The View from 2041
As Incisal Edge’s 40 Under 40 celebrates its sixteenth year, our current honorees look ahead to 2041 and reveal a generation whose boldest idea may be putting purpose ahead of conventional success. To see whether their predictions will hold water, we also catch up with two wisdom teeth from the inaugural Class of 2011.
WHAT QUALITIES WILL DEFINE great dental leaders? Will technology make dentistry more efficient, more human-centered or both? What will success look like? What are today’s brightest lights working to change about the profession? And if given the chance, would they choose dentistry all over again?
With 15 years of history officially behind us, we asked this year’s 40 Under 40 class to look a decade and a half into the future. The resulting vision of 2041 painted a surprisingly different picture of ambition than many might expect from a generation associated with growth, branding and entrepreneurial success.
Naturally, our honorees didn’t get this far without paying careful attention to practice growth and revenue. Everyone needs to make a living. But those themes can dominate podcasts and dentist-focused social media groups, sometimes fueling a distorted perception among both observers and aspiring doctors that today’s stars are relentless strivers prioritizing money, status and scale. After analyzing the forward-looking interviews from this year’s 40 Under 40 honorees, a more complete picture emerged. Again and again, respondents looked beyond the present and envisioned futures defined more by purpose, family, mentorship, service, balance and community impact. Let’s dive in.
Never stop learning. Dental school teaches us how to read the book and write the sentences. Advanced education and passion give us the tools to write the book.”
—Dr. Tejal Kakade
Technology Strengthens Human Connection
Despite fatigue over constant AI chatter, this year’s 40 Under 40 class knows how it wants tech’s role to play out. “Children don’t remember whether the technology was cutting-edge. They remember whether they felt safe,” says Dr. Cindy Y. Lee of evergrow Pediatric Dentistry in New York City. Like Dr. Aditya Bhawsar of Lifetime Dental & Implant Center in Katy, Texas, many rejected the idea that efficiency and empathy will become opposing forces. “The common mistake is treating efficiency and humanity as a trade-off, when in reality, one makes room for the other,” Dr. Bhawsar says.
Others emphasized that tech’s greatest value should be giving back time. “Efficiency should always serve humanity, never replace it,” says Dr. Abhi Thakkar, dental clinical director at Camarena Health in California’s Central Valley. For Dr. Paul Kukunas of Kukunas Prosthodontics in Pittsburgh, that means preserving the most cherished resource: “The most valuable thing I can give patients is my time.” They’ll greet advances in AI, digital workflows and emerging technologies with open arms (and wallets)—but only when they make dentistry more personal, thoughtful and human.
Wisdom Teeth
THEN: When Dr. Kakade was named to the inaugural 40 Under 40 Class of 2011, the then-28-year-old—the youngest member of the group—had just returned to her Georgia hometown of Carrollton and launched a fully digital practice.
Dr. Tejal Kakade
Carrollton, Georgia
40 Under 40 Class of 2011
The future that today’s honorees envision may be closer than they think. Dr. Tejal Kakade has built a career around many of the same priorities.
On expectations vs. reality: “I expected a career in dentistry to provide the life I wanted. What I didn’t expect was to fall in love with what I do. I never imagined I would become so passionate about dentistry. My heart is so full and grateful for this surprise.”
NOW: She has built her thriving and still fully independent practice, earned her MAGD, completed Kois training and
become board-certified in orofacial pain. Yet her biggest revelation wasn’t professional success.
On a lifelong commitment to learning: What began as a challenge from her husband, fellow dentist Dr. Neal Kakade, evolved into a passion for continuing education. “Over the five years of the MAGD program, my passion to learn was ignited and my confidence to treat patients grew,” she says. “The magic happens after dental school.”
On industry consolidation: “I haven’t thought much about DSOs. I’ve tried to stay focused and work in a way that I know will return predictable outcomes.”
On what success means now: “I don’t think I fully knew what success and balance were in 2011, but I truly understand what they are today. A friend of mine once told me, ‘You can have anything you want, but you can’t have everything.’ We’re grateful that the hard work we put in early has given us the flexibility to be present with our three children.”
What she would tell her 28-year-old self today: “There is nothing too big to dream and build. Keep pushing forward.”
Leadership That Creates . . . More Leaders
Just a generation or two ago, many (if not most) dentists believed clinical skill was the No. 1 defining leadership credential. Not anymore. “That’s the price of entry, not the differentiator,” Dr. Bhawsar says. Instead, this year’s 40 Under 40 class repeatedly pointed to service, courage, influence . . . and the ability to help others grow. “The next generation of dental leaders will need to be human first and clinician second,” says Dr. Mohita Sharma of Clovis Family Dentistry in Clovis, California—a striking observation as concerns linger about health care technlogy eclipsing human interaction.
“Great leaders will have the heart, passion and vision to move the profession forward and create opportunities for others to succeed,” says Dr. Rebecca Hsieh of Montclair Pediatric Dentistry in Oakland, California. The consensus says humility and curiosity must trump confidence and skill. “Leadership isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about asking the right questions and creating space for others to grow,” Dr. Thakkar says.
At the practice level, Dr. Ratrice Jackson of Texas Tiny Teeth Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in Dallas emphasizes bringing people and ideas together: “Leadership will increasingly require the ability to connect with teams, navigate change, embrace technology and create environments where people feel valued.” As always, it takes grit. “Success rarely belongs to the most talented person in the room; it belongs to the person who can endure setback after setback without losing their enthusiasm for the journey,” says Dr. Jeff Goldsmith of Webb Goldsmith Orthodontics in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Making Dentists Matter Even More
So we know what an ideal future looks like. How do we get there? For many in this year’s 40 Under 40, the answer begins with breaking down barriers between oral and overall health. “If I could change one thing about dentistry, it would be the way we sometimes separate the mouth from the whole child,” says Dr. Jessica Simon of Pure Hearts Pediatric Dentistry, also in Charlotte. Dr. Thakkar sees the same problem on a broader scale: “Fragmentation limits our profession’s impact. We sometimes focus so narrowly on individual procedures or immediate concerns that we lose sight of the bigger picture.”
Others believe the solution starts with prevention. Dr. Franklyn Aguebor, owner of multiple practices in New York City, would “like to see a continued shift toward prevention and early intervention, rather than a system that is often centered around reactive care.” He points to expanding education, improving access to routine care and strengthening community-based prevention programs as practical paths forward.
Dr. Julie Au of Central Dental Care in Chino, California, wants to “create a system that better aligns patient access, preventive care and long-term oral health outcomes.” While she’s quick to note that insurance “has helped millions of patients receive care,” she also strives to reduce what she sees as unnecessary confusion around treatment options and financial responsibilities. Underlying all these concerns is a larger reality for far too many. As Dr. Stella C. Stavrou of Cusp Dentistry in Los Angeles, and a member of UCLA’s dental faculty, puts it: “Dentistry is still too often viewed as a luxury rather than a necessity.”
Several members of this year’s class hope to address that through direct service. Dr. Aguebor is planning a future that includes global mission work, as is Dr. Bhawsar, who says he wants giving back to be “a fixed part of my calendar, not an afterthought.” Meanwhile, Dr. Rasheeda Johnson is building her Fairfax, Virginia–based Dentcare Now practice concept around expanding access to care. She wants dentistry to “let go of the idea that it’s the patient’s ‘fault’ for neglecting their teeth, so now we charge them to fix it,” and instead “shift care toward prevention, and reward patients for staying ahead of problems instead of only paying to fix them.” A mentee since adolescence, Dr. Johnson knows firsthand the impact that guidance can have. Future 40 Under 40 hopefuls, take note: Dentists like Dr. Johnson aren’t just rethinking patient care. They’re actively looking for the next generation of leaders to bring along with them. “I want to mentor dentists who feel they don’t fit the mold, the ones with ideas about access and care that don’t fit the box,” she says.
Don’t be afraid to dream big.”
—Dr. John Carson
Do-Overs?
The overwhelming majority of this year’s honorees said they’d choose dentistry again without hesitation. Dr. Aguebor puts it simply: “Absolutely, I would do it ten times over.” Dr. Cindy Y. Lee echoes that sentiment: “I would choose the same path. Not because it was easy, but because it has been meaningful.” Dr. Danielle Alyse Brown, a full-time clinical dentist at Glidewell, the Southern California–based dental laboratory and technology company, was likewise enthusiastic: “I’m happy I made the choices I made, because they brought me here, to this moment, with a career beyond any of my wildest dreams.”
A few respondents offered minor caveats like wishing they had learned the business side earlier or trusted their instincts sooner. But Dr. Jae M. Grymes of Delaware Pediatric Dentistry in Milford, Delaware, offered a pointedly thoughtful reflection on society’s expectation that twentysomethings lock in a career path for life: “Honestly, I’m not entirely sure [if I’d become a dentist again], and I think that’s OK to say out loud. I am a completely different human than the 22-year-old who made that decision. What I can say with certainty is that I am deeply grateful for where it has led me, and for the version of myself I have become along the way.”
The prize for biggest curveball goes to Dr. Satya Upadhyayula of Dental Care of Cookeville in Tennessee. “No,” he says about choosing the same path again. But (wait for it): “Not because I regret a single moment, but out of curiosity. I find myself wondering what I could accomplish if I carried all this knowledge and experience into a different field.” Well played, Dr. Upadhyayula.
Wisdom Teeth
THEN: Though he’d been practicing just 11 years when he was honored in 2011, the then-37-year-old Dr. Carson was already called a visionary by colleagues and built a practice around “team, passion and energy,” he told us. “These three ingredients are interlocked.”
Dr. John Carson
Tucson, Arizona
40 Under 40 Class of 2011
Today’s honorees are passionate about mentoring and defining success on their own terms. Dr. Carson is convinced that’s exactly the right approach.
On whether the last 15 years have met his expectations: Thanks to “great mentors early on that helped us establish some pretty lofty goals,” Dr. Carson says, “we have not only met our goals and vision; in many aspects we have crushed them.”
NOW: Fifteen years later, Dr. Carson remains a committed independent practice owner and mentor, encouraging young dentists to trust the process, define their goals—and not shy away from being ambitious.
On leadership, mentoring and advice: “You can 100 percent be a mentor and mentee at the same time,” he says. “For the best mentors, the end point keeps moving like the horizon.”
On the future of dentistry: “I’m optimistic. To be clear, corporate dentistry is right for some doctors and patients,” he says. But he worries about the decline of independently owned practices, private equity’s influence and “clinics in dental schools named and funded by insurance companies.”
On practice ownership and business evolution: “The biggest advantage is you get to steer the ship and make the decisions versus someone else calling the shots,” he says. Early on, as a scratch startup, attracting patients was the priority. “The key was making a plan to grow into what we do now.”
Advice to young dentists: “Define both long-term and short-term goals, and don’t be afraid to dream big,” he says. “If your long-term goal is significantly different than where you are now, the process will likely need to be an evolution, not a revolution.”
On Their Own Terms
So how do our 40 Under 40 hope that redefining success will improve not only their day-to-day work but also their personal lives? Almost no one mentions a bigger paycheck. “If 15 years from now I can end each day feeling fulfilled by my work, present for my family and grateful for the impact I’ve made, I would consider that a successful career and a life well-lived,” Dr. Lee says.
Many respondents choose not to define success by what they’ve accumulated but by the freedom to spend their time on what matters most. Dr. Kukunas imagines finishing the workday and “going home to my children and chasing them around our ten-acre farm until dinnertime and then resetting with my wife for the next day on our porch swing till dusk.” Dr. Melissa Torres of Miel Dental Aesthetics in Peabody, Massachusetts, defines success as “creating a life where I have the freedom to choose how I spend my time while
making a meaningful impact on others.”
If in 15 years I can end each day feeling fulfilled by my work, present for my family and grateful for the impact I’ve made, I would consider that a successful career and a life well-lived.”
—Dr. Cindy Y. Lee
Old-Fashioned Values
Are the New Direction
Caring about patients, mentoring and service has long been woven through dentistry’s DNA. The surprise is how consistently this year’s 40 Under 40 honorees report building an intentional future around those values instead of treating them as enjoyable extras to pursue after achieving success. The Class of 2026 consistently looked beyond popular benchmarks in favor of impact, purpose and opportunity. As Dr. Aguebor puts it, “I want my work to be driven by purpose rather than production.”
They’re not rejecting ambition; they’re redefining it. And while they’re embracing dentistry’s oldest values with renewed vigor, they’re equally willing to challenge old assumptions. Too idealistic? The experiences of Drs. Tejal Kakade and John Carson, two members of the inaugural 40 Under 40 Class of 2011, suggest otherwise (see “Wisdom Teeth,” pages 83 and 85). Dr. Cody Kriegel of Vios Dental in North Liberty, Iowa, one of this year’s honorees, drops the mic: “The best dentists will not be the ones who are most committed to the way things have always been done.”
By the Numbers
90%
of this year’s 40 Under 40 honorees believe dentistry will become both more efficient and more human-centered.
85%
are already teaching, mentoring, lecturing or otherwise actively planning to give more back to the profession.
80%
define future success by impact rather than income, prioritizing clinical excellence, freedom, family and balance.
75%
view lifelong learning and continuing education as essential to innovation, fulfillment and long-term relevance.
70%
say work-life balance matters and intentionally prioritize family, travel, wellness and being present.
Top Priorities for Change
70%
want more empathetic, people-centered leadership.
55%
want expanded access to care.
40%
would reform dental insurance.
35%
want stronger integration between dentistry and overall health care.
Methodology
Incisal Edge analyzed open-ended responses from this year’s 40 Under 40 honorees to identify recurring themes. Percentages are approximate and reflect editorial interpretation of the responses rather than statistically weighted survey data.
’Mad About You
EVERY YEAR, we spend countless hours scouting distinctive NYC locations for our 40 Under 40 photo shoot and celebration. This year, we fell hard for The Ned NoMad: a boutique hotel and private club in the high-style NoMad (“North of Madison Square”) Beaux Arts historic district. Situated within a tidy walk of Times Square to the north and Greenwich Village to the south, this sister property to London’s Ned opened in 2022 and maintains just enough distance from the bustle to feel less tourist trap and more local haunt.
For those unaccustomed to Gotham’s sticker shock, here’s another pleasant surprise: The Ned is approachable . . . by luxury Manhattan standards. At press time, a two-night Thursday-Friday stay in a 300-square-foot “Crash Pad” room was $1,188, including guest access to members-only club areas. (Big spenders can splash out for a $10,000 terrace suite, still a relative bargain.) In other words, The Ned is less a weeklong destination than weekend splurge. Tempted to follow in our footsteps? Here’s how to make the most of it.
Double take: Occupying a prime corner at Broadway and West 28th Street, The Ned serves up views
in two directions—and plenty of reasons to linger by the windows.
MIRIGIFFORD / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM (THE NED EXTERIOR);
1 Good bones: The Ned occupies the former Johnston Building, a Beaux Arts landmark dating to the early 1900s. Once a commercial hub, it’s now a social one.
2 LIGHT REFRESHMENTS: The indoor portion
3 Selfie spot: Lush greenery, comfy furniture and comfort-food classics make Ned’s Club Upstairs a refreshing oasis, but the skyline views leave no doubt why New York is among the world’s most photographed cities.
4 Studious seclusion: Tucked inside Ned’s Club Downstairs, the Library lets you unwind with a well-curated collection of books during the quieter hours, then settle in for cocktails and conversation as the room comes alive.
5 NIFTY neighbors: Iconic Japanese fashion house Issey Miyake’s striking new store, Eataly’s sprawling Italian marketplace and Madison Square Park—home to public art installations and the original Shake Shack—are all close by.
6 SECOND-FLOOR STUNNER: With its soft lighting, dark ceiling and performance stage, the Magic Room evokes the glamour of a 1930s cabaret.
7 Breaking bread at The Ned: Cecconi’s, the ground-floor Italian restaurant, is more than a hotel amenity. It’s a lively NoMad dining destination in its own right, serving everything from Maine lobster spaghetti ($58) to wood-fired pizzas ($26 to $55). Photography: MELISSA DILTZ
Where Are They Now?
The ongoing exploits of 40 Under 40 honorees past.
CLASS OF 2025
Drs. Parminder Atwal and Deepa Assandas
Las Vegas and Henderson, Nevada
Drs. Atwal and Assandas recently launched Mouth Meets Body, a podcast exploring the connection between oral health and overall wellness. The duo continue to champion oral-systemic health through patient care, speaking engagements and educational outreach; Dr. Assandas also recently completed a Fellowship in Integrative Medicine through the Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine.
Dr. Lex Pierre
Houston
Having earned Fellowship status in the Academy of General Dentistry not long ago, Dr. Pierre celebrated the milestone at the organization’s Convocation Ceremony in Las Vegas with family by his side.
Dr. Melissa Porter
Nolensville, Tennessee / Huntsville, Alabama
Selected to serve as resident liaison for the Southeastern Society of Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Porter now practices at pediatric specialty offices in both Tennessee and Alabama. She also added “author” and “researcher” to her résumé, coauthoring a textbook chapter and publishing an article in the Pediatric Dental Journal.
CLASS OF 2024
Dr. Michel Azer
Houston
His Houston Implant Restorative Study Club continues to gain momentum. Founded in 2023 with nine members, the organization has grown to roughly 60 general dentists and specialists who meet quarterly to discuss advances in implant dentistry. Dr. Azer also lectures on digital workflows and full-arch implant treatment.
CLASS OF 2023
Dr. Sara Mahmood
Frisco, Hurst, Allen, Arlington and McKinney, Texas
Growth is a constant for Dr. Mahmood and Brush365. Her Dallas-area organization recently opened its sixth location in McKinney, with a seventh planned for Garland. She was also selected to receive the Dallas Business Journal’s Women in Business Award, recognizing her leadership and entrepreneurial success across north Texas.
CLASS OF 2021
Dr. Amanda Sheehan
Waterford, Michigan
Dr. Sheehan continues to add to an already impressive list of credentials, recently earning Diplomate status with the American Board of Oral Implantology and a Fellowship with the American Academy of Clear Aligners. She was also honored a second time with the Academy of General Dentistry’s Lifelong Service and Recognition Award and has been named an Hour Detroit magazine Top Dentist for six consecutive years.
CLASS OF 2017
Dr. Jesse Jackson
Kansas City, Missouri
Dr. Jackson continues to transform smiles from his state-of-the-art practice location overlooking Shoal Creek Golf Course in Kansas City, where he works alongside associate dentist Dr. Andrew Rund. In addition to focusing on complex full-mouth rehabilitations and life-changing smile work, he shares his expertise with colleagues through teaching sessions on advanced clinical techniques and training on the Yomi robotic implant system.
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