When Amrita Sandhu first stepped into South Airdrie Smiles in 2017, the dental clinic was in a period of transition and change was needed.
“I never had the mindset that I will just come in, see my patients and leave,” Sandhu says. “I wanted the clinic to thrive, so I treated myself as an owner of the clinic way before I had any equity in it.”
Today, as owner, she has grown the team from three staff to a thriving family of dentists, hygienists and front-end professionals, all reflecting her values of compassion, professionalism and continuous growth.
Sandhu’s approach extends far beyond dentistry. Inspired by her Sikh faith’s principle of Seva, she and her team quietly give back to the Airdrie community, donating free dental care, supporting local families and even sending anonymous gifts to patients in need.
“I want people to feel cared for,” she says. “If we can provide positive energy to our patients, our team and our families, we are inadvertently creating positive change in the world.”
Through her leadership, South Airdrie Smiles has become a trusted, family-friendly space where patients feel valued, respected and genuinely cared for.
For Sandhu, the real reward is seeing the smile on someone’s face, knowing she’s made a difference in their lives.
The AAWAs are celebrating their Sweet 16 in 2026. What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?
I would tell my 16-year-old self to believe in herself, use her voice and take risks.