Dr. Doobrow is the owner and CEO of Periodontal and Implant Associates, Inc. located in Cullman, AL.

She earned her DMD at the Medical University of South Carolina in 2007 and received her certification in Periodontology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) in 2010. She is a Diplomate in the American Board of Periodontology and serves as the Immediate Past-President for the Southern Academy of Periodontology (SAP), President-Elect for the Alabama Dental Association (ALDA), and as a member of the Board of Trustees of the American Academy of Periodontology.

Dr. Doobrow serves on the UAB Alumni Executive Council and on the Executive Committee for the International Society of Periodontal Plastic Surgeons. In addition to her work in private practice and with organized dentistry, she has published original research, technique and topical reviews in various peer-reviewed journals, and she lectures nationally and internationally on topics in periodontology and implant surgery.

We asked Dr. Doobrow to share her passion for periodontology, service to our profession, and for UAB with us!

What was your path into periodontology and to UAB?

My path into Periodontology was initially marked by immense challenges. If it was not for the faculty and co-residents with whom I worked at UAB during my residency, I believe I would not be where I am today. My father, a proud graduate of the UAB Periodontology Program, passed away suddenly at the age of 53 during the summer between my first and second years of residency. At the time of his passing, he was actively engaged with clinical patient care and I was looking forward to joining him in practice. Working with him side-by-side as a colleague was a lifelong goal.

Navigating the loss of both my father and the reality that we would not get the opportunity to practice together was incredibly difficult. However, the unwavering support, guidance, and encouragement from my UAB Perio family helped me through the toughest time of my life. Although the circumstances surrounding my father’s death challenged me during my training, the support from UAB and the relationships I forged allowed me to grow and thrive in my residency and beyond. I am proud to say that I have been fortunate to carry on my father’s legacy and, while I do not practice with him physically, I know that his support and guidance, as well as the support and mentorship from UAB, have allowed me to give back to patients, our community, and our profession.

What has surprised you about your career in periodontology after UAB?

What surprised me most about my career in Periodontology after UAB was the genuine sense of collegiality, community, and the strong bonds I’ve formed along the way. Being part of the UAB Perio family and the dental and periodontal profession as a whole has enriched my life both personally and professionally, providing unwavering support, collaboration, and lifelong friendships.

What advice would you give someone entering a career in periodontology now?

Entering a career in Periodontology is an exciting and rewarding journey. If I were to offer advice to students or residents considering a career in periodontology, I would focus on a few key opportunities:

• Know your why — understanding your purpose is crucial. Identify what drives you in our specialty. Let that passion fuel your career.
• Embrace lifelong learning — continuing to grow and learn in all aspects of your personal and professional life will allow you to expand your skills and expertise.
• Diversify your experience — take advantage of opportunities to learn a new skill and remember that during the growth process having mentors to support you as you learn helps you achieve mastery on a more direct path.
• Build a strong network — a support system to provide advice, to lift you up after disappointment, and to celebrate your success makes all the difference as you are on your personal and professional journey to success.
• Be tenacious and adaptable — I can promise you that in your career and your life, you will have challenges, but how you respond to those challenges will shape the trajectory of your professional life. Grit and resilience are critical to continuing to move forward after you experience a setback.
• Remember to stay patient-focused — if you are able to center the provision of excellent patient care and care for every patient in all that you do, your work will have meaning beyond just a “job”.
• Define your own success — success will look different for all of us, but I truly believe that Periodontology is a field in which each one of us can find our version of success.

I believe that the future of Periodontology is indeed bright, and the sky is truly the limit!

How do you give back to your profession and to UAB and why do you think that is important?

Giving back to my profession and to UAB is deeply meaningful to me because it sustains growth and leadership in dentistry. As a Past-President of the Southern Academy of Periodontology and the Alabama Society of Periodontology, and, currently, in my roles as a District 3 Trustee for the American Academy of Periodontology and as President-Elect of the Alabama Dental Association, I am committed to cultivating young leaders and providing the next generation of periodontists the opportunities for success! Supporting UAB and organized dentistry allow me to secure the future of our profession and to strengthen the UAB Perio family, which has been such a large part of my journey in periodontology.