It’s not only about being a successful woman in my business; I want to inspire people to become leaders and be a good example for the community.
Soft music, candles, soothing colors, a massage room . . . these are not things one would expect to find upon entering a dentist office. But at Comfort Dental in Rhode Island, Dr. Carmen Sanchez is putting the comfort of her patients first in hopes of relieving any fear and making their experience as enjoyable as possible. Since opening both locations of her practice, in Providence and Central Falls in 1999, Sanchez has seen her number of patients grow to an impressive 17,000, many of who are from the Latino community.
Sanchez came to the United States from the Dominican Republic in 1994, and attended Boston University’s advanced dental program before she was invited to work at a health center in need of dentists. Recognizing a need in the Latino community for a dentist who speaks their language, she started dreaming about what her ideal dental practice would look like, putting an emphasis on the patient experience with a spa-like atmosphere. In 1999, her dreams became reality as Comfort Dental opened its doors.
Sanchez genuinely loves people and what she does, and that positive energy is felt throughout Comfort Dental. “I love to sing,” she says. “I create an atmosphere that is very unique. We even dance, my staff and I, when we are a little overwhelmed. It’s a good energy.” Sanchez sees her role as an opportunity to improve her patients’ self esteem, whether it’s through giving them a beautiful smile or simply talking to them about their lives. “I can be a good example for people who have some limitation when they come to this country to show that they can do it,” she says.
For Sanchez, the biggest challenge in starting her small business was overcoming the language barrier and navigating the business landscape of the U.S. But through forging strong connections with her patients and focusing on providing the best service to them possible, success has followed.
“I always wanted to be an extraordinary human, but with a humble heart, because I believe that success without fulfillment is a failure.”
Photos by Shaul Schwarz
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An employee at Comfort Dental takes a quick break from treating patients.
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The massage room at Comfort Dental, a Rhode Island based small business that puts the comfort of their patients first.
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Dr. Carmen Sanchez of Comfort Dental came to the U.S. from the Dominican Republic in 1994, and after completing Boston University’s advanced dental program, worked at a health center and dreamed about what her ideal practice would look like.
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The decor at Comfort Dental oozes comfort. "I created an atmosphere that is very unique. It looks like a spa, and I believe that everybody deserves special treatment." In addition to candles and music, there is even a massage room.
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The highlight of her job, for Dr. Carmen Sanchez, is seeing her patients smile. “I help them with their self-esteem and give them the smile that they deserve," she says.
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Dr. Carmen Sanchez of Comfort Dental views her staff of about twenty as a family, and wants them to succeed along with her. "I believe that a successful business is like a family where everybody involved is valued and supported.”
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“I love what I do,” says Dr. Carmen Sanchez, founder and president of Comfort Dental. Her positive energy is felt throughout Comfort Dental. “I love to sing,” she says. “We even dance, my staff and I, when we are a little overwhelmed. It’s a good energy.”
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The reception office at Comfort Dental, located in Providence and Central Falls, R.I. By forging strong connections with their patients and focusing on providing the best service to them possible, this small business has seen great success.
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Dr. Carmen Sanchez was working at a health center when she identified a need in the Latino community for a dentist who spoke their language. In 1999, she opened her own practice with two locations in Rhode Island, Providence and Central Falls, which together see a total of around 17,000 patients - the majority of whom are Latino.
