PIONEER OF PAINLESS SLEEP DENTISTRY.
Dr. Jasdev Bhalla, a Dental Anesthesiologist, Humanitarian and truly a gem, let us learn about painless visits to Dental Clinics.
Once a bright student, turns into an Outstanding Leader, this defines Dr. Jasdev Bhalla’s journey from being a high ranker during his Bachelor of Dental Surgery (B.D.S) at Magda University, Bodhgaya, India.
Upon graduating from India, Dr. Jasdev immigrated to Canada in 2001 and joined the Qualifying Program for international graduates at the University of Toronto at the Faculty of Dentistry against stiff
competition in his maiden attempt. The qualifying program at the dental faculty at the University
of Toronto gave him an opportunity to ameliorate his communication and leadership skills. Dr. Jasdev is
a multilinguist, hardworking, highly motivated and very organized dental doctor, with proven analytical and presentation skills. His outstanding work ethics and discipline in completing the tasks at hand on time helped him get referrals for the specialty program in Dental Anesthesia, a highlyskilled branch in Dentistry which then eventually made him an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto.
He taught at the University of Toronto for three years as an Asst.Prof. in the discipline of Anesthesia, both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. He gave up teaching in order to concentrate more on the ever-growing busy private practice. But his love for teaching continues, he is actively involved in continuing education in dental anesthesia at both national and international levels. He has held several
workshops and continues to do so in India, where he is pioneering the use of sedation in dentistry, for this purpose he has helped in designing a low cost but effective solution of delivering laughing gas (Nitrous Oxide) using his vast experience in the realm of sleep dentistry and dental anesthesia.
During his practice for over 2 decades, Dr. Jasdev knew and understood that dental visits can be overwhelming and can cause high levels of anxiety for some patients. Often this level of anxiety can discourage patients from visiting the dentist and thereby preventing them from obtaining treatment
often required to improve their oral health. Hence, as an alternative, Dr. Jasdev administers sleep dentistry, usually carried out under sedation in a selected and controlled environment of a dental clinic. The Sedation options available include relative anesthesia such as Nitrous Oxide (also known as laughing gas) and intravenous sedation. Relative analgesia such as nitrous oxide is inhaled by the patient and assists in reducing anxiety. Intravenous sedation is administered by an Anaesthetist or doctor with training in intravenous sedation, in the Dental Clinic and involves a combination of sedative and pain-relieving medicaments to create a drowsy and dream-like state of deep, calming relaxation for the entire duration of the dental procedure.
Dr. Jasdev is a boardcertified specialist in Dental Anesthesia (he was the first one in Canada to be accorded this status), a Diplomate of the American Dental Board of Anesthesiology and a Fellow of Royal College of specialists, Ontario. He is also an acclaimed speaker for International Seminars and workshops in India to promote sedation in Dentistry.
Dr. Jasdev as a founder and coordinator of the “MM Sedation Study Club,” imparts quality continuing
education to all dental professionals interested in sedation. As well, he lectures both nationally and
internationally on Dental Sedation. Dr.Bhalla oversees the safe sedation of both children and adult patients. He holds additional training in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (P.A.L.S. – for children) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (for adults.) and continually renews them. His papers and printed publications include on Anxiety and Dental Management, Autism and Dental Management, oral sedation in dentistry amongst others. His research focus was on the use and efficacy of the topical anesthetics.
Dr. Jasdev truly has great empathy for all patients and employs it in order to provide first-rate care to all. This is not only complimented by patients every day, but also by his team at MM Dentistry about his impressive knowledge of new and emerging concepts related to improved patient care. Moreover, his knowledge of anesthesia and expertise in dental treatment under sedation is a huge advantage to the entire community. He employs his skill-set to help hundreds of children and adults who rely on sedation
to complete their dental care procedures, and who would never achieve dental care otherwise. MM Dentistry clinics often get hugs, tears of happiness and words of appreciation every day for the incredible difference in the lives of patients, by use of sleep dentistry, that is painless and comfortable to all age groups, especially patients with sensitivity.
Beyond private practice, Dr. Jasdev has functioned as a coach and mentor for many colleagues and fresh
graduates from dental schools world over. He continues to promote the education of safe sedation
practice in Dentistry, both previously through his Assistant Professorship at the University of Toronto’s
Faculty of Dentistry and now, through the continued facilitation of his not-forprofit MM Sedation Study
Club. He is an incredibly reliable community resource, as he continually responds to queries via emails and telephone from colleagues and referring dentists, on sedation. Dr. Bhalla also contributes to a provincial program since an undefined time, servicing the misfortunate kids that need dental care with sedation selflessly bringing smiles to their faces.
Here are the excerpts of the conversation we had with Dr. Jasdev:
PV: What has been your greatest failure? And What did you learn from it?
Dr. Jasdev: Failure in terms of things not working out the first time— then yes multiple times. I do not consider a single one as my greatest because all the undertaken tasks were important. All these setbacks taught me invaluable lessons of being persistent and persevere in failings.Even If I had decided to give up on a task because of it being unaccomplishable, I still would not count it as the greatest failure, because it was still successful in giving essential life lessons.
PV: What role does God play in your life & Leadership?
Dr. Jasdev: The most important role God plays for me is one of reassurance. God is there to reaffirm my faith in myself.
PV: Can you please tell us about execution? What do you do to ensure that your Strategic Plans actually
become reality?
Dr. Jasdev: Execution for me is implementing the planned strategy to carry out a task. In terms of realization of the task at hand, I personally like to have flexible execution of my plans as with experience I realize that seldom things go as planned, hence having an adaptive plan is my key to successful execution.
PV: What do you do to keep your family Priority #1? With the busy schedule, you keep.
Dr. Jasdev: My family is my priority number 1. It is always a constant challenge to create a daily schedule that will accommodate them as well.
PV: What accordingly to you are the keys to developing the next generation of leaders in your world?
Dr. Jasdev: The most important attribute that a health care leader and provider should possess is
Empathy, amongst the usual attributes of being a team player, being honest and accountable.