Because every job has its twists – and she's telling them.

Dr. Tsolair Hovsepian, General Dentist
The Dental Studio

Most people think of a dentist as the person who cleans their teeth twice a year. The reality is considerably more layered.

Dentistry is more than cleanings and fillings—it’s a blend of healthcare, technical skill, business management, and patient trust.

In this episode, we spoke with Dr. Tsolair Hovsepian, a general dentist, small business owner, and mother of three, about the many dimensions of her work. Tsolair covers the full breadth of general dentistry: the routine and the complex, the clinical and the operational. She shares what it felt like to step into a heavily male-dominated field, how the industry has shifted, and why she believes the maternal instinct female dentists bring is a genuine clinical asset.

The conversation also explores the less visible side of dentistry—burnout, the grind of insurance billing, and the challenge of watching a patient ignore advice until it’s too late. But she also shares one of the most fulfilling moments: watching someone walk back in completely changed.

If you’ve ever wondered what’s behind the chair – this one’s for you.

In this episode:

✦  What a typical day looks like for a general dentist
✦  The reality of owning and operating a dental practice
✦  Why dentistry can offer work-life balance
✦  The emotional side of helping patients improve their health
✦  How technology and robotics may shape the future of dentistry

Her advice: “Just get through each day and do the best you can – your health improves, you sleep better, and you’re more present for the people who matter.

MBTI vibe: ISTJ / ISFJ / ESTJ / INTJ
Precision and attention to detail • Responsible • Problem-solver • Patient • Sustained Focus • Comfort with structure • Caregiving instinct

Listen to the full episode

Need to Know Facts*

Salary Range:


Entry-Level Education:







Work Experience in Related
Occupation:


Type of organizations to
work for:





Job Outlook:



Resources:


Median pay: $179,210 annually
Specialists: $225,770+ annually

Bachelor’s degree, science
focus preferred
Advanced doctoral degree –
DDS, DMD
2-4 years residency
4-6 years residency (surgery)
State licensing required

Dental Assistant
Dental Hygienists
Dental Educator

Dentist office
Self-employed
Government (not state/local)
education/hospitals
Office of physicians
Outpatient care centers

149,300 jobs in 2024

+4% increase through 2034

O*Net Online
Bureau of Labor Statistics


* Bureau of Labor Statistics

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Join Liane & Annie as they dive into the surprisingly cool jobs that women do. Discover the part career confessional, part field guide you didn’t know you needed.

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