This Mother’s Day, Raabiha Maan and Robiha Nazir share how they juggle motherhood and dentistry, and what they are hoping to achieve through the Dental Mums Network.
What does being a mother mean to you?
Robiha: When I was a little girl, I looked up to the women around me and admired who they were, but I didn’t truly know or understand their sacrifices – what they had to do to show up as kind, loving humans looked like a walk in the park.
Fast forward to the day I became a mother, it hit me hard. I got it! Being a mother was so much more than all the things I’d seen the women around me doing. The depth, the behind the scenes, the emotions they hid – I wasn’t sure I was cut out for this.
My definition and what motherhood has turned out to be for me is a constant flow of unconditional love – for my children, for the people who support us, and most importantly for myself. I’d never seen my own mother do anything for her needs, and I guess I have her to thank for the selfless side she instilled in me.
Motherhood for me has been about unlearning all the things I learnt growing up and starting to learn to become selfish. It has been a journey filled with the constant managing of emotions, responsibilities, organisation, problem solving and adjusting when things don’t go to plan. I’m still learning and I’m now more compassionate to myself so that I can show up as a better mother.
What’s the biggest lesson motherhood has taught you?
Robiha: My biggest takeaway from the journey so far is knowing that unconditional love is without a doubt the best foot forward. Learning that my needs are also just as important, if not more so, for me to be more present for others has taken me a long time to prioritise.
A bigger lesson has been that it’s okay not to be okay, not to know everything, that we can’t always protect our children from everything, and sometimes providing for them comes in the form of a ‘no’.
If you know me then you’ll know that I refrain from the negatives ‘don’t do that’ or ‘no, you can’t’, but that’s a topic for another day.
How do you balance the high-pressure nature of dentistry with motherhood?
Raabiha: Truthfully, I do not believe in the word ‘balance’. It suggests you can do everything at once, be the perfect mum, the perfect boss and the perfect wife, and you just cannot. For a long time, I berated myself for not being able to do it all, and it is something I am still learning to be kinder to myself about.
It is a constant juggle. Some days I feel completely overwhelmed, and I have to pause and remind myself to lead with intention, not just intensity. That means having clear non-negotiables and setting boundaries around work and tasks, because the to-do list never ends. It also means carving out time for myself, because without that, burnout is inevitable. And not long ago, I did burn out.
I had to pause and reset. I had launched a network, was running a practice, editing a second book, designing events and other projects. I realised I can do a lot, just not all at the same time.
Now, I am more intentional with how I plan my days, more careful with my energy, and constantly reminding myself to go easier on myself.
But above everything, my children come first. These early years are so short and so important. I truly believe in being present for them, to build emotional security and deep connection.
I have set clear boundaries. I work for ninety minutes a day when they are awake, and the rest of my work happens during afternoon naps or after bedtime. When I have deadlines, I call in grandma or wait for their dad to step in. I also have house help so I do not spend energy on tasks I do not enjoy, and can focus on what matters most: my children.
Tell us about the Dental Mums Network and what you hope to achieve through it
Raabiha: The Dental Mums Network was born from a deeply personal need. Back in 2020 during the pandemic, I became a mother and practice owner at the same time and I struggled to juggle both. I created a group for mothers who also owned practices, and it quickly became an incredible support network for so many women. Soon after, I began receiving messages from others in the industry asking if I could create something more inclusive. That is where the idea really grew.
Today, I am building a community for mums, mums-to-be, and those who want to better understand or support the journey of motherhood, including those navigating fertility struggles or planning their future. While the name centres ‘mums’, it is really about creating a safe space that not only supports women practically and emotionally, but also inspires growth, confidence and leadership.
Whether it is through events, workshops or simply honest conversation, I want every mum to know you are not alone, and you are more powerful than you think.
What’s the importance of a network like this?
Robiha: ‘Momentous’ is the word that comes to mind when I think of the Dental Mums Network. It’s the first of its kind. People know how important it is to have support, but to have the right support is even more determining. Do you know anyone that has ever done everything on their own?!
As mothers in the dental industry, we know what it takes to find equilibrium. There is no such thing as balance. What we are doing is half-assing everything to show our worth. So, if we’re going to do it all, let’s learn the basics so when we grow old, we can look back in admiration and not regret.
Having a strong network makes a huge difference. The value lies in the vulnerability, connections and things we share. I want to help get others to a place where we are breaking innate behaviours, changing mindsets and paving a new path for the future generations. Watch this space as we build, connect and bring you the support.
What challenges have you faced as a mother in dentistry?
Raabiha: One of the biggest challenges I faced was becoming a new mum and a practice owner at the same time, right in the middle of the pandemic. I didn’t know what I was doing in the role and I felt torn. I felt guilty at the idea of taking time away from my baby, and I also felt guilty not being able to be there for my staff, who really needed support during such a difficult time.
What helped me through was leaning on my practice partners, my brother and my husband, who stepped in so I could focus on being the present mum I wanted to be. I was able to stay at home for that first year and a half, and during that time, I took on the parts of the business I could manage from home in designated hours. That allowed me to be fully present with my daughter and, when I was working, give work my full attention too.
When I returned to work, I was able to do it on my own terms. I eased in gradually – first half a day, then a day – and created a flexible routine that worked for me and my family. I’m lucky that I can do this, as so many mothers in dentistry struggle to return to work. Some feel like they’ve de-skilled or that the industry has moved on without them. Others find it hard to get part-time jobs that actually work around family life. Many worry they won’t get hired because their kids might get sick, or that they won’t be seen as reliable compared to male colleagues.
My hope is that through the Dental Mums Network, mums can come together to share experiences, support one another, and find real solutions that move us towards a more inclusive and supportive profession.
What are your top tips for anyone struggling with balancing motherhood and dentistry?
Raabiha: First, find your tribe. Surround yourself with people who understand the juggle and uplift you when it feels heavy. Whether it is fellow mums in dentistry, friends, or family, having a support system makes all the difference.
Be kind to yourself. As dentists, as women, and especially as mothers, we can be incredibly hard on ourselves. But if you are feeling guilty, it probably means you care deeply – and that alone makes you a good mother. Let go of the pressure to be perfect. You are doing more than enough.
Define your own version of success. It does not have to look like anyone else’s. For me, it is about having a happy home, and emotionally secure, joyful children. Everything else is wonderful, and I am proud of it, but at the heart of it all, if my children are happy and healthy, that is success.
Take care of yourself. It is not about putting yourself above your family, it is about including yourself in the picture too. I have learned that when I prioritise rest, nourishment and moments of joy for myself, my cup stays full. And when my cup is full, it naturally overflows into my children’s. That is how I show up with presence, patience and love.
You do not have to do it all, and you definitely do not have to do it all at once. You just need to do what matters most to you, in a way that feels right for your life.
How does the profession need to change to better support working mothers?
I’m not one for holding back, so here are a few suggestions that I feel are pivotal for our industry to stay afloat. As the ratio of women to men changes, the things to consider (some of which will be addressed through the Dental Mums Network) are:
- More flexible scheduling
- Paid maternity leave and better return-to-work support
- A more supportive work culture
- Ergonomic considerations during pregnancy
- Mental health and wellbeing support
- Fair advancement opportunities
- Support for pumping and breastfeeding
- Legal and policy advocacy
- Redefining success in dentistry
- Increased access to remote or alternative roles
- More family-friendly continuing education options
- Support for dental business owners who are mums.
- Encouraging more conversations about parenthood in the workplace.
And one for the future:
14. On-site or subsidised childcare.
Click here to find out more about the Dental Mums Network.
Raabiha Maan is the founder of the Dental Mums Network and Robiha Nazir is the events consultant.
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