In this sizzling issue Grazia’s international beauty editor Kaniz Ali interviews clinical entrepreneur Dr Jana Denzel about work, life and dentistry.
Kaniz: Talk to us about your background
Jana: I grew up in a strict academic household as a child of Tamil refugees who fled the ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. My parents came to this country with nothing and worked extremely hard in manual labor jobs to provide for me and my siblings. From an early age, they instilled the importance of academics in us. My love for sciences and art, combined with a desire to work with people, led me to choose dentistry as a career. I studied in Valencia, Spain. Since graduating I have blended clinical practice with entrepreneurship running my own dental services, Denstudio as well as working in Harley Street both in London, UK.
Kaniz:What inspired you to become a dentist?
Jana: My father, a businessman, advised me to pursue a secure career that I could practice anywhere in the world. A visit to my uncle in Toronto, Canada, where I saw him work as a dentist, truly inspired me. I loved how he helped people out of pain, improved their smiles, and restored their confidence. This, along with my passion for art and sciences, led me to dentistry. Early work placements solidified my decision, and the potential to create a dental business appealed to my entrepreneurial spirit. With Denstudio, I provide cosmetic and general dentistry in London to patients from around the world.
Kaniz: What are your greatest strengths as a dentist and what do you specialize in?
Jana: My strengths include an eye for aesthetic detail, being personable, understanding each patient’s unique needs, and a continuous desire to learn and improve. I specialize in cosmetic dentistry, with the most popular treatment being the ‘ABC Smilemakeover’. This involves aligning teeth with clear aligners such as Invisalign, whitening them with our own Denstudioteeth whitening products and contouring or adding composite to enhance the shape and size of their teeth. To date, I have transformed the smiles of Grammy-winning artists, athletes, and royalty from the UK and UAE. My recognition as a Slow Dentistry Global Ambassador also highlights my dedication to precise, personalized care.
Kaniz: Talk to us about the services and treatments the clinic offers
Jana: Denstudio offers a full range of services from general to cosmetic dentistry, including clear aligners (Invisalign), porcelain veneers, composite bonding, and teeth whitening. We focus on providing high-quality, personalized care using the latest dental technologies to meet each patient’s unique needs.
Kaniz: What motivates you ?
Jana: Making a positive impact on people’s lives motivates me. Transforming smiles and improving oral health is incredibly rewarding, especially seeing the difference it makes in people’s lives. My family’s support and sacrifices also drive me to succeed and give back to them. Everything I am is a testament to their hard work. I know anything I do in my life will never be as hard as what they went through. No matter how I spend my life giving back to them what they did for me will always be way more. They are what motivate me every day.
Kaniz: Tell us an interesting fact about dentistry you can share with our readers
Jana: Although being able to smile and restoring confidence is so important in the work I do. It’s important to know oral health is closely linked to overall health. Poor oral hygiene can lead to systemic issues like heart disease and diabetes, highlighting the importance of regular dental check-ups.
Kaniz: What do you enjoy most about being a dentist ?
Jana: At Denstudio, I treat people from all over the world. I enjoy building lasting relationships with them and seeing the improvement in their health and confidence. It’s incredibly rewarding to help people feel better about themselves.
Kaniz: If Jana wasn’t a dentist, what would he be?
Jana: Besides working as a clinical dentist and running Denstudio, I enjoy teaching. I have lectured at many universities, including the prestigious Oxford University. If I weren’t a dentist, I would likely be a full-time lecturer or involved in another healthcare profession, possibly focusing on mental health.
Kaniz: Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?
Jana: In five years, I aim to be one of the leading dentists in the world, specializing in aesthetic dentistry. I plan to expand Denstudio and continue transforming the smiles of patients from around the world. I want to contribute more to the dental community and change the perception of dentistry, that going to dentist can be an amazing experience.
Kaniz: What sets you apart from other dentists ?
Jana: I would say my aesthetic eye, meticulous attention to detail and ability to be personable with patients set me apart. Just two years after graduating, I won the Best Young Dentist in London and became the youngest member of the Slow Dentistry Global Ambassadors, a list of 32 of the world’s best dentists.
Kaniz: What’s the best advice you would give anyone who is looking to head into the world of dentistry?
Jana: Stay passionate and committed to learning. Focus on building strong patient relationships and always put them first. Keep up with the latest advancements. Understanding the business side of dentistry can be highly beneficial, so consider learning about entrepreneurship and business management in your free time as they don’t teach this in dental school.
