Dr. Milad Shadrooh has gained social media fame recording and posting songs about the importance of oral healthcare on Instagram. The “Singing Dentist” has more than 360,000 followers on the platform. We asked him about the dentistry profession, his passion for music, and his dental hygiene tips.
What made you want to get into dentistry? What do you love about it the most?
I was always good at science-based subjects growing up and I was good with people, too, so doing something in the medical field always appealed to me. I was also really good with my hands, so dentistry was the perfect fit for all the skills I had and my desire to want to help others.
That’s also the thing I love the most — it’s the fact we can make a real difference to people, whether it’s helping them if they are in pain or have issues, to restoring their smiles and confidence.
How did you start your singing career within your dental practice? How does it make your patients feel when you sing?
It all started as an accident. I have been involved with music my whole life, performing from an early age in anything music-based. I would rap, I DJ, and can play instruments, as well as produce music in studios. My father was a musician and producer, so I grew up around it.
Then one day, a patient didn’t show up for a root canal, so I started rapping along to a song on the radio and freestyling about root canals. It came out pretty funny, so I filmed myself and sent it to a dentist friend, who then put it online. The rest is history: the Singing Dentist was born!
My patients seem to love it as it just brings some fun and positivity to an industry that often fills people with dread.
What should people do in order to keep good dental hygiene?
There are five things everyone should do:
- Brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time, ideally with an electric toothbrush.
- Use a good toothpaste containing the right amount of fluoride.
- Clean in between the teeth daily, whether that’s with floss, interdental brushes, or even an oral irrigator, you must make sure to get in-between, because tooth-brushing alone just doesn’t cut it.
- Reduce the frequency and amount of sugary foods and drinks you consume, because the bacteria in our mouth turn sugar into acid, which creates cavities. Not smoking is also key to maintaining healthy gums.
- Visit your dentist and hygienist regularly to help maintain your oral health, and also to ensure no disease is starting. If there is, it’s much better to catch it early.
Is there any advice you would give current students or recent graduates considering a career in dentistry?
There are three things I always say to students and recent graduates:
- Dentistry is more than a job, it’s a career. You’re in it for the long run, so take your time. Learn your craft, don’t be in a rush to master everything. See what you enjoy and do more of it. See what you’re not good at and take courses to improve it. But above all, enjoy the process.
- Invest in yourself and learn the art of communication. Without this skill, dentistry is impossible because you are dealing with people and we must communicate effectively to even be able to see the teeth, let alone treat them.
- Have a life outside of dentistry! It’s a super stressful job and you must be able to detach from it. Have a hobby, have a passion aside from teeth. Socialize with friends and peers and don’t talk shop. Take holidays away from work to reset your mind and body so you can go again. This is key to having a long and prosperous career.