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Writer's pictureCarl Demadema, BOHSc

Career Guidance: Zinah Al Sayhood - Sales Representative



In the dynamic world of dentistry, professionals often find themselves presented with diverse career opportunities beyond the traditional clinical path. Zinah Al Sayhood, a former dental assistant turned territory sales representative at Hiossen, shares her inspiring journey and valuable insights on navigating a career transition within the dental industry. From her initial role in patient care to her current position facilitating the adoption of cutting-edge dental innovations, Al Sayhood's story will guide young professionals to the wealth of opportunities available to them.


The Evolution: From Dental Assistant to Sales Representative


Zinah Al Sayhood describes her transition as a fulfilling evolution within the dental industry. Her role as a dental assistant provided her with firsthand experience in patient care, understanding dental procedures, and building relationships with patients and professionals. However, her growing fascination with the business aspect of dentistry led her to seek a role that bridged the gap between innovation and practice, ultimately propelling her into a sales position at Hiossen. Al Sayhood emphasizes that this shift was a seamless blend of her passion for patient care, her understanding of clinical aspects, and the desire to facilitate the adoption of cutting-edge dental innovations.


Valuable Insights from Dental Assistant to Sales Representative


Al Sayhood acknowledges the invaluable aspects of her experience as a dental assistant in her current sales role. Her understanding of the daily challenges within a dental practice, gained from her time as a dental assistant, allows her to empathize deeply with the needs of dental professionals. This unique perspective enables her to approach sales by offering tailored solutions to specific challenges, rather than merely pitching products. Al Sayhood emphasizes the importance of speaking the same language as dentists and dental staff, facilitating smoother communication and a better understanding of their needs.


Encouraging Career Diversity in Dentistry


Addressing the traditional notion that dental professionals usually pursue clinical practice, Al Sayhood encourages young dental professionals to explore alternative career paths within the dental industry. She emphasizes the broad scope of the dental field, including avenues such as sales, research, education, product development, and consulting. Al Sayhood's journey is a testament to the opportunities beyond clinical practice.


Key Skills for Transitioning to Sales


Al Sayhood outlines key skills and qualities that dental professionals can leverage when transitioning to a sales role within the dental industry. These include clinical knowledge, critical thinking, attention to detail, and business acumen. She highlights how these skills, honed during clinical practice, can be valuable assets in understanding product specifications, adapting to diverse situations, and driving sales results.


Challenges and Triumphs in Bridging Roles


Transitioning from a clinical background to a sales-focused role presented challenges for Al Sayhood. However, she emphasizes the importance of accepting the shift in role and mindset. By focusing on translating her clinical knowledge into tangible advantages for dental practices, Al Sayhood successfully overcame these challenges. She highlights the shift from direct patient care to providing solutions through products and services, emphasizing the clinical benefits and improvements in patient outcomes and practice efficiency.


Contributions to Dental Practices and Patient Care


In her role as a territory sales representative at Hiossen, Al Sayhood sees herself as a bridge between cutting-edge dental technology and dentists. By helping dentists understand the clinical benefits of Hiossen's products, she believes she is unlocking a new level of patient care for them. Al Sayhood emphasizes how Hiossen's reliable and effective products make her job easier, building trust with customers and contributing to enhanced patient experiences and outcomes.


Supporting Career Growth at Hiossen


Al Sayhood highlights Hiossen's commitment to fostering a supportive work culture that encourages diversity and inclusion. The company offers comprehensive training programs tailored to equip professionals, including dental assistants transitioning to sales roles, with the necessary skills, product knowledge, and industry insights. Regular feedback and performance evaluations contribute to individual growth aligned with company objectives.


Setting Hiossen Apart: Product Quality and Approach


According to Al Sayhood, Hiossen stands out due to the reliability and effectiveness of its products. This, she believes, makes her role as a sales representative more straightforward, as she can confidently communicate the quality and benefits of Hiossen's offerings to customers. This trust, in turn, helps build stronger relationships and instills confidence in customers choosing Hiossen.


Envisioning Future Career Opportunities


Looking ahead, Al Sayhood envisions an exciting future for dental professionals, with diverse career paths beyond traditional clinical practice. The evolving landscape includes opportunities in research, teaching, public health, entrepreneurship, tele-dentistry, and digital health. With advancements in technology and healthcare, dental professionals have a growing array of options to explore based on their interests and skills.


Continuous Learning in Dentistry: A Shared Imperative


Al Sayhood stresses the importance of continuous learning and staying updated with industry trends for professionals in both clinical and sales roles within the dental field. For clinical professionals, ongoing education ensures the delivery of optimal patient outcomes and maintains high standards of care. In sales roles, staying informed about industry trends allows professionals to understand the changing needs of dental practices, effectively communicate the value of products, and build trust with dental professionals.


Zinah Al Sayhood's journey from a dental assistant to a territory sales representative at Hiossen exemplifies the exciting possibilities for career evolution within the dental industry. Her insights provide valuable guidance for young dental professionals considering alternative paths, emphasizing the importance of diverse skills, continuous learning, and seizing growth opportunities. As dentistry continues to evolve, professionals like Al Sayhood pave the way for a dynamic and thriving future in the field.

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