Smile Con’25 showcased an event that offered clinical excellence and academic exchange while also adding a breath of fresh creativity through its anticipated Dental Shark Tank event. This exciting event blended the entrepreneurial spirit with the continuously evolving world of dentistry that create initial opportunity for dental professionals and students alike to take the stage as young entrepreneurs with their ideas poised to change dental practice and improve patient care.

The atmosphere was filled with anticipation, excitement, and some level of uncertainty as young dental professionals and students prepared to take the stage and be the entrepreneurs they aspire to be. Based loosely on the television show “Shark Tank”, participants pitched their ideas to a small panel of judges to demonstrate that they were not only presenting innovative ideas, but at some level also practical, and marketable ideas. The event was engaging, informative, and a motivating event allowing the audience to think outside the clinical realm and think of themselves as problem-solvers and innovative thinkers in the world of dentistry.

What is most remarkable about the entrepreneurial event was the range of ideas presented by all participants. Each team had their own unique approach to improving dental care and after all of the pitches three overall winners were decided based on creativity, practicality, and overall entrepreneurship style. 

First Place was awarded to Muniba Younas, Fatima Manzoor, and Filza Haider, who impressed the judges with their groundbreaking concept: the DTX Instrument Trading Idea. Their project highlighted an efficient and sustainable way to manage dental instruments; an innovation that could streamline practice management and reduce costs for clinics.

Second Place went to Noor and her team for their project on the NES Dam Frame. Their idea tackled an essential component of restorative and endodontic procedures, reimagining how isolation techniques could be improved to make treatments safer, easier, and more effective.

Third Place was claimed by Musfira Ishaq, Tuaha Shafique, and Ayesha Hammad, who introduced Hydromelts, a novel concept that captured attention for its potential application in modern dentistry. Their work demonstrated how creative thinking could address unmet needs in patient care.

The competition was not just about winning; it was about learning. Participants had the opportunity to polish their entrepreneurial skills, refine their communication abilities, and receive valuable feedback from experienced judges and mentors. For many, it was a rare chance to think outside the clinical box and explore the business and innovation side of dentistry, an area often overlooked in traditional dental education.