Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Sarah.
Hi Dr. Sarah, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in the suburb of Paris, France. Growing up, I had a pretty rough childhood — fatherless, with my father in prison, and raised in an abusive, damaged single-parent household. I bounced around between foster care, my grandmother’s home, and my aunt’s house. Even then, I knew I wanted a better future for myself, and that one day, I would provide a better life for my own family.
I realized early on that there wasn’t much waiting for me back home. With the help and encouragement of my boarding school director and teachers — who truly believed in me — I came to understand that I was capable of so much more, and that my future was entirely in my own hands.
Determined to change my life, I made the decision to move to the United States. After working three summers in a row at McDonald’s and commuting four hours a day by train, I finally saved enough to buy a one-way ticket out of my small hometown of Montgeron, a suburb of Paris.
I landed at an English school in Tarrytown, New York, where I had to learn the language from scratch and pass all the required exams to get into college. It wasn’t easy, but I was determined. My goal wasn’t just to pass — it was to excel. This was my revenge on life.
I was accepted to Yeshiva University in New York City, where my boyfriend at the time was studying. I knew there was no way I could afford tuition on my own, but I worked as hard as I possibly could and, in what felt like a miracle, I managed to earn a scholarship and an in-house loan. I like to believe it was my hard work, my 3.97 GPA during freshman year, and my relentless persistence that made it happen — though part of me still believes fate had something else planned for me.
As an international student, I was assigned an academic advisor, Mrs. Marga Marx, who checked in on our academic progress and well-being. Around that time, I was preparing for my wedding at age 20, and I was missing two front teeth — a permanent left lateral incisor and an impacted canine. I was self-conscious about my smile and often reserved. Mrs. Marx noticed and offered to help. She arranged a consultation for me at a large orthodontic practice in the Financial District.
The staff treated me with such care. They brought me to the back amid a full waiting room and carefully evaluated my case. When the consultation was over, they handed me a treatment plan quote far beyond my means. I thanked them for their time and generosity but explained to Dr. Al-Janabi that I simply couldn’t afford it — I was barely getting by.
Shortly after, Mrs. Marx called to ask how the appointment went. I thanked her again but told her the treatment was beyond my means. She told me to wait and said she needed to make a call. Twenty minutes later, my life changed forever. She called back to tell me it was all taken care of — the orthodontic team would treat me at no charge.
At the time, I was overwhelmed with gratitude, but it’s only later that I realized how deeply that moment would shape my life. Every time I returned for adjustments, Dr. Al-Janabi would ask me what I saw and what I wanted to change. He encouraged me to think critically, to visualize, and to recognize the power of orthodontic care — not just in transforming a smile, but in transforming confidence and lives.
That was the moment I knew: I wanted to become an orthodontist. I wanted to give others the same gift that had changed my life. It might sound cliché, but I truly believe it was meant to be. From that moment on, I had tunnel vision.
I got married, had my daughter during my final year of college, and graduated third in my dental class — and first woman — from Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine in Florida. After interviewing at 12 orthodontic residency programs, I matched with my first choice: Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston.
After ten years of marriage, life took another turn as my marriage ended, but fate had other plans. I met my fiancé while he was completing his prosthodontics residency. We later moved to Missouri when he accepted a position at UMKC School of Dental Medicine. We both fell in love with the people, the warmth, and the authenticity of life in the Midwest, and we decided to make it home.
Ownership had always been one of my biggest dreams — to create a place where I could make a difference in the lives of patients and my team. Over three years ago, that dream became reality when I opened my first orthodontic startup in Odessa, Missouri. One year ago, I opened my second location in Independence, Missouri.
Every challenge, every hardship, every act of kindness along the way led me here — to a life I once could only imagine, helping others smile with the same confidence I once had to fight for.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not. Starting from the bottom has always meant fighting my way up and creating my own opportunities. To this day, I still face many challenges — but I believe that’s what ownership comes with. I carry that same mentality into both my life and my practice. Although I sometimes feel restless, those challenges have helped me grow and shaped who I am today, and for that, I am deeply grateful.
I believe it’s not what you’re given that defines you, but what you do with what you have. You must be willing to learn from your mistakes, stay observant, and grow by learning from others.
When I decided to establish myself in Missouri, I couldn’t find an existing practice to purchase. The market was predominantly male, and no and I found only one female-owned orthodontic practice in the Kansas City area — but it wasn’t for sale. So, I decided to start from scratch. Building a startup meant going door to door in the community and visiting dental offices. Many doors closed, but some opened, leading to incredible connections and lasting friendships.
In addition, I truly believe women have a unique connection with families — as caretakers, multitaskers, and compassionate leaders. I wanted to create a place that reflects that connection and warmth for the families we serve.
As a woman, I believe we can do it all. That’s the example I want to set for my daughter and for any woman with ambition, no matter her goals. It’s also my way of giving back — to contribute to society in the same way others have supported and believed in me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
The hardest part of ownership is finding the right people to join your team. No one achieves success alone — it’s the collective effort, trust, and heart of a team that make incredible things possible. I feel truly grateful for those who have been with us since the very beginning, believing in our vision and growing alongside the practice. Their loyalty, commitment, and passion have shaped who we are today, and they deserve just as much credit — if not more — for everything we’ve accomplished together.
What are your plans for the future?
At the moment, our primary focus is on continuing to grow and strengthen our two locations in Independence and Odessa, and on deepening our connection with the community. Word of mouth has been the heart of our success — we’ve had the privilege of helping so many families, and we’re excited to continue expanding that impact and making a difference for even more people.
Looking ahead, I’m also inspired by the possibilities for new ventures. One idea I’ve been considering is opening a coffee shop or bakery in the 2,000-square-foot vacant adjacent space at our Independence location — a project that would combine creativity, community, and connection. It’s an exciting vision that I hope to bring to life, adding another way to serve and bring joy to those around us.
Pricing:
- Insurance: We accept all private insurance plans as well as state Medicaid, ensuring that families can access the care they need regardless of their coverage. Treatment Options: Ceramic braces Metal/clear braces Invisalign Whitening treatments Our Approach: We take pride in being conservative with treatment, focusing on effective, individualized care. Many children with severe crowding or small jaw construction have been successfully treated using alternative techniques that avoid traditional expanders. Families and referring dentists love our approach, appreciating not only the results but also the comfort, care, and attention we provide throughout each child’s treatment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.embracefamilyorthodontics.com
- Instagram: @embracefamilyorthodontics
- Facebook: Embrace Orthodontics
- Twitter: (816) 490-7330
- Schedule a lunch and learn at your dental office: email [email protected]
