It was nearly 18 years ago that I first met Dr Ramakrishna, the visionary behind Smiline Dental Hospitals in Hyderabad. From the very outset, it was clear he was not merely building a dental clinic — he was crafting an entire ecosystem. His ambitions extended far beyond clinical practice: training academies, structured internship programmes, robust operational protocols, cutting-edge technology adoption, and, above all, assembling a high-performing team.
During one of our early meetings, Dr Ramakrishna requested a short break to travel to Mahbubnagar. Curious, I asked what drew him there. His answer was both simple and telling: he was teaching at a dental college, and dentistry was his passion — a commitment he wasn’t willing to compromise.
Having observed large healthcare networks, especially in ophthalmology, I gave him my honest view — that he would eventually need to choose between two distinct paths. One could either remain a great clinician or evolve into a healthcare entrepreneur managing a growing enterprise. The two, in my mind, required fundamentally different perspectives and mindsets.
He was clear, even then. He told me that both he and his wife were, first and foremost, committed to excellence in dentistry. If building a business meant letting go of that identity, he would willingly pass on the business opportunity.
Yesterday, I was delighted to realise that my advice — however well-meaning — was not taken.
In hindsight, I had underestimated several critical factors. Dr Ramakrishna’s entrepreneurial spirit has proven to be as relentless as his clinical commitment. Over the years, he has consistently explored new models in dental care while maintaining his standing as a top-class dentist.
Equally instrumental to this journey has been his life partner, who brings a level of discipline and attention to detail that complements his expansive vision. Her meticulous nature — likely honed through years of clinical training and mentoring — ensures that no detail is overlooked. Together, they have struck a rare balance: big-picture thinking grounded in process-driven execution.
They have built a team culture where quality is non-negotiable, protocols are sacrosanct, and patients — or should we say, customers — receive consistently high standards of care. The results speak for themselves: Smiline today delivers both scale and excellence, a combination that eludes many.
Yesterday, I visited their new facility in Nanakramguda — the first visible step in a broader and bolder blueprint. What stood out wasn’t just the impressive infrastructure or state-of-the-art equipment; it was the sense of purpose. This is more than an expansion — it’s the beginning of a new to the world, innovative business and care model, one that could potentially reshape how dental health is perceived and delivered in the future.
It is telling that even at this stage, the focus remains on the foundation — the systems, the people, the philosophy. There is no fanfare, no rush to claim innovation for its own sake. It is being built quietly, but with clarity. Dr Ramakrishna was even hesitant to the expression 'institution' even as he has built a great one!
Wishing Dr Ramakrishna, his family, and the entire Smiline team every success as they embark on this exciting new chapter. The journey that began nearly two decades ago now rests on a foundation stronger than ever, built on passion, perseverance, and precision.
In a world where founders are often forced to choose between passion and scale, Smiline reminds us that — with the right partnership, discipline, and clarity of purpose — it is possible to do both. vision needs discipline, and dreams need systems!
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