Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Principal dentists and co-owners of Perth’s Serene Smiles, the mother and daughter team Dr Mitra Shabanian and Dr Parnian Zareie have unconditional trust in each other. By Frank Leggett
There’s no such thing as a typical mother-daughter relationship. Some are destined to butt heads for their entire lives and some, like Dr Mitra Shabanian and Dr Parnian Zareie, are a picture of harmony.
Their decision to become co-owners in Perth’s Serene Smiles clinic was an easy one. Dr Shabanian had decades’ experience in dentistry, while Dr Zareie aspired to become a dentist since her teenage years and was an enthusiastic recent graduate. Together they set up their practice from scratch, grew their client base, employed a third dentist, all to provide a high-quality dental clinic—and, they insist, without a harsh word or a raised voice!
Dr Mitra Shabanian
“I’m from Iran and graduated from the University of Isfahan in 1992. I first came to Australia when I was seven months pregnant with Parnian so my husband could complete his biotechnology master’s in Sydney. We also spent time in Adelaide, returned to Iran for a few years and then settled in Perth in 2008.
“When Parnian was 15, she worked as a receptionist in the clinic where I worked. It was during this time that she decided to become a dentist. I didn’t push her; she came to the decision completely on her own. Her ATAR results were excellent, and she was accepted to UWA to study medicine or dentistry—and dentistry won out.
“After graduation, Parnian worked in private practices around Perth but wasn’t particularly happy. I suggested we start a clinic together, confident we could make it work. Parnian and I share common values in terms of dentistry, patient care, and quality of service. Our personalities are similar, and I also thought it would be fantastic to have a multi-generation clinic. I have decades of experience and Parnian is enthusiastic about new technology and techniques.
“We started Serene Smiles from scratch in 2022. The business grew quickly, and we work well together. I’m a more conservative dentist while Parnian works quickly and efficiently. She has been instrumental in incorporating digital technology and systems into our business. While she learns and benefits from my experience, the opposite is also true—I have learned much from Parnian.
“We sometimes have a difference of opinion, but it’s always resolved in a peaceful manner. Our skill sets are different and that’s a strength of our working relationship. Parnian loves surgery, implant work and Invisalign.
I like check-ups, restorations and general dentistry for our older clients.
Mum brings decades of experience to our clinic. She has seen things change and evolve and she knows what does and doesn’t work. As a relatively new dentist, I enjoy modern dentistry, equipment and techniques.
Dr Parnian Zareie, co-owner, Serene Smiles
“I have complete trust in Parnian as a business partner, something that can often be missing between non-family members. She looks after all the accounting and I’m more than happy about that. Administrative work would take me hours but Parnian gets it done in 10 minutes. I feel a little spoiled in that regard.
“Our business relationship works because we share the same values and trust each other. We’re supportive whenever the other person needs help, advice or reassurance. And we both have a tonne of patience. Working with my daughter has brought us closer together. I’m so happy with our situation that I can’t even imagine doing this with a stranger.”
Dr Parnian Zareie
“After graduating from the University of Western Australia in 2018, I worked in the country for a year and in a couple of practices in the Perth metro area. I couldn’t seem to find a place where I fitted in and hated having management decisions out of my control. Mum first suggested we start a clinic together just after I graduated. At that time, I didn’t want the stress of practice ownership but, a few years later, the idea of a business with mum became much more attractive. I was certain we could make it a success.
“We looked at buying an existing practice but couldn’t find what we wanted. We knew that setting up Serene Smiles from scratch was risky, but we were also quietly confident. Initially, we both kept our existing jobs for a couple of days a week, but the business grew fast enough for us to go full-time in short order. I went from a part-time dental receptionist at 15 to a practice owner at 29.
“I enjoy working with mum. If we have a difference of opinion, we’re both fine with airing it out and finding a resolution. There’s absolutely no need to tiptoe around each other.
“Mum brings decades of experience to our clinic. She has seen things change and evolve and she knows what does and doesn’t work. As a relatively new dentist, I enjoy modern dentistry, equipment and techniques. I tend to undertake the more complex procedures in our clinic whereas mum embraces everyday dentistry. Clients love the fact that we are a mother-and-daughter team. It’s actually very good branding that differentiates us from other practices and the corporates.
“The best thing about working with mum is our openness. We’re comfortable around each other and nothing is off-limits. And if I’ve had a really tough day, I can have a cry and she’ll comfort me. There’s a level of trust between us that isn’t possible between purely business partners.
“Anyone considering working with a parent needs to go into it with their eyes open. It’s probably not suitable for everyone. They need to be secure in their relationship and understand they will be spending a lot of time together. It works for us because we’re so similar, share values and like each other. Unfortunately, not all mothers and daughters can say that.”
