Dental Hygienist Spotlight: Shiva Abadi
Shiva is a hygienist who works hard and is doing amazing things! She started her own company, Yoursmilebox, to help patients get the best home care products for their needs. Learn all about her process of starting her business, plus enter to win your own Yoursmilebox on our Instagram @hygieneedge!
I have been a Registered Dental Hygienist for 7 years, the President of San Diego County Dental Hygienists' Society and a Independent Educator for the last 2 years. I received my Masters in Dental Hygiene at the University of California- San Francisco and published my study on Electronic Cigarettes in the Journal of Dental Hygiene.
Tell us about starting your own business: I started Yoursmilebox when I went through a lifestyle change 3 years ago and had to adjust my beauty, hygiene products and diet. I knew I wasn't the only one hypersensitive and allergic to certain chemicals in our toothpastes, shampoos, soaps, and lotions. I spent my weekends researching more about how our hygiene and beauty products are made so I could spread a healthier lifestyle for those around me. The best part of starting my own business is that I can be creative with marketing and choose which products I want to manufacture and promote. Starting my own business has taught me how to continuously balance my schedule since I hold multiple positions.
My upbringing included moving to the other side of the planet at age 7 and continuing my education in a completely different language. I was overwhelmed and sobbing about my first day to my family at which point, my younger brother courageously came to me with a solution. He told me to not worry and to simply reply with, "Ok". Mind you, this is a 4 year old Iranian boy whose only exposure to English was several hours of American television.
Any advice for a dental hygiene student? My advice to Dental Hygiene students is to start applying your theoretical knowledge to real world experiences with your patients in clinic. This is not only going to ensure that you pass the National Boards but it will also help you really understand the material without having to memorize everything you're learning.
