Sonal A. Naik, DMD, FAGD
What first drew Dr. Sonal Naik to dentistry might surprise you—it wasn’t just the promise of helping people smile brighter, but her genuine fascination with the science and art involved in something as simple as a filling. There’s something beautiful, she believes, about the way biochemistry, chemistry, physics, and biology all come together in her hands to restore and transform.
Dr. Naik’s Journey to Dentistry
Dentistry is truly in her blood. Her father (the original Dr. Naik) served as a Captain in the United States Army Dental Corps. Dr. Naik grew up working alongside him in his private practice in Pennsylvania. She’s proud to be a second-generation dentist, carrying forward a family tradition of caring for patients and families.
Her path to dentistry wasn’t entirely straightforward—after completing her first year of law school, she realized her true calling lay elsewhere. She returned to the University of Pennsylvania to complete her prerequisites before graduating from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 2009. Even then, her exceptional patient care stood out.
She received the Gentle Dental Senior Endowed Prize for Exceptional Chairside Manner, recognizing her compassionate, communicative approach, and her understanding of patients’ biological, financial, and emotional needs. Her classmates also honored her with the Class of 2008 Scholarship for her leadership and dedication to bettering her class.
Lifelong Learning and Genuine Care
Since graduation, Dr. Naik has never stopped learning. While most dentists complete the required continuing education hours, she goes far beyond—logging between 100 and 300 hours each year because she’s genuinely curious about new techniques and technologies that can benefit her patients. This passion for growth led to earning her Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD) in 2024.
In order to achieve this distinction that less than 6% of general dentists in the US and Canada earn, Dr. Naik had to complete over 500 credit hours of continuing education, of which 350 hours were in-person/live, and she passed an exam that is of equal difficulty as compared to board certification exams.
Ask Dr. Naik what she loves most about her work, and she’ll tell you it’s not the procedures themselves—it’s the relationships. Really getting to know her patients, understanding their goals, and working together to achieve them is what gets her excited to come to work each day. She’s the kind of dentist who remembers your vacation plans and asks about your kids, because to her, you’re not just a set of teeth—you’re a whole person.
Outside of the Office
When Dr. Naik isn’t perfecting smiles, you might find her in the pool swimming laps, experimenting with a new baking recipe, or planning her next travel adventure. She values her friendships deeply and believes that staying connected to life outside dentistry makes her a better doctor—and a happier person.
