Becoming Dr. Irena - My Path to Dentistry from Childhood Aspirations
- Irena Mota
- Sep 8
- 3 min read
Most of you won’t know this, but I’m a twin! Yes, I have a beautiful - if I do say so myself - sister who is exactly 10 minutes older than I am.
We were born in Ukraine to parents who didn’t just work in medicine but lived and breathed it every day. My dad, a cardiac surgeon, and my mom, an ophthalmologist, showed us that caring for others wasn’t just a job but a purpose.
Some of my fondest memories are of my sister and me visiting my dad’s practice and being able to watch surgeries - live! At the young age of 10, I spent time in the OR with him. After school, my sister, Ola, and I would walk to my mom’s clinic, and while we waited for her to finish seeing patients, we’d play with the ophthalmology equipment in between appointments. The ‘eye machine’ was our favourite - what great memories.
Me and my sister, Ola. Can you guess which one is me?
In 1998, our family moved to Canada. My sister and I have been very fortunate to have strong and determined parents who instilled in us a sense of pride and commitment and to apply this in everything we do.
I’m not sure if it was a family legacy in medicine, a deep-rooted desire to improve lives, or simply a fascination with the beauty of a healthy smile, but something about dentistry drew me in and never let go.
It still took many years before “Dr.” was added to my name tag. I first became a dental assistant - and I loved that job. I worked with a great dentist who taught me foundational skills and was always inclusive. They had a great sense of humour and always made work fun. Then I became a hygienist and spent over a decade making teeth shine while educating patients that a healthy smile starts with healthy gums. No wonder I love smiles so much!
In between raising two awesome kids, a busy life, and a career as a hygienist, the years flew by—but my dream of becoming a dentist still had a large place in my heart.
In 2016, I went back to UBC Dentistry to study dentistry. I made great memories and meaningful friendships with like-minded dentists-to-be.
I attribute my unforgettable experience to the professors and UBC. My absolute favourite teacher was Dr. Mathias Schede. He was a foreign-trained dentist (originally from Germany). I loved when he shared stories of his experience abroad and how he successfully juggled his practice while navigating dentistry and business all on his own.
Back when Dr. Schede was a dentist, lab techs and hygienists were not the norm. A dentist was responsible for everything—from molds to cleanings to surgery. I can’t imagine the workload. Thankfully, I’ve got an awesome team keeping the Smile Back engine running. But sometimes, on the very long days, I think of Dr. Schede and how the lessons in school were not just about the craft, but about the bigger picture.
Four years later, I graduated. I received an award in pediatric dentistry
because I love working with kids and was encouraged to pursue a residency specializing in children's dental care; however, I didn’t want to limit my scope of practice as I love helping smiles of all ages.
One year ago, I made a bold move, much like my family’s trek across the world all those years ago from Ukraine to Canada and took over Dr. Diane Bird’s practice. As Dr. Bird was exiting the world of dentistry after 30 great years, my journey was just beginning. And just like that, Smile Back Dental was born!
As we approach our first anniversary as Smile Back, I’m filled with gratitude and excitement. This past year has been about more than just dentistry, it’s been about building trust, creating connections with the community and patients, and helping our
community smile back a little brighter.
Looking ahead, our team is committed to a lifetime of care, ensuring every patient feels seen, heard, and confident in their smile, whether it’s cleaning, straightening, or maintenance. At Smile Back Dental, we take smiles seriously but we’re always playful about the journey. Because overall health includes joy and laughter just as much as clean teeth and healthy gums.
Here’s to many more years of smiles. Thank you for being part of our story.
Dr. Irena Mota
Amazing story, loved reading it and found it inspiring. You are an amazing person and happy to have a dentist with such a rich background as you.
So amazing post, very inspiring, thank you for sharing.