Dr. Varsha Agnihotri

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

Getting people out of pain. I remember the first time I helped a patient remove the cause of his pain, and he was so grateful. It was an amazing feeling.

What’s your dream toothpaste flavor?

Tamarind. It's a common flavor for food, snacks and candy in South Asian culture. It's tangy, slightly sweet and absolutely delicious!

What’s something your patients might be surprised to learn about you?

I lived and worked in London for a few years. I had the unique opportunity to experience a completely different work culture, way of doing dentistry and everyday life. It's expanded the way I think and I find that I can connect with more people because of it.

How do you recharge after a long week? What’s your go-to activity for hitting the restart button?

Dancing. I could dance with my daughter in my living room to her favorite, The Weeknd. I could dance to literally any Bollywood song. I could dance to no music at all, but the beat in my head. Dancing has always been an escape and a celebration for me.

What dental stereotype are you most passionate about changing?

"Dentists just want more money." I take pride in being a conservative dentist, which means I don't drill into a tooth unless there's an absolute reason to. There's enough people in the world who are in need dental help, so there's no reason to create more dental work unnecessarily. My mentor said, "Do the right thing and the money will follow," and it's become my motto, so when I work I only think about doing the right thing.

When I’m in the patient chair, I’m probably grooving to {blank} in my headphones.

Early 2000s Bollywood music