Ottawa is home to many dental clinics, but few are built from the ground up with empathy as their foundation. The Teal Umbrella Family Dental stands apart—not because of flashy marketing or trendy tools, but because of the quiet intention behind every decision. At the heart of that intention is Dr. Sheema Samarrae.
Sheema began her dental career overseas before immigrating to Canada—a shift that brought both challenge and clarity. Starting over in a new country gave her a sharper view of what truly matters in care. She saw how many patients, especially newcomers, struggled to feel heard and understood.
After navigating Canada’s rigorous licensing system, Sheema opened The Teal Umbrella with a clear mission: to create a clinic where patients feel safe, informed, and respected. Her own journey helped her build a practice that blends clinical excellence with deep personal care. Inclusivity, education, and honest communication are not extras—they’re essentials.
Today, her approach quietly changes the experience of dental care in Ottawa, one patient at a time.
A Clinic Built on Comfort, Not Convention
The Teal Umbrella didn’t begin as a business plan. It began with an observation. Early in her Canadian practice, Dr. Sheema Samarrae noticed a pattern—too many patients walked in feeling anxious, confused, or simply unheard. Dental care, for many, felt rushed and transactional. She wanted something better.
“I envisioned a space where patients felt understood, respected, and fully involved in their care,” she says. “Where we treat the person, not just the teeth.”
That idea became the foundation for The Teal Umbrella Family Dental. The name itself carries meaning. Teal, soft, and calming. An umbrella, a symbol of safety and care. “It represents protection, calm, and care,” Sheema explains—values that shape every aspect of the clinic, from its design to how conversations happen.
Being located in the heart of Ottawa allows the practice to serve a wide range of patients, from new immigrants to multigenerational families. Still, what truly sets it apart is not its location but its tone—clear, kind, and quietly confident. The clinic is modern in its tools, yes—but it’s the warmth that keeps people coming back.
Care That Covers the Whole Family, All Under One Roof
Step into The Teal Umbrella, and you’ll find more than just a dental office—you’ll find a thoughtfully built ecosystem. Every department works together to support one idea: care should be complete, comforting, and centered on the whole person. From toddlers to seniors, everyone has a place here.
At its foundation is preventive dentistry, where regular cleanings and exams are paired with patient education. “It’s about early detection and personalized strategies,” says Dr. Sheema Samarrae. “We want families to feel like they’re staying ahead, not playing catch-up.”
For the youngest visitors, pediatric dentistry is designed to ease fear and build trust. Kids are treated gently, with plenty of patience and encouragement. Restorative and cosmetic dentistry services—fillings, crowns, veneers, smile makeovers—are tailored not just for function but for confidence.
As the only Diamond Top 1% Invisalign GP Provider in the City of Ottawa, Sheema’s team offers advanced orthodontic care, while oral surgery and implants are handled in-house to keep things consistent. There’s also specialized care for TMJ disorders and same-day access for dental emergencies.
No matter the department, the goal stays the same: care that is seamless, collaborative, and deeply personal—guided by a team that truly knows the patient.
Wearing Many Hats, Rooted in One Purpose
Leadership at The Teal Umbrella doesn’t sit behind a desk. It moves alongside patients and walks the hallways with purpose. As owner and lead dentist, Dr. Sheema Samarrae balances the clinical with the strategic, always keeping patient experience at the center.
She still works chairside, treating patients directly. “That connection is what fuels my passion and keeps me grounded in why I started this journey in the first place,” she says. Her clinical work isn’t separate from leadership—it informs it.
Beyond dentistry, Sheema leads the strategic growth of the practice. From adopting new technologies to building a state-of-the-art facility that will expand access and collaboration, she’s always thinking a few steps ahead. Her vision includes a future where more dentists can thrive in a supportive, team-driven environment.
Operationally, she partners with her leadership team to keep systems smooth—scheduling, finances, treatment planning, and patient communication all fall under her watch. But what matters most, she says, is the culture.
“I strive to create a culture of kindness, accountability, and professional development.” That’s not a motto—it’s how the team works, learns, and supports one another, every day.
Technology That Serves, Not Just Shines
At The Teal Umbrella, technology isn’t used for show—it’s chosen with purpose. Every tool, every upgrade, is meant to do one thing better: serve the patient. Whether it’s increasing comfort, improving accuracy, or saving time, innovation here is always grounded in care.
“We don’t invest in tech just because it’s new,” says Dr. Sheema Samarrae. “We choose tools that make treatment more precise, comfortable, and long-lasting.”
One of the most impactful additions is the iTero digital scanner, which replaces messy, uncomfortable impressions with clean, accurate 3D scans. It’s a game-changer for procedures like Invisalign, crowns, and other restorative treatments.
The practice also uses CEREC technology, allowing same-day crowns to be designed, milled, and placed in a single appointment—no temporary crowns, no repeat visits. For patients, that means less time off work and a faster path to recovery.
Advanced CBCT 3D imaging and low-radiation digital X-rays improve diagnostics and safety, while laser dentistry supports gentler procedures with quicker healing.
At its core, Sheema’s tech strategy is simple: reduce stress, improve outcomes, and ensure patients leave feeling cared for, not just treated.
A Relentless Student of the Craft
For Dr. Sheema, continuing education isn’t a checkbox—it’s a mindset. With over 2,000 hours of advanced training under her belt, she approaches dentistry with the curiosity of a student and the precision of a seasoned clinician.
“Dentistry is constantly evolving, and I’ve always believed that to provide the best care, you have to be willing to keep learning, growing, and challenging yourself,” she says.
Her training includes work at globally recognized institutions, including the Kois Center in Seattle—renowned for its evidence-based, comprehensive approach. She is also an active member of the American Academy of Clear Aligners (AACA), further cementing her expertise in modern orthodontic solutions. That experience shaped more than her technical skills. It rewired how she thinks: with intention, long-term planning, and a firm grip on the science behind every choice.
The impact shows in the chair. With deeper knowledge, Sheema is able to offer expanded services, take on complex cases, and make more confident, tailored decisions for each patient.
But the value doesn’t stop there. Sheema’s growth as a clinician has also shaped her as a mentor. “By investing in my own growth, I’m better equipped to support and guide other dentists,” she says. The result? A ripple effect of excellence that goes beyond her own hands.
Starting Over, Moving Forward
When Dr. Sheema Samarrae arrived in Canada, she didn’t just unpack her belongings—she unpacked a career, a dream, and the willingness to start from zero. Though already a trained dentist, she had to complete Canada’s licensing process from the ground up. It meant rigorous exams, intensive retraining, and balancing it all alongside raising a family.
“It was a demanding time,” she says, “but I stayed focused because I knew I was rebuilding something meaningful.”
That spirit of determination carried into the next chapter. Sheema took over a retiring dentist’s practice—a space with its own systems, culture, and long-standing patients. While the foundation was in place, transforming it into The Teal Umbrella meant more than changing the sign.
She listened—to her staff, her patients, and her instincts. Then came the careful work: upgrading technology, expanding services, reshaping workflows, and building a culture that reflected her values. Compassion, education, and excellence became the new pillars.
Each challenge, Sheema says, brought growth. “Even when it’s uncomfortable, growth is what leads to something truly better.” That mindset didn’t just guide her through change—it helped her shape a practice worth building from scratch.
Defining Success on Her Own Terms
Milestones in Dr. Sheema Samarrae’s career haven’t arrived all at once—they’ve shown up gradually, like markers on a long and meaningful path. Each represents a different kind of growth: clinical mastery, business evolution, and personal fulfillment.
Clinically, one of her proudest achievements is earning the title of the only Diamond Top 1% Invisalign GP Provider in the City of Ottawa. But the title is just the surface. “It reflects the hundreds of patients whose confidence and oral health have been transformed under our care,” she says.
As an entrepreneur, she’s proud of how far The Teal Umbrella has come. From updating the tools and services to strengthening the team and reshaping the patient experience, Sheema has carefully rebuilt the practice with integrity and intention.
One of the most exciting recent developments is the launch of a new, state-of-the-art facility—designed not just to serve more patients, but to create space for mentoring young dentists.
And on a more personal note, Sheema holds deep pride in the balance she’s found. “Being a clinician, business owner, mentor, and mother isn’t easy—but staying true to my values has made it all worth it.”
Looking Ahead: A Vision That Reaches Beyond the Chair
The future of The Teal Umbrella isn’t just about growth—it’s about deepening impact. For Dr. Sheema Samarrae, the most exciting chapter is already underway: a new, modern facility built with intention.
“This space is designed not just for more patients,” she explains, “but for better collaboration, new services, and mentorship opportunities for other dentists.”
The expanded clinic will house advanced digital tools and same-day dentistry capabilities, including CEREC and laser technologies, as well as enhanced digital workflows that streamline care while elevating precision. For patients, it means faster, more comfortable experiences. For the team, it opens doors to innovation and continuous improvement.
But growth, for Sheema, goes beyond technology. Her vision includes more community outreach—programs that remove barriers for families who may struggle with cost, access, or language. She’s exploring flexible payment options, education initiatives, and preventive care programs that meet people where they are.
Her long-term goal is clear: “I want The Teal Umbrella to be more than a clinic. I want it to be a hub for mentorship, innovation, and community wellness—a place where care is personal and progress never stops.”
Presence Over Perfection
Ask Dr. Sheema Samarrae about work-life balance, and she’ll tell you she doesn’t aim for perfection. Instead, she values presence.
“I’ve learned that balance isn’t about splitting time evenly—it’s about being fully present in whatever you’re doing,” she says. Whether she’s caring for patients, guiding her team, or spending time with her family, Sheema brings her full attention to the moment.
Outside the clinic, she finds calm in creative expression. Drawing, beading, and other handcrafted art are more than hobbies—they’re part of her self-care. These quiet moments with paper, thread, or color offer something dentistry can’t: stillness.
“Art helps me disconnect from daily stress,” she says. “It brings a meditative energy that keeps me centered.”
This creative energy also shows up in her clinical life. Patience, attention to detail, and the joy of creating something beautiful—these qualities flow between her studio and her practice.
In a world that often glorifies busyness, Sheema’s approach is different. She doesn’t chase balance for its own sake. Instead, she protects what matters most: time well spent, energy well placed, and the quiet confidence of living with intention.
A Note to the Next in Line
If there’s one thing Dr. Sheema Samarrae wants future healthcare leaders to remember, it’s this: compassion matters just as much as competence. In a field driven by precision and science, the human element is still what patients remember most.
“Technical skills will always be important,” she says, “but it’s your values and how you treat people—your patients, your team, and yourself—that will truly define your success.”
Sheema doesn’t shy away from the hard truths. There will be setbacks. There will be doubt. But she encourages young leaders to stay the course, especially when the path feels uphill. “Don’t be afraid to take the harder path if it aligns with your purpose,” she says. “And don’t wait for the perfect moment to lead—start where you are.”
She calls for courage, yes—but also for care. Keep learning, stay curious, and prioritize your own well-being, she urges. Because the healthcare system isn’t just about policies or procedures—it’s about people.
“Canada’s healthcare system needs your passion, your innovation, and your heart—now more than ever.” With that, Sheema extends not just advice, but an invitation—to lead with heart, and to build something that truly matters.
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Also Read: Canada’s Most Inspiring Leaders in Healthcare to Watch in 2025
