Her Story
About Sophia
Sophia Salazar is an accomplished dental operations executive with more than 25 years of experience in the dental industry, specializing in multi-site operations, strategic growth, and organizational leadership. She currently serves as Chief Operating Officer at Suave Dental, where she leads operational strategy, strengthens organizational alignment, and develops scalable systems to support sustainable growth. Sophia began her career in 1999 as a front desk receptionist at Western Dental and quickly advanced to office manager within her first year. Through dedication, strong performance, and a commitment to continuous improvement, she progressed through increasingly senior leadership positions, including Director of Operations, Senior Director of Operations, and Vice President of Operations.
Throughout her career, Sophia has demonstrated an exceptional ability to improve operational performance, develop leaders, and drive financial growth across large dental organizations. At Western Dental & Orthodontics, she oversaw operations across multiple locations, implemented performance management systems, and led initiatives that improved profitability, productivity, and patient experiences. As Northern California Vice President of Operations, she helped turn around 14 of 16 underperforming offices within four months. She later served as National Vice President of Specialty at Sonrava Health, where she led growth strategies across more than 600 offices in 20 states, contributing to a 19% increase in initiative performance and revenue contribution. Her achievements include receiving the Chairman Award and the Outstanding Regional Leadership Award in 2018. She holds a bachelor's degree in Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services from the University of Phoenix.
As Chief Operating Officer at Suave Dental, Sophia is focused on strengthening operational efficiency, expanding service offerings, and building the infrastructure needed for long-term organizational growth. Her leadership philosophy centers on accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and cultivating a workplace where employees feel respected, supported, and motivated to succeed. She considers building meaningful relationships with her team one of her most rewarding professional accomplishments, recognizing that a strong organizational culture is essential to sustained success. Sophia also values professional networking and leadership development, as reflected in her participation in Women in DSO, where she connects with other leaders and exchanges ideas to advance the dental industry. Through her experience, people-centered leadership, and commitment to operational excellence, she continues to contribute to the growth of dental organizations while supporting better experiences for both employees and patients.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sophia
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to ambition, resilience, hard work, and building meaningful relationships with my team. Throughout my career in the dental industry, I have embraced new challenges, grown through different leadership roles, and helped transform underperforming regions into highly profitable operations. However, my proudest achievement is creating a respectful, motivated workplace where people feel valued and supported. I believe success comes from leading with purpose, building strong relationships, and having the courage to step outside my comfort zone, even when starting something new feels intimidating.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women is to embrace fear and see it as a sign of growth. Starting something new can be uncomfortable, but those butterflies in your stomach often mean you are stepping outside your comfort zone and moving closer to your goals. Take opportunities even when they seem scary, and do not let the fear of being judged hold you back. Mistakes are part of learning, so have the courage to take risks, trust yourself, and keep moving forward. Growth happens when you challenge yourself, take that leap of faith, and refuse to let comfort limit your potential.
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