DR. SABIHA BUNEK ON MICHIGAN SPORTS, WOMEN IN DENTISTRY AND WHY HER SPIRIT ANIMAL SAYS “QUACK.”

FROM AN EARLY AGE, I was taught by my late father to question and understand how things work; every task was an opportunity to help develop my critical-thinking skills. My ability to problem-solve, desire to work with people and love for the sciences drew me to dentistry in early 2000.

In addition to clinical dentistry, my analytical side enjoys the challenge of what we do at The Dental Advisor. I enjoy the confidence that comes with knowing the science behind how and why products work the way they do.

The increase in women in dentistry has brought a number of positive changes. However, they’re not equally represented in leadership or continuing education. I’ve been proud to break through that ceiling onto the national and international lecture circuit.

When I initially entered the lecture circuit, I tried to emulate what I thought was most presenters’ style: loud, arms flailing. I failed miserably. It took a couple years to become comfortable.

As clichéd as it sounds, be yourself and develop your own style. I’m able now to fully
embrace that I’m a science nerd who likes humor, college football and fashion.

“Be yourself. I’m able now to embrace that I’m a science nerd who likes humor, college football and fashion.”

One bad seed in an organization can ruin any team. For a team to be truly successful, everyone must be passionate about what they do and trust the people they’re doing it with.

My relationship with my mentors, [Dental Advisor cofounders] Dr. John Powers and
Dr. John Farah, has had a profound influence. I’ve been blessed to have them both by my side since my introduction to The Dental Advisor.

I’m a wife, mother, dentist and CEO of The Dental Advisor, so my schedule is anything but simple. It can be extremely difficult to find the right balance between family and work —but for me there’s no balance without prioritizing family.

Outside of dentistry, my interests include travel, fanatic devotion to University of Michigan sports, snowboarding and staying active in the Ann Arbor community. I have an amazing, proud
and supportive husband and two beautiful, spirited children who bring me immeasurable joy and inspiration every day.

My spirit animal is a duck: calm and unruffled on the surface but paddling like hell underwater.

Dr. Sabiha Bunek, 37, is a dentist, lecturer and CEO of The Dental Advisor. A member of Incisal Edge’s 40 Under 40 in 2013, she lives in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and practices at Enspire Dental.