Shabnam Pedram Scott

So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

My name is Shabnam Pedram Scott, and I’m proud to be Iranian-Canadian-American. I was born in Toronto, Canada, as a first-generation Iranian Canadian, and moved to San Diego, California, with my family in 2000. I’ve called San Diego home ever since, and it has truly become my absolute favorite city. I love that it’s where I’ve built my life, and I feel incredibly fortunate to call this beautiful city home.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now.

Haha, if we don’t count this year, I’d have to say the weather! And the location is hard to beat. Being on the West Coast, right next to Mexico, is the best of both worlds. San Diego really has it all, and I honestly couldn’t imagine a better place to call home!

Tell us a little more about what your company does and how it started. How does it help your customers?

I’m a general and cosmetic dentist, and I’m the proud co-owner of Gentle Dentistry of Poway, which I established with my mom in 2023. I’ve been practicing dentistry since 2017, and my mom has been practicing since 2000. Over the years, we’ve both developed a deep passion for helping people feel confident in their smiles while maintaining their oral health.

The story of how our practice began was really a happy set of circumstances. An opportunity came along that we simply couldn’t pass up. I was home with my newborn son when my mom told me that a dental practice just down the street from my house was for sale. We jumped on the opportunity, and everything seemed to align perfectly. We had always known that we wanted to own a practice together because we work so well as a team, and it felt like the right time to make that dream a reality.

For us, Gentle Dentistry of Poway is about more than just dentistry; it’s about building relationships and creating a place where patients feel comfortable, cared for, and genuinely valued. We want to make dental visits a positive experience while helping our patients achieve healthier, happier smiles. Being able to build something together as mother and daughter makes it even more special!

If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?

Hmm, great question! I’m still looking for the answer myself, hah! Starting a business is definitely challenging, and I’ve been fortunate to have help along the way. One resource that has been incredibly valuable to me is an HR company called HRforHealth. It’s honestly been one of the best services I’ve invested in for my business, helping me navigate everything from management and HR questions to labor laws.

Beyond that, I think having a few solid team members you can trust is absolutely essential. Having people you can lean on makes such a difference, especially during the tougher times. And trust me, there will be tough months and seasons! Business, like life, happens in waves. My biggest advice is to expect those ups and downs, stay positive, keep showing up, and keep working toward your goals. You don’t have to have all the answers from day one. Sometimes you have to just figure things out as you go.

What is one piece of feedback from a happy customer or client that you won't forget?

I love this question because it reminds me of something that can sometimes get lost in the day-to-day stress of running a business. Dentistry is my bread and butter, and helping people is ultimately why I do what I do.

One patient told me they hadn’t been to the dentist in over 10 years because of fear and previous bad experiences. After finding us, they were so happy and couldn’t believe that a dental visit could actually be such a gentle, positive experience. The fact that they were willing to drive an hour to see us meant so much to me.

But honestly, sometimes it’s not even what a patient says. It’s seeing their face light up and watching them smile their biggest smile after a full smile transformation. That kind of happiness is hard to put into words. A smile really can say a thousand words, and those are the moments that remind me why I fell in love with dentistry in the first place. They make all the challenging parts of running a business worth it!

Where do you see your company in the future?

I hope we’re still here years from now, serving our amazing patients and still surrounded by the incredible team we’ve built. For me, success isn’t just about growing a business. It’s about creating a place where our patients feel cared for, our team feels valued, and we genuinely enjoy coming to work every day. If we can keep doing that for years to come, I’ll consider that a huge success!

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

Haha, this is a good one! One of the biggest misconceptions is that dentists are like car mechanics, and I really dislike that stereotype because it can make people feel like they can’t trust our recommendations. I think there’s sometimes a perception that dentists are just trying to find things to fix, when in reality, so much of what we do is about prevention, education, and helping patients maintain their health long-term. Building trust is such an important part of my job, and I want my patients to feel informed, comfortable, and confident in the care they’re receiving.

Another misconception I run into all the time is that if something doesn’t hurt, it doesn’t need to be fixed. Unfortunately, many dental issues can develop without pain or obvious symptoms until they become more serious. I’d much rather help someone prevent a problem than have them come in when they’re already uncomfortable.

What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business, and how did you deal with it?

I think one of my biggest challenges has been taking over an already established practice. When you step into a business that has been around for a while, both the staff and the patients already have their own relationships, routines, and expectations. Coming in as the new person, I had to earn their trust and show them who I am, both as a dentist and as a leader.

I think the biggest thing that helped was being patient and staying true to myself. Trust isn’t something you can force. It’s something you build over time through consistency, communication, and showing people that you genuinely care. I wanted my team to know that I value them, and I wanted my patients to feel confident that they were still in good hands. It’s been a learning experience, and I’m still growing every day, but I’ve learned that relationships are at the heart of building a successful practice. You can have all the business knowledge in the world, but at the end of the day, people are what make a business thrive.

Who was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

I was never much of an athlete myself, hah, but growing up in Toronto, I absolutely loved watching Michelle Kwan on the ice. She was my athletic idol as a young girl, and I always admired her.

Music is a whole different story because it really depends on the era! I started with the Spice Girls and Britney Spears, moved on to Destiny’s Child and Ashanti, and then went through a rock phase with the Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Offspring. These days, I’ve been really into Girl Talk, thanks to my husband introducing me to him. His music is so nostalgic and fun, and I love how it brings together so many songs and memories from different eras. I guess my music taste has always been a little all over the place, but that’s what makes it fun!

Any shoutouts you want to make?

Absolutely! First, a huge shoutout to my mom, my co-owner and business partner, for teaching me so much of what I know and always pushing me to try new things. I wouldn’t be where I am today without her, and getting to build a business together has been such a special experience.

A big shoutout to my husband and kids, who are my motivation and my biggest reason for working so hard. To my dream team at the office, thank you for making every day fun and for being such an amazing group of people to work alongside.

And finally, the BIGGEST shoutout to our patients! We literally wouldn’t be here without you. Thank you for trusting us with your smiles, supporting our practice, and allowing us to do what we love every day. We appreciate you more than you know!

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

Readers can learn more about us on our website at www.gentledentistrypoway.com or follow us on Instagram at @gentledentistrypoway!

We also love meeting new people and welcoming new faces into our office. If you’re ever in the area and curious about our practice, please stop by! My mom and I are always happy to say hello, show you around, and help you get a feel for who we are. We want people to feel comfortable with us even before they become patients. At the end of the day, we’re all about building relationships, making people feel welcome, and helping our community smile a little brighter. We hope to meet you soon!