Balancing Dentistry, Family, and Self-Care for a Fulfilling Life
Dr. Bianca Velayo is not your typical dentist. She’s a multi-practice dentist/owner partnered with Pacific Dental Services, residing in Henderson, NV, with her husband and two young boys. Her journey through dentistry is a remarkable one, filled with passion, entrepreneurship, and a relentless commitment to education and mentorship.
Let’s go “outside the op” with Dr. Velayo to hear about her life, her dental career, and how she manages the complexities of being a dentist/owner! Click below to watch the full interview!
Bianca’s Dental Education and Career
Dr. Velayo’s academic journey began at Tufts University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology in 2011 and later her Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 2015. But her path into dentistry wasn’t solely about education; it was a blend of her upbringing and her desire to make a difference.
Growing up as a first-generation Filipino American, Dr. Velayo’s parents instilled in her the value of education. They encouraged her to pursue a career in healthcare, and dentistry appealed to her because it allowed her to combine various passions into one profession. She saw herself as a doctor, entrepreneur, artist, scientist, patient advocate, community leader, and mentor, all in one. Moreover, she recognized that dentistry often played the role of an underdog in the healthcare industry, and she wanted to be its cheerleader, emphasizing the significance of oral health in overall systemic well-being.
Bianca’s Challenges of Practice Ownership
As a practice owner, Dr. Velayo faces unique challenges. She recently expanded her office, doubling its size and hiring new team members and associate dentists to accommodate the growth. Change is never easy, and she acknowledges the difficulty of losing talented team members. However, her approach is refreshing—she supports her team members’ goals, even if it means they might eventually leave. This approach has led to success stories like a former dental assistant returning as a hygienist after attending hygiene school.
Bianca’s Approach to Balancing Dentistry with Life
Being a dentist and practice owner is inherently stressful, but Dr. Velayo has strategies to maintain a work-life balance. She emphasizes that while the day-to-day practice of dentistry may become more manageable over time, the stress associated with managing complex cases, patient care, and complaints remains. As an empathetic person, she often takes on more stress than necessary, but she reminds herself not to care more about a patient’s oral health than they do.
Outside of work, Dr. Velayo finds solace in spending time with her family, engaging in various physical activities like walks, runs, and park outings. She also makes self-care a priority by scheduling time for herself, including morning workouts to energize her day and unwinding with her family after work.
Strategies for Balance
To balance her career, family, and personal time effectively, Dr. Velayo has experimented with her clinic schedule. She now works fewer days but with more manageable hours, allowing her to dedicate time to her family, workouts, and meetings. She believes that being intentional with her time and schedule is crucial to maintaining a fulfilling life.
More Insights from Bianca…
Dr. Velayo shared a few extra fun facts about herself:
She’s learning how to cook traditional Filipino dishes to pass on the tradition to her children, inspired by her mother’s culinary skills.
One of the coolest experiences she’s had was being the tour manager for her husband’s rock and roll band during her dental school years, an unforgettable adventure.
When asked about regrets in life, Dr. Velayo firmly believes that every decision and lesson learned has shaped her into who she is today, and she has no room for regrets.
She deeply admires her parents, who left their comfortable lives in the Philippines to provide their children with the opportunity to pursue the American Dream.
Dr. Bianca Velayo is not just a dentist but a multifaceted woman who excels in both her professional and personal life. Her dedication to her family, commitment to her patients, and passion for mentorship make her a role model in the dental profession and beyond. Dr. Velayo’s journey serves as an inspiration for those looking to balance a successful career with a fulfilling personal life.
Bianca – thanks so much for sharing yourself with the TPD community of dentist-owners!
