In an exclusive with MEGA, the Chief Operating Officer of Dentacare shares that the path of her profession is anchored on living out a family legacy and forging her own
When one takes a deeper dive into dentistry, studies show that oral health is not just about the mouth of the patient or the hands of the doctor—it involves the brain that is responsible for how our bodily systems function. On the receiving end, our dentists tell us to take care of our teeth. But how does a practitioner of dental medicine like Chief Operating Officer Dr. Joanna Cristi looks after her own well-being while leading her business Dentacare? By powering through balance in her mindset.
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A Legacy on Both Ends
For Cristi, the profession is not just a story of her own—it is one that she shares with her family. “I aim to continue my family’s legacy. I’m part of the third generation of dentists in our clan—from my grandmother passing the torch to my mom and auntie, then to me and my brother,” she tells MEGA.
But in true fashion of a power woman, Dr. Joanna does not rely on the familiarity of family legacy alone—she is taking this heirloom of sorts in her hands and making her own mark. She points out, “I have always envisioned myself to be the dentist in the family to use cutting edge technological advancements in improving people’s dental health, smiles, and of course, confidence.”
The Two Sides of Her Success Scale
As Dentacare’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), Dr. Joanna has mastered adapting to change, committing to continuous learning, and building trust with their patients. These values foster enough power to keep her career alive and kicking. But just as she acknowledges the impact of her family legacy, she also sheds light on her husband who also serves as her partner in leading Dentacare. Candidly, she shares, “I am just very lucky that I ended up with a business-savvy husband. While I pursue my path in dentistry with passion, my husband is on the other side of it—ensuring that the commercial aspect is improving, flourishing, and sustaining.”
Furthermore, she adds, “Side by side, we are ensuring that Dentacare is delivering exceptional dental services to our patients in accessible locations. That’s one of the key factors that continue to contribute to our long-term and sustainable growth.”
Filling the Cavities of Challenges
The rewarding fruits of taking charge and owning one’s path is no overnight achievement. It comes in years of consistent mastery, practice, and learning that Dr. Joanna Cristi has committed for her profession.
“From decades of service in dental medicine, I’ve learned the importance of practicing integrity through upholding ethical standards,” she states. “This builds credibility and respect, which contributes to a positive workplace culture. I have realized that setbacks and challenges are inevitable. Developing resilience helps one navigate difficulties and emerge stronger.”
Throughout her practice, she also recalls facing challenges such as experiencing gender bias and limited representation in leadership roles, as well as balancing work-life commitments. With a mindset fostered by years of powering through, she needed and wanted to overcome them for her vision. “It wasn’t easy, but I built my self-confidence through further educating myself and enhancing my skills, especially with the new technologies in dentistry,” she opens up. “I also attended workshops on leadership and courses on conflict resolution.”
The Bite of a Power Woman
In her own words, she defines a woman in power as “someone who embodies strength, resilience, confidence, vision, and leadership. These core values can navigate any and all challenges that can come in between the pursuit of excellence and can definitely impact the community that a woman lives in.”
With the hope of passing her own learnings to her community, Cristi leads by example through Dentacare. While medicine is often regarded as an environment where healthy habits for practitioners ironically takes a backseat, Dr. Joanna aims for change.
“I hope my leadership encourages others to foster a more inclusive, equitable, and positive environment.”
– Joanna Cristi
Beginning this change within herself, she gives herself the same care that she equally channels to her community and patients. Through her passion for adventure and travel, Dr. Joanna brings her mind into a better state, which follows through with her practice of dentistry.
She explains, “My love for travel complements my career. It broadens my horizons and enhances both my development, personally and professionally. During my trips, I expose myself to diverse cultures and practices that I carry with me in the workplace through empathy and communication with patients from various backgrounds. Ultimately, incorporating travel in my life helps me maintain a healthier work-life balance, promoting overall well-being and satisfaction.”
Dr. Joanna Cristi’s success is measured not just by the bright smiles of her patients, but also the impactful mindset that she brings and shares in her professional practice. As she continues to foster Dentacare—her own and shared legacy—she does this with an unapologetic sense of power to instill constant change, learning, and purposeful vision to herself and those around her.
