Dr. Raghuvaran – A Clinician’s Comeback from failure to prove it again.- Determination decides, Hard work works and Perseverance Pays.

1Can you start by taking us back to your early education days? How did you join BDS, and how was the BDS journey for you?

I was a very average student in school. After my 12th Standard, I, fortunately, managed to get a seat in one of the best dental colleges in Karnataka (KLE Belgaum). I joined BDS in 2001 and completed my final year in 2006 and took an internship transfer from KLE BELGAUM to MS.RAMAIAH Dental College, Bangalore.

2Take us through your career path after BDS? How did you reach the point where you are today?

After completing BDS in December 2007, I joined MBA in health service management in AIHMAS, Chennai in June 2008. Simultaneously, I attached myself to an evening dental clinic for one year.

After completing my MBA in December 2010, I worked in 4 corporate hospitals in Bangalore including Narayana super speciality hospital, Malleshwaram where I ended my service as a Manager (Marketing).

Later, I joined a PhD program at VIT University, Vellore (in august 2013) and had a dental clinic for evening practice in Vellore.

In the next years, I managed to work in a contract government job as a Dental health officer in Karwar district and as a Covid Medical officer in Chitoor government hospital.

Currently, I have a dental clinic near VIT university, Katpadi and act as a mentor in a dental start-up called Clowak innovations incubated at VIT- TBI.

3What are the highest points/peaks so far in your career? What are the roadblocks/challenges or hardships faced? How did you overcome them?

The peak of my career is owning a dental clinic, acting as a mentor in a unique dental start up and being on the verge of completing my PhD (in Management) at VIT university.

As far as challenges are concerned, I had many challenges including losing interest in some of my career choices, losing jobs, getting low returns in my dental practice and shifting my dental clinic multiple times to Bangalore, Karwar and Vellore.

My biggest mistake was not listening to anybody and having poor observation skills.

Due to continuous failures, my personality changed. But I was able to overcome these failures, by looking at those struggling in worse conditions than me without giving up.

4What message do you have for budding young dentists at crossroads as they read this? Many are worried about their future career prospects as the field is becoming highly competitive and challenging.

Learn to Identify yourself continuously.

Learn to overcome failures and start having a healthy mindset

Being truthful to yourself helps in overcoming the challenges and competitiveness around you.

5What plans and goals do you have for the future? What are your dream projects and aspirational career plans?

I plan to educate, create awareness and treat patients in dentistry and contribute to other health care areas.

My goal is to be more innovative in my approach to strengthening dentistry and healthcare management.

My dream project is to take healthcare and dental innovations to rural areas, people with disabilities and children globally.

I am also open to other accessible opportunities that come my way.

Dr. Raghuvaran
Dental consultant at KMC Nakshatra Dental Clinic, Katpadi