Alumni Profile Q&A: Dr. Monisha Iyer – An Orthodontist Who Believes in ‘Forever Learning’ and Paying it Forward

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To say that Dr. Monisha Iyer is appreciative of her educational journey doesn’t quite capture the thoughtful gratitude and upbeat approach she brings to her orthodontics practice in Marlton, New Jersey. As she hits the 20-year mark this year at her current practice, and 23 years of practicing total, she says her educational journey was perfect for her. She started with a bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology from the University of Michigan, earned her DMD from Harvard University with honors, then returned to U-M for her master’s in orthodontics, graduating in 2003. She received the prestigious Thomas M. Graber Award of Special Merit from the American Association of Orthodontists for her master’s research. She has lectured in national forums, taught Continuing Education courses, is an adjunct faculty member at the U-M dental school and is, with her practice partners, among the top 1 percent of Invisalign providers nationwide. In a recent interview, she talked about her educational background and mentors, her career track, and her major financial gift to the U-M orthodontics program.

Q: You credit one of your grandmothers and your childhood orthodontist as influences who directed you to a career as an orthodontist. Tell us about that.

A: My parents and family are from India. My grandmother visited us when I was in middle school. I had crooked teeth, my canines were high and awkward, and I was always quick to stop my smile. Basically, my grandma pushed my dad to get me braces. In India, just like education, marriage is a big thing. So, as the story goes, in an effort to improve my chances of marriage, I was given the gift of braces! My orthodontist not only fixed my teeth but changed my life. Dr. Bramante was always happy and relaxed and talked to us as patients. Observing him was fun and I would get excited for every appointment. It did not take me long to realize that he had the best profession in the world. He is the reason I became an orthodontist. It was a no-brainer for me. It was science-y but people-oriented. It was academic yet artistic. It would allow me to be me. Quite simply, it all aligned.

Q: You grew up close to New York Çity and in northern New Jersey. How did you choose the University of Michigan for your undergraduate degree, then go to Harvard for dentistry, then return to U-M for your orthodontics residency?

A: I love New York and it is home. Dr. Bramante had attended and taught at Columbia University, so that was where I wanted to go. When I didn’t get admitted there, my high school counselor who knew me well encouraged me to apply to Michigan. I was admitted and immediately traveled to Ann Arbor for a tour. The minute I stepped on campus I knew Michigan was where I was meant to be. I wanted big and bold; it was a perfect match. I spent four years at U-M and I would never go anywhere else. But for dental school I wanted to be closer to family. The East Coast was calling me back. And when Harvard admitted me, I could not say no. It was a foundational four years, a stepping stone to the heart of my training. For my orthodontic degree, I wanted the best and I knew, if admitted, U-M was it. It is a world-class department. Coincidentally, a great friend, Rebecca Rubin, had taken the same path as me – undergraduate at U-M, dental degree at Harvard, then returned to the orthodontics program at U-M. With total confidence, she said I should do the same thing. So those were the factors, and I couldn’t be happier with the path and outcome of my education. I feel very lucky.

Q: What stands out as you recall your three-year ortho residency at U-M?

A: We had the leaders of the orthodontics world at our fingertips. Dr. Lysle Johnston and Dr. Jim McNamara headed the program and they are, without exaggeration, world-renowned. I was humbled to learn from the best in our field. Hosting the annual Moyers Symposium always felt special. As students, we coordinated the program and greeted orthodontic residents, faculty and experts from around the world to share and learn the latest research and procedures. We were in charge of one of the greatest meetings of orthodontic minds. I chose Dr. Johnston as my thesis advisor. Though a bit intimidating to many, he was my inspiration. Some days when things weren’t going so well, he would tell me (using my maiden name): “Dr. Gupta, these are the best days of your life!”  He was right. We were privileged to be Orthodontic residents, and at Michigan. He believed in each of us and encouraged us to practice exactly where we wanted to practice despite competition. He dedicated his heart and soul into imparting us with as much knowledge and discernment as possible. Another faculty member who has had a great influence on how I think and work is Dr. Chris Roberts. One of his principles was: “Keep it simple, Mo, don’t use fancy tools.”   “Simple” has guided me throughout my career and has helped me overcome challenges, big and small. I do believe that the people we are surrounded by are one of the most determining factors to our successes. The people that were around me were resilient, talented, resourceful, committed and passionate. There was nothing that let me down. I had high expectations and they were all met.

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Q: Describe the start of your career after residency and how you arrived at your current practice.

A: When I got out of school, New York was where I wanted to be. That was my passion and where I grew up, so I opened an ortho practice in a general dentist’s office in Rye, a popular suburb northeast of New York City. I started the practice from scratch and did everything from ordering instruments to figuring out fee schedules and hiring. Managing this venture taught me many things about the practice of orthodontics that I did not learn in school. Alongside my time at Rye, I worked at a large, chain practice which provided a wealth of patient experience and needed income. Three years later, I got a call from Dr. Ross Segal, who did his ortho training at Temple University. We had met as residents at a national Tweed seminar and discussed the possibility of someday opening a practice together. It was 2006 when we decided to establish Segal and Iyer Orthodontics in Marlton, located in southern New Jersey, near Philadelphia. So, I moved my whole life south to the central Jersey town of Princeton. Princeton is an ideal residence as it is a diverse, collegiate town that is reminiscent of Ann Arbor and located half way between my forever practice and New York.

Q: This year will mark 20 years of the practice. That seems like a good indication of success.

A: The practice has done very well. It’s been a joy to watch it grow over the years and I attribute much of our success to the work family that surrounds me. Together, we built our reputation on principles that are important to our patients: excellence, integrity and personal attention. We strive to exceed expectations every day. Being an orthodontist fits me. I love to talk to people, I love children and I love seeing people smile. It’s an amazing place to be in – to be able to have the ability to form relationships, foster friendships, have an impact on people’s lives – those are all things the practice has given me. What sets orthodontics apart from other specialties is the ability to build long-term connections with your patients. It’s far beyond a one-time encounter; you get to develop real bonds that last years.  I am grateful for every aspect that this profession brings – the sharing, the caring and the genuine spirit of giving. And just as Dr. Bramante influenced me, when I got into ortho, my dream was to do the same. I wanted to inspire one of my patients to go into orthodontics the way he inspired me. And I did. Three of my patients are in dental school right now.

Q: You’ve maintained your ties to the U-M School of Dentistry in recent years. You were here for the event celebrating the 100th anniversary of the ortho department. For the last couple of years you’ve been an adjunct clinical assistant professor in the Orthodontics clinic, teaching a summer course on Invisalign treatment, with a couple of trips to campus at the start of the course to meet the residents and then Zoom instruction for the remainder. And then in early 2024, you made a major financial gift of $100,000 to the orthodontics program for the Iyer Family Lifelong Learning Fund. Not every graduate maintains ties with their alma mater – why have you?

A: Because I love the concept of paying it forward. The profession has given me so much and I am very keen on giving back. I believe there are many ways to do so. One of my true passions is teaching. I began teaching at the department when I knew I could commit. As my children leave home and embark on their own journeys, I want to contribute more and even be on the clinic floor on a regular basis. I hope I can serve as a positive influence for my family and the younger generation. I’d like to pass on the things I learned along the way that I wish I knew back then. At Michigan, every experience, every teacher and every colleague has helped shape who I am today. We are forever learning. It is with this in mind that I started my fund at Michigan. The universe has given me so much, Michigan has given me so much. It is my duty to give it back in any way I can, that’s just how I feel.

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The University of Michigan School of Dentistry is one of the nation’s leading dental schools engaged in oral healthcare education, research, patient care and community service.  General dental care clinics and specialty clinics providing advanced treatment enable the school to offer dental services and programs to patients throughout Michigan.  Classroom and clinic instruction prepare future dentists, dental specialists and dental hygienists for practice in private offices, hospitals, academia and public agencies.  Research seeks to discover and apply new knowledge that can help patients worldwide.  For more information about the School of Dentistry, visit us on the Web at: www.dent.umich.edu.  Email: [email protected], or (734) 615-1971.