We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tonya Bissoon a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Tonya , thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the story behind how you got your first job in field that you currently practice in.

Dental assisting was where it all started for me.  I always knew that I wanted to become a dentist, so I went to a high school that specializes in various healthcare options. Presented with the choice between graduating as a Dental Assistant or a Dental Lab Technician, I intentionally directed my studies towards assisting, which gave me firsthand exposure to the dental field. In addition to my  high school diploma, I earned  my credentials as a certified Dental Assistant. With this in hand, I was able to work summers in the field at various general and specialty dental offices.

These experiences fueled my passion for becoming a dentist.  While the dream of pursuing dentistry was in sight, the path to achieving it was filled with uncertainty, especially within the context of my upbringing. However, through exposure to the field, I gained invaluable insight and guidance from those who had walked the path I sought to follow. Armed with newfound knowledge and inspiration, I meticulously set course to navigate the challenges ahead. Trust, it wasn’t easy. There were many hurdles along the way, but the process prepared and shaped me to be the person I am today.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hi everyone!  I am Dr. Tonya Bellamy-Bissoon (aka Dr. B!).  I’m a Mom of 2, Wife (14yrs deep!), proud West Indian (Barbados), love dancing, laughing, and creating unforgettable experiences.  One of which is my biggest career accomplishment, becoming Founder and Owner of Brilliance Dentistry.  If there is a single word to define this portion of my life, it would be dedication.  I have dedicated over 20 + years of selfless service, research and innovation in the field, where the perspective of various positions helped to refine Brilliance Dentistry’s unique approach to patient care.  It’s my “secret sauce” which helps to bring a bespoke experience to each person filled with authenticity flavored with palpable passion.

Over the years I have learned a simple truth that is now woven into “My Philosophy of Care”.  A person’s oral health is connected to their overall well being.  When you are in our care, we celebrate you, your care then, ultimately becomes an extension of who you are.

The pride of building this dream space typically have people asking “Is this really a dental office?”.  I am proud to stand alongside a dedicated team, a culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and unwavering pursuit of excellence. Our practice is not just about providing dental services; it’s about creating a haven where patients feel empowered, understood, and valued.

Our brand is centered around radiance, diversity and intelligence. Potential clients/followers/ fans can expect to find a kind, diverse, and skilled team when they visit Brilliance Dentistry. We’re focused on giving you and your family a highly personalized and relaxed experience.

I invite you to join us on this journey of radiance, diversity, and intelligence which are our core values at Brilliance Dentistry.  We strive to redefine the dental experience and set new standards of excellence within the healthcare sector.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I heard so many no’s throughout my dental career.  Like I said before, it was easy to say that I wanted to become a dentist. Let’s get vulnerable for a minute. I don’t think that I have ever said to anyone besides my husband what it was like. At every stage along this journey there was always something that tried to stop me. While in college I had advisors tell me that getting into dental school was not going to be a direct route, despite having amazing grades, extracurriculars, and being involved. So when I applied to dental school and didn’t get in, I got into my head and said that it wasn’t going to happen and they were right. It took me 3 rounds of applying to get accepted.

While in dental school, being a minority and having a class size of 41 students, I had to work twice as hard to prove that I deserve to be there.  Don’t get me wrong, we all worked hard, but it was the underlying tones and comments that made me feel that some didn’t think I belonged. However, I stayed true to who I was and got it done. I brought all my knowledge from working in the field and locked into being the best student that Tonya could be.  I graduated as projected, despite the obstacles mentioned prior, being 8 months pregnant, and losing my dad suddenly.  I proudly walked across that stage hearing the homecoming like cheers of my husband, family and over 50 + people from my village.

In a nutshell, I realized resilience, “the capacity to withstand or recover quickly from difficulties; toughness” is me personified.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start?

Sharing this story is incredibly important to me because it underscores the significance of investing in people. It’s a testament to the profound impact that support and belief in someone’s vision can have on their journey to success.

It’s a narrative that resonates deeply with me as it highlights the transformative power of generosity and faith in others. A close friend of both my husband and me recognized the ambition and determination behind my dream of opening my own dental office. Without hesitation, he stepped forward and not only invested in my vision but also provided the financial support needed to turn that dream into reality.

His belief in me was not just a monetary transaction; it was a lifeline that allowed me to navigate the complexities of starting a business with confidence and clarity. With the burden of financial stress lifted, I was able to transition from conceptualizing my business on paper and vision boards to taking concrete steps to bring it to fruition. I will be forever grateful to my friend for his unwavering support and belief in me.

This experience has left an indelible mark on me, instilling a profound sense of responsibility to pay it forward. I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to invest in someone else’s dreams with the same level of faith and generosity that was extended to me. It’s a cycle of support and empowerment that I am committed to perpetuating, knowing firsthand the transformative impact it can have.

Regarding the initial capital needed to start, it was through the generous investment and loan provided by my friend that we were able to secure the liquidity required for the bank’s approval.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://brilliancedentistry.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brilliance_dentistry/?next=%2F&hl=en
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/tonya-bellamy-bissoon-007034177