From Fixing Smiles to Fixing Health Narratives: An Orthodontist, Dr. Tanya’s Journey!

Career Snapshot

Education:

• Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS), Manipal College of Dental Sciences (MCODS), Manipal (2014-2019)
• Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, Krishna Vishwa Vidyapeeth (KVV), Karad. (2021-2024)

First Job Post Career Switch:

Copywriter at AurinIpsum

Current Role:

A freelance medical writer

Reason for switching:

• Interestingly, I haven’t switched careers. I’m a practicing Orthodontist by day and a freelance medical writer for the rest of the time.

Favorite Part About Corporates:

• Financial stability

Dislikes about corporate:

• Lack of freedom and flexibility

Connect with Dr. Tanya on LinkedIn for more insights on freelance opportunities and scope related to medical writing.

Introduction

Chris Grosser once said:

One for the kitchen, one for the soul.

That is the philosophy that shaped Dr. Tanya’s freelancing journey.

She strongly believes that in today’s economy, every professional should create more than one source of income, not just for financial security, but for personal growth.

For her, building a parallel career wasn’t about leaving dentistry behind. It was about becoming more than one thing.

Because sometimes, the most fulfilling career paths aren’t replacements. They’re expansions.

Watch Dr Tanya’s interview with us and find out what she has to say about medical writing, its scope, salary, and more.

“From Delivering Braces to Delivering Blogs”: Dr. Tanya’s journey of persistence.

Today, Dr. Tanya works simultaneously as a practising orthodontist and a freelance medical writer, and she wouldn’t trade either role for the other.

Her days are built around systems, structure, and discipline. Patient appointments and content deadlines are managed with equal precision, creating a workflow that allows both careers to thrive.

Her clinical background plays a major role in her writing.

It helps her analyse scientific evidence critically, simplify complex medical information, and create content that is not only accurate, but meaningful and engaging.

What excites her most is the balance between science and creativity, turning medical knowledge into stories that educate and connect.

At the same time, she is honest about the challenges. Managing multiple responsibilities is not glamorous. It takes planning, resilience, and constant optimisation.

One of her biggest learning curves was adapting to collaborative professional environments.

Coming from dentistry, where much of the work can feel independent, learning how to work within teams, report to managers, and align with larger systems required conscious growth beyond clinical training.

But that challenge became one of her greatest strengths. It taught her adaptability, structure, and the importance of building systems that sustain long-term success.

Research & Academic Contributions

Dr. Tanya’s academic work reflects her commitment to innovation and evidence-based dentistry.

Original Research Publications (Primary Author)

As a primary author, Dr. Tanya has contributed to impactful research exploring advancements in orthodontic materials, clinical anomalies, and patient-focused treatment innovation.

• The Impact of Orthodontic Adhesive Containing Resveratrol, Silver, and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles on Shear Bond Strength: An In-Vitro Study: Published in Cureus
• The Curious Case of Concomitant Hypo-Hyperdontia: A Case Report: Published in Cureus
• Clinical Research Publication in Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (JCDR): Published in JCDR, April 2024

These publications reflect her dedication to bridging research with real-world clinical relevance.

Patents Registered

Dr. Tanya’s innovative designs address practical challenges faced by clinicians, improving procedural efficiency and patient comfort.

Snap Retainer Clip

• Patent No.: 381502-001
• Issued: March 15, 2023

An innovative retention system designed to hold lingual retainers securely in place using snap-clip technology, enabling hands-free bonding for greater procedural precision and a more comfortable experience for both clinician and patient.

Cheek Retractor

• Patent No.: 379003-001
• Issued: February 9, 2023

A granted and published design patent featuring enhanced retraction extensions and an adjustable screw-lock mechanism that allows hands-free oral cavity retraction during clinical procedures.

Copyrights Registered

Dr. Tanya has also developed practical clinical tools and educational resources designed to improve workflow management and patient engagement.

• Record Sheet for Appliance Breakage / Debonded Bracket
  • Registration No.: L-154370/2024
  • Registered: September 24, 2024

A structured clinical documentation system designed to improve orthodontic appliance tracking and treatment continuity.

• Desi Food with Braces
  • Registration No.: L-137916/2023
  • Registered: December 12, 2023

A patient education resource created to help individuals with braces navigate culturally relevant dietary choices comfortably and confidently.

• Referral OPD Card
  • Registration No.: L-119645/2022
  • Registered: December 13, 2022

A streamlined referral documentation tool created to improve patient communication and inter-practice coordination.

Life Beyond Work

Outside work, Dr. Tanya believes deeply in intentional rest and self-reflection. You’ll often find her curled up with a novel, binge-watching a good series, or planning her next trekking adventure.

Travel, for her, isn’t just leisure. It’s a reset. A chance to reflect, recalibrate, and return with a fresh perspective.

This balance helps her sustain two demanding careers without losing sight of herself in the process.

Advice to Healthcare Professionals

Dr. Tanya often reminds young professionals that careers today no longer fit into one box.

Years ago, people introduced themselves with a single title: doctor, engineer, or accountant.

Today, people are doctors and writers. Engineers and creators. Clinicians and entrepreneurs.

And that’s something to be grateful for. Her advice is simple:

You can — and should — be more than one thing.

Building new income streams doesn’t just strengthen financial stability. It reveals versions of yourself you may never have discovered otherwise.

Your healthcare degree has already taught you discipline, analysis, resilience, and precision. Those skills are far more transferable than you think.

Explore. Falter. Upskill. Keep growing. Because the moment you stop limiting yourself to one identity, your real potential begins.

Conclusion:

Dr Tanya’s journey is a powerful reminder that glory isn’t just about choosing one path but gathering the courage to walk on multiple roads and flourishing at each step.

While many scratch their heads while straightening an orthodontic wire, Dr Tanya is fiercely mastering her orthodontic and medical writing career.

In a true sense, she is redefining the possibilities one can conquer!