Interview with Dr. Oana Taban, CEO & founder of DENT ESTET
Success comes from a combination of vision, perseverance, and collaboration, Dr. Oana Taban tells me, the founder of DENT ESTET Clinics, who is constantly seeking to maintain a high standard of quality and ethics. The partnership with FITS is due to the common values they promote. They are the health partners of the festival, responsible for the smiles of the actors from TNRS, always close to the educational and cultural projects that add value to the community.
Oana Ciucă: You have over 20 years of experience in management and leadership. How have you felt that this whole period in which you have achieved a lot professionally has changed you as a person?
Dr. Oana Taban: This year marks 25 years since the establishment of DENT ESTET, and the experience of this quarter of a century in management and leadership has profoundly transformed me, both professionally and personally. I have learned how important teamwork and investing in people are. I am proud that even after 25 years since the opening of the first DENT ESTET clinic, I still have with me the first doctor I collaborated with, Dr. Alexandru Georgescu, and the first medical assistant.
Throughout this period, I focused on creating a work environment where every team member feels valued and motivated to reach their full potential. I wanted the team to be united, so I invested a lot in what we call the culture of sharing and mentoring. I wanted to share our experience with all those who joined us along the way, and I am happy to say that I have made a significant contribution to shaping generations of dentists.
As a manager and a dentist, I knew that young doctors need support in their continuous pursuit of professional development, so I supported them by constantly participating in national and international courses and conferences to improve their knowledge. The culture of sharing and mentoring is one of the elements that sets us apart, being a concept introduced by DENT ESTET many years ago, just like the multidisciplinary medical team and the massive investments in innovation and digitalization.
Regarding myself, there are a few words that define me as a person and as a professional: integrity, empathy, tenacity, and responsibility. I believe that you cannot build anything valuable if you do not work for it and if you do not surround yourself with people who support you every step of the way. It is essential not to deviate from your principles, even when faced with challenges and obstacles, to follow your path in life and strive to be the best at what you do.
In 2021, when we conducted the first interview with you, you mentioned that “every company should be aware of the role it plays in the community where it is present.” You have been in Sibiu for 6 years, what is your relationship with the community here?
Dr. Oana Taban: Our relationship with the community in Sibiu has always been special. In 2018, we chose to open two clinics in Sibiu, one for adults and one exclusively for children, and we discovered a welcoming city with warm people interested in their oral health.
Over the 6 years of being here, we have actively engaged with the community, developing a relationship based on collaboration and respect. We have carried out numerous local educational and health projects aimed at contributing to the well-being of the people of Sibiu. I would like to mention the educational project “Growing Healthy Smiles,” conducted by DENT ESTET 4 KIDS Sibiu in kindergartens and schools, a project that can still be accessed upon request by the beneficiaries.
As Sibiu stands out for its cultural heritage, it was natural for us to also focus on the artistic community of the city. Since 2019, we have established a close relationship with the president of the Sibiu International Theatre Festival (FITS) and also the director of the ”Radu Stanca” National Theatre Sibiu, Mr. Constantin Chiriac. We are partners for health, and this strong relationship is based on the common values we share – empathy, tenacity, perseverance. We are honored to be able to provide dental treatments to the actors of TNRS within DENT ESTET clinics.
We have also been involved in social projects and participated in cultural events, thus integrating ourselves into the social life of the city. We believe that our involvement has had a positive impact and has strengthened the relationship between DENT ESTET and the people of Sibiu.
You have a special friendship with FITS, as well as with other cultural and educational institutions in the country. What motivates you to get involved and help people in the community through the projects you implement?
Dr. Oana Taban: Our involvement in the communities where we are present, in 9 major cities in the country (Bucharest, Timisoara, Sibiu, Brasov, Cluj-Napoca, Oradea, Arad, Ploiesti, and Craiova), represents a fundamental pillar of our CSR strategy. Over time, we have developed strategic partnerships with the Radu Stanca National Theatre in Sibiu, the Toma Caragiu National Theatre and the Paul Constantinescu Philharmonic in Ploiesti, the Ioan Slavici Classical Theatre in Arad, as well as renowned artists from the Bucharest theater scene, because we wanted to actively contribute to the well-being of the artistic community.
The motivation to get involved in cultural and educational projects comes from the belief that these areas are fundamental for the development of a healthy and prosperous society. Collaborating with FITS and other institutions allows us to support initiatives that enrich the cultural and educational life of the cities where we are present. It is a way to give back to the community and contribute to creating a favorable environment for future generations. This involvement not only brings direct benefits but also fulfills us personally and professionally, confirming that we are on the right path.
