Built on Trust. Backed by Caring, Capable Hands

I didn’t choose dentistry just to clean teeth. I chose it because of the way the right care at the right time can genuinely change someone’s life—their confidence, their health, their willingness to smile again.

I grew up knowing I wanted to work in healthcare, but it wasn’t until I started shadowing doctors and dentists in college that I found my answer. The variety of what a general dentist does in a single day—getting someone out of pain, restoring a smile, helping a child feel safe in the chair for the first time—nothing else came close. I completed my undergraduate studies at Texas A&M University, earned my Bachelor’s in Dental Laboratory Science from UT Health Science Center, and went on to get my Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry. From there, I completed a General Practice Residency at New York Medical College, a hospital-based program that pushed me to handle complex cases and become a more complete clinician.

That was over 10 years ago. I’ve been practicing ever since, and I’m still driven by the same thing: listening first, then helping people get the care that’s actually right for them.

I treat patients of every age at Clove Family Dental, from first baby teeth to full smile restorations. Over the years I’ve expanded into implants, TMJ therapy, Botox, and sleep apnea and bruxism treatment, because my patients kept bringing me their real problems and I wanted to be equipped to help. That’s still how I grow, by paying attention to what my community actually needs.

What I’m most proud of, though, isn’t the technology or the certifications. It’s the trust. I take time to walk every patient through their X-rays and photos, explain the why behind every recommendation, and I’ll always be straight with you about what can wait versus what can’t. I’m not here to sell you on treatment. I’m here to help you make smart decisions for your long-term health.

I hold advanced certifications in Botulinum Toxin, TMJ and Facial Pain Therapy, Dental Sleep Medicine and Bruxism Therapy, and Implant Dentistry. I’m a member of the American Dental Association, the Texas Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Academy of Facial Esthetics.

But honestly? The thing I care about most is that you leave every appointment feeling better than when you walked in, and that you actually want to come back.

— Dr. Puja Patel