can be taught in a classroom. However, the MBA program has helped me refine and strengthen my innate leadership abilities by exposing me to various management theories, case studies, and real-world challenges. MBA experience has provided me with valuable tools and strategies to handle conflict, negotiate, and delegate tasks more efficiently. MBA may or may not make one a leader, but can make you a great manager.

Managing teams effectively has been a significant aspect of my MBA journey. It hasn't always been easy, as I've had to navigate different personality types, conflicts, and competing priorities. Personally, for me, it was a handful as it involved dealing with various personality types on-bard to handle, I talked, fought, solved conflict, negotiated, identified who has what, delegated, micromanaged, tried to go solo, beat the temptation of doing it all alone and finally one will reach a fine line of efficiently managing a team. The key to great management is delegating, for that, you need to know people and trust them. For them to trust back, they should feel that you have their back. That’s a leader.

Dr. Sherna Sherief: As I have said before, challenges vary on an individual as well as institutional basis. Some challenges I will explain here: One significant challenge is adapting to the different paces and styles of learning. In the clinical setting, the focus is often on hands-on practice and immediate problem-solving, whereas in an academic environment, there's a greater emphasis on theoretical concepts, case studies, analysis, and strategic thinking. Yes, but there are case competitions and live projects, which will be helpful.

Additionally, navigating the shift from a primarily individual-focused role to one that requires collaboration and teamwork can be challenging. In dentistry, much of the work is autonomous, whereas in business and academia, success often depends on effective collaboration with peers and colleagues.

Furthermore, adjusting to the broader scope of decision-making and problem-solving in business can be daunting. In dentistry, decisions are often focused on individual patient care, whereas in business, decisions may have far-reaching implications for an organization and its stakeholders.

Finally, balancing the demands of academic coursework, networking opportunities, and extracurricular activities while maintaining a connection to one's clinical roots can be a juggling act. However, with resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to learn, these challenges can be navigated successfully, ultimately enriching the transition from clinical dentistry to the dynamic world of business-focused academia.

Some other challenges a medico might come across (which are very common but less told about) can be difficulty in grasping numericals, if math is not your cup of tea, an inferiority complex that might arise when you feel you are an alien there, difficulty keeping up with fast-paced world and difference in work ethic, etc

Dr. Sherna Sherief: My career aspirations post-MBA involve initially working in a corporate setting to gain valuable experience and insights into various facets of business management. Ultimately, I aim to leverage this experience to embark on entrepreneurial ventures in the healthcare industry.

While it's possible that my MBA might lead me away from direct patient care, I view this shift as an opportunity to broaden my impact. Rather than framing it as a move towards a strictly business-focused role, I call it ‘indirect patient care’ on a larger scale. As a dentist, I could only reach a limited number of people directly. However, with the skills and knowledge gained from my MBA, I can scale myself up to reach a wider audience and make a broader impact on healthcare delivery and management.

As for whether I would miss the clinical aspects of dentistry, it’s a ’No”. I believe that an added MBA can never take away what's already mine. My clinical skills and passion for patient care will always be a part of me, and I can always return to my roots. Setting up a dental clinic and returning to clinical practice is not a lost opportunity; rather, it's a path that remains open and available to me whenever I choose to pursue it.

Dr. Sherna Sherief: Before going for business administration or management, kindly question yourself why you want to do it. There can be a variety of reasons like disliking being a medico, career change, to be a manager in the healthcare sector, to get placements rather than a hospital duty, more money, entrepreneurship, etc. Your ‘why’ should then be followed with ‘how’.

For instance, to be an entrepreneur you actually need not learn an MBA, there are millions of successful entrepreneurs out there who just have a basic education. One of my friends always questioned me about taking up an MBA to be an entrepreneur when one could easily hire them to work for you. The decision should also depend on Return on Investment, opportunity cost, etc. So the importance lies in what you need the most. And looking from the other side this side might look greener, but it is not so. Remember that every path has its own pain.

Dr. Sherna Sherief: The demand for professionals with a background in both dentistry and business administration is steadily increasing in India's healthcare industry. As the healthcare landscape becomes increasingly complex and competitive, there is a growing recognition of the need for individuals who possess clinical expertise as well as business acumen to drive innovation and efficiency in healthcare delivery and management. This dual qualification opens doors to diverse career paths within both the healthcare and business sectors.

In the healthcare industry, individuals with a background in dentistry and business administration may pursue roles in healthcare management, hospital administration, healthcare consulting, healthcare technology startups, and healthcare policy and advocacy. Within the business sector, professionals with a background in dentistry and business administration may leverage their expertise to pursue careers in healthcare consulting firms, pharmaceutical and medical device companies, healthcare-focused venture capital and private equity firms, and healthcare marketing and sales roles.

Moreover, this dual qualification provides a unique advantage in interdisciplinary settings, where individuals can bridge the gap between clinical practice and business strategy. Whether it's optimizing dental practice operations, developing innovative dental products and services, or shaping healthcare policy and regulations, professionals with a background in both dentistry and business administration are well-positioned to make a meaningful impact on the future of healthcare in India and beyond.

Dr. Sherna Sherief: Looking ahead, I hope to make a significant impact at the intersection of dentistry, healthcare management, and business administration by driving innovation, improving access to quality care, and fostering sustainable growth in the healthcare sector. I aim to leverage my dual expertise to develop and implement advanced healthcare practices that integrate cutting-edge technology and evidence-based management strategies. By creating scalable business models and leveraging technology, I hope to bring quality care to those who need it most, reducing disparities and promoting better health outcomes. I hope to reshape policies that support sustainable healthcare practices and ensure that quality care is accessible to all. These are some of the impacts I hope to make, but as the world transforms, so do I. Who knows how my dreams will evolve?