I establish an emotional connection with the patients, try to understand their wishes, and then we discuss and plan each step and procedure together
Sopho Dalalishvili is a successful Georgian dentist who does her job with great responsibility and love. For her, the greatest satisfaction comes in seeing the bright eyes of happy patients with happy smiles. We spoke Sopho to learn more about her activities and the rules of oral care.
“I’m an orthopedic dentist by profession, which means restoring chewing function and maintaining the aesthetics of the oral cavity. Orthopedics is one of the most important directions in dentistry, which serves to diagnose and treat disorders of the complete the jaw-tooth system.”
When and why did you decide to choose orthopedics? Where did you get your education?
At a young age, I was very interested in art. So I tried to choose a profession in which I could fully express my vision and talent. I think I made the right choice. I studied orthopedics at Tbilisi State Medical University.
What do you like most about your profession?
I love the moment when a patient leaves my office with bright eyes and a happy smile. That’s when I feel like I achieved my goal. I’m proud that I can fulfill their childhood dreams and give people a chance to perceive, appreciate and love themselves objectively.
How do you deal with patients who are afraid of the dentist?
Fortunately, patients with dental phobias are less common today. However, I have a special approach to people who are afraid of dentists: I create a comfortable environment for them that helps relieve tension and make them feel safe and secure. Accordingly, in this process, I establish an emotional connection with the patients, try to understand their wishes, and then we discuss and plan each step and procedure together.
There is no standard oral care technique because each patient is individual and therefore their routine is different.
Tell us about the pros and cons of your profession.
The main challenge in my profession is taking responsibility for the patient, meeting their expectations, and satisfying their desires. It is this challenge that motivates me to achieve the best results. Most importantly, I think I’m in the right place and am doing the work that I love, and it gives me great pleasure. I really found myself in this profession. The main advantage is that I change people’s lives on a daily basis.
Is there a natural way to maintain white teeth?
Of course, there is. Everything depends on oral hygiene and proper care.
How often should we check our teeth?
There is no exact standard. However, it is advisable to check your teeth with a professional 2-3 times a year.
Tell us about your future plans.
My career spans 14 years. Orthopedics is a diverse, evolving, and inexhaustible field. Today, I actively participate in lectures and masterclasses held in different countries of the world, I master innovations and develop daily. I love my profession immensely and in the future, I plan to pass on my accumulated knowledge and experience to the next generation.
By Ketevan Tukhashvili, Translated by Ketevan Skhirtladze
