Zayba Sheikh, CEO of Ruh Dental, shares what it took to launch a dental clinic inside the world-renowned department store and what it means for patients, the brand and the future of wellness-led dentistry.
Tell us about yourself and your background
I qualified as a dentist in 2010, but I always knew clinical dentistry wasn’t my true passion. I enjoyed the science and the people skills, but my core ambition was always in business. I wanted to align that with dentistry in a meaningful way.
I started out in the NHS, then moved into private dentistry and worked my way up, always knowing I wanted my own setup. I come from an entrepreneurial family – my dad and uncle worked together in care and property – so I was exposed to the business side from a young age.
I saw an opportunity to build something niche in private dentistry. At the time, there wasn’t much competition in cosmetic dentistry, and I spotted a clear gap in the market. That’s when I launched my first private clinic. I opened it on Fleet Street in 2015 while five months, so I was thrown in at the deep end as a first-time mum and first-time clinic owner. From there, I built the brand and expanded steadily.
What inspired you to create the Ruh Dental brand?
Ruh Dental was born from a desire to redefine the dental experience. I saw the artistry in cosmetic dentistry – something far…
