Doctor Spotlight: Meet Dr. Sarah Malek
In her youth, Dr. Sarah Malek dreamed of being a dancer, although she says “I absolutely can’t dance.” Her future took a turn for the science route, rather than the arts. She couldn't be more happy that it did, as she absolutely loves being an orthodontist.
Dr. Malek earned her Dental Degree from McGill University, where she received numerous awards for both clinical and academic achievement including recognition of excellence from the American Association of Orthodontists. She then completed a one-year hospital residency in Connecticut before graduating from the University of Toronto with her Masters and Specialty degree in Orthodontics.
Now, Dr. Malek is serving the smiles of Scarborough providing braces and InvisalignⓇ treatment at docbraces Scarborough.
She loves how orthodontics combines physics, biology and patient care. She says, “being able to transform someone’s smile and see how happy that makes them is very rewarding.”
Dr. Malek’s Orthodontic Treatment Philosophy
In terms of patient-care and treatment philosophy, Dr. Malek likes to put herself in the shoes of patients and think, “what would I do if this was my child?” This helps her to find the best treatment plan for each individual patient's needs. She leads by caring; looking to Theodore Roosevelt’s words to inspire how she cares for patients, he famously said, “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
This idea carries over into how she feels about teamwork as well. Sharing that, “successful teamwork means putting aside your pride and being willing to do whatever it takes to do what is best for the patient and the team,” Dr. Malek is a prime example of a real team player. She likes to keep the workspace in the orthodontic clinic light and friendly, and enjoys telling jokes to both her team and her patients. Creating a safe and fun environment is of the utmost importance in her eyes.
Outside of the docbraces Scarborough orthodontic clinic
Beyond transforming smiles with braces and Invisalign, Dr. Malek is also a mother. She shared that she is most proud of her children. Another proud moment of her’s was when she received the University of Toronto Teacher of the Year award in 2022, this meant the world to her.
Dr. Malek is also previous staff at the Hospital for Sick Children, where she focused on the treatment of patients with cleft lip and palate and children with various syndromes. Her research has been published in multiple peer reviewed journals. She is also an active member of many continuing education groups and associations including the Ontario Association of Orthodontists and the American Association of Orthodontists.
Filling her cup by giving back
It seems that being an empathetic person is not just her motto at work, but also in life. She is inspired by Maya Angelou’s famous quote, “people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” She seeks to leave a positive mark on the lives of those around her, and she does this successfully. As she spent a lot of her youth and young adult years volunteering for at-risk children and youth programs, and now she volunteers with various international groups on dental missions. Giving back is something that fills her cup.
Start Your Braces or Invisalign Smile Journey with Dr. Malek in Scarborough
Book a consultation for braces or Invisalign with Dr. Malek at docbraces Scarborough.
