MEET DR. MAYS ALSHAWI
Santee
Dr. Mays entered the field drawn by a personal revelation—a transformative experience with a female orthodontist when Dr. Mays was 13 years old. Graduating from dental school in Iraq in 2012, she requalified at the University of Southern California Dental School after moving to the United States seven years ago. Working in her Santee community, she finds satisfaction in serving neighbors, friends, and family.
Beyond dentistry, Dr. Mays is passionate about her two boys. She enjoys family activities, hiking, and sewing. Actively involved in cultivating the Dental Express team, she values weekly meetings enhancing cohesion between the team. Being part of the Dental Express family stands out as the highlight of her career, offering new perspectives and encouraging more complete patient care. Emphasizing adaptability among core values, she appreciates the team’s collaborative approach. Juggling the challenges of time management, she draws inspiration from her hero—her mother, a single, working mom who instilled values of authenticity, self-expression, and resilience.
Why did you become a dentist?
I come from a family of physicians and engineers. I was the first dentist in the family. I fell in love with dentistry when I was 13 years old. I had very high canines, and I was unable to smile. I had no confidence to smile. When I had braces, the orthodontist was kind and capable. She gave me this beautiful smile, and it changed my confidence. It really changed my life. I wanted to have the same impact in every person’s life. She altered my life 180 degrees, and I wanted to have the same effect on other people. That’s why at age 13, I decided I wanted to be a dentist.
Where did you go to dental school?
I went to dental school in Iraq and graduated in 2012. I moved to the United States seven years ago, and I went to University of Southern California Dental School to requalify my degree.
What is your favorite part of your dental practice?
I live in Santee and being able to work in the same area I live in, makes me feel very accomplished. I feel satisfaction in serving my community. I feel that every patient is my neighbor, my friend, my family, my kids, my kids’ friends. It makes me even more considerate of patients and gives me another perspective of treating patients.
What are your passions outside of dentistry?
The number one thing I am passionate about is my two little boys. I love spending time with them and doing activities together. I also enjoy hiking and traveling with my family. If I get some time away from the boys, I sew, and they love watching me do it!
How do you help cultivate the Dental Express team?
I love that we have weekly team meetings. I look forward to each of them because it makes me feel that we are more than a team. We work closely together, and we can share our ups and downs of the week together which I find to be very important. We also use this time to provide feedback to each other, which makes us better as a team.
What would you say is the highlight of your career?
I worked in Iraq as well as multiple dental offices in the U.S. I feel that being at Dental Express is the highlight of my career. It has given me a new perspective and has encouraged me to provide more complete care. Being in the Dental Express family is the highlight.
Of Dental Express’ five core values (integrity, empathy, adaptability, collaboration, and whistle while you work) which do you feel is the most valuable to you as a dentist?
Currently, adaptability because I started to work at Dental Express recently and there has been a lot change for me. As a team, we adapt to changes at the office together and that is so helpful.
What is your greatest challenge working as a dentist?
Time management. As a mother of two very active two boys and as a full-time dentist, I feel that time management can be challenging. My husband and I collaborate to get the best of each day for us and the kids. We organize our days carefully so that we can have the time that is specific for us as a couple and for each of us as individuals. But I think we’re on top it!
Who is your hero?
My hero is my mother. When I was growing up, she was a single, working mom. She inspires me to be myself, to be real, to express myself, and to speak up.
