Dr. Umme Lena

Why did you decide to become a dentist? When I interned in Pakistan, I volunteered with a pediatric dentist who specializes in cleft lip/palate specialist. That was the first time I was introduced to the world of dentistry. My curiosity peaked from there and I realized I wanted to combine my aspiration for a career in healthcare with hand working skills. Dental school made me realize that this was the right decision for me. Helping patients by relieving them of pain and educating them on improving oral health is something I hope to continue in the future.

What are your hobbies or interests? On a relaxing day, I like to pick up my kindle to read fictional suspense and fantasy. On other days, I like to spend my time outside hiking in national parks and taking long walks around parks and lakes. My goal is to hike a peak in every national park in the USA.

Fun fact about yourself: While science is my career, English is my passion. I write poetry and prose on my downtime and hope to one day publish my expression.

Favorite thing to do in Queens: My favorite thing to do in Queens is eat fushka/gol gappe from the food stands in Jackson Heights.

What inspires you to work at PDC? Our goals align to help patients, not just with their teeth, but improve their lifestyle in oral health. Treating patients as individuals, rather than just a number, is what inspires me to work at PDC. I hope to make a difference in my patients' lives, not only in immediate treatment but also through preventing future oral disease.