Dr. Lila Popa DDS
Dr. Lila Popa DDS
40 Under 40' 2023
Age: 38
Company Name: Dundarave Dental
Position in the company: Owner
Bio: Dr. Lila Popa is a modern day polymath holding multiple degrees. While studying to get her dental licence she founded a donation based yoga studio in the heart of downtown Vancouver that became a community staple for over a decade.
Immediately after getting her dental licence, she went back to university and became a specialist in Oral Implantology and Bone Augmentation. Today she is the owner of an established dental practice caring for families over multiple generations. Her dental shop is filled with beautiful plants and stunning murals creating a tranquil environment where her patients feel conformable and relaxed. By designing an environment that facilitates rather than discourages the therapeutic encounter, Dr. Popa is elevating the standard of care.
Her passion for the last few years has been optimal health, performance and nutrition. As a result she decided to go back to the books yet again and study what she loves most. Three years later, she is now a certified Functional Medicine practitioner and is advancing the field of Functional Dentistry with the aim to redefine oral health and introduce a new framework for a heathy oral microbiome.
The functional dentistry model is catered on optimizing the individual’s health based on their unique personal life style, genetics and environment. The mission is to inspire long term thinking and a positive mindset when it comes to ones health and longevity. When working with a functional dentist, the focus is not just on oral hygiene and nutrition, but emphasizing mental hygiene as well.
You’ll frequently hear Dr. Popa discussing mental and emotional states, quality of sleep, diet, supplementations and physical activity with her patients. This allows her to understand and optimize her treatment plan according to each unique patient.
Dr. Popa’s patient care is focused on supporting the whole body while providing oral therapy. Whether she’s placing zirconia implants to restore function or relieving TMJ pain with acupuncture techniques, she makes a point to ensure the rest of the body is optimized for recovery.
Using relaxation methods and breathing techniques with her patients helps them move into a more relaxed, parasympathetic state of mind. Reducing cortisol and calming the mind while receiving oral therapy is beneficial for a healthy oral biome. (and relationship with your dentist).
What can you expect from a functional dentist like Dr. Popa? A unique and personalized treatment plan that takes in consideration the whole entirety of the body before, during and after a therapeutic encounter. The use of biocompatible materials and techniques to support all the systems in the body with minimal toxic burden. All set in a soothing and calm atmosphere to facilitate deep relaxation. Dr. Popa is an experienced leader in her field introducing functional dentistry to the west coast of BC and reframing dental care as we know it.
Website URL: https://www.dundarave.dental/
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