Chirag Vaid, DDS

“As part of organized dentistry, I ask myself if a piece of legislation would allow dentists to provide better care. If it doesn't, then I try to find a solution that will.”

Chirag Vaid, DDS
Sacramento, California


Chirag Vaid, DDS, has spent his career advocating for high quality care in a variety of dental environments.

“Dentistry is going through a large change with the emergence of many small- and large-group practices,” Vaid said. “As part of organized dentistry, I ask myself if a piece of legislation would allow dentists to provide better care. If it doesn’t, then I try to find a solution that will.”

Vaid’s proudest accomplishment has been establishing his own practice. He credits that feat to working as an associate for a few years and moonlighting at other practices on his days off to see different styles of practice. The range of differences was surprising to see after dental school, Vaid said.

“It wasn’t until I started working that I saw the influence insurance companies and reimbursement rates have on a practitioner’s treatment plan philosophies,” Vaid said. “Your practice philosophy is a balance between being a profitable business and maintaining excellent patient care. Many practices lean toward one or the other. The choice any dentist has to make is how much weight to place on each.”

Over the next decade, Vaid’s goals include organizing dentists to help remove barriers to care for both dentists and patients, as well as starting a nonprofit free dental care clinic in Sacramento. Vaid’s focus on the patient has earned him the respect of patients in Sacramento and his colleagues at the California AGD.

“I have referred my husband’s former patients to Vaid because I know he will treat each one with the utmost care and respect,” said Terri Iwamoto-Wong, MBA, executive director of the California AGD. “I’m continually impressed by his skills as a dentist — one would think he’s been practicing for decades.”