Behavioral Science: Alum Connects With Patients

Dr. Shaun Massiah

Before he became a dentist, Dr. Shaun Massiah majored in anthropology, which comes in handy when he’s treating patients. “We try very hard in anthropology not to be judgmental,” says Massiah, who graduated from RSDM in 1997. “You see people as they are and not as you want them to be.”

He mentions a recent 19-year-old patient with tongue piercings. It’s not a fashion choice Massiah would make, but he seized the opportunity to educate. “I just told him that tongue rings can destroy your teeth because when you talk, the balls hit against your teeth and chip at them over time.”

Massiah, who has a practice on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, believes that by learning about his patients’ goals and values he can give them better care. “I want to know what works for you and your lifestyle. How were you raised? It’s not as straightforward as filling cavities. There’s a socioeconomic piece to helping someone have a healthy mouth,” he explains.

Massiah, 47, was raised in Guyana, where there were no dental schools, and immigrated to the U.S. at age 17. When it was time to choose a profession after college, he thought of the volunteer dentist he had visited as a child. “I had a bad toothache; I was crying. And he was so compassionate. I was very moved by that,” he says.

As a professional in a field where black men are in a minority, Massiah shares his experiences and perspective with younger dentists. He recently spoke to members of the Student National Dental Association at RSDM about the importance of networking and researching the business end of dentistry. “We have so many chances to collaborate with dentists all over the world,” he says. “Dentists aren’t alone like they used to be. There’s so much more to learn.”