Meet Dr. Aparna Menon

Dr. Aparna Menon was raised in India in a family that placed education above everything else. Her mother and aunt, both physicians, showed her from an early age that women could build independent, meaningful careers in a society that gives males preferential treatment. Those lessons stayed with her. In her household, education was considered the one thing in life that truly belongs to you.

Dentistry wasn't a prominent part of life in India when Dr. Menon was growing up. As she got older, she noticed the gap and felt drawn to fill it. With no dentists in her family and a clear need for more attention to oral health, she found her path. Her academic performance was strong enough to open the doors to top universities across the country, and she earned her Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree from Manipal University.

That achievement led to an opportunity to continue her education in the United States. She went on to study at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, formerly known as the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), where she earned a place on the dean's honor list for two consecutive years. She graduated in 2015 and completed a yearlong residency at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, New Jersey.

Dr. Menon believes that no two patients are alike, and she approaches every treatment plan with that in mind. She takes the time to understand each person's goals and concerns before recommending a course of action. For patients who feel anxious about dental visits, she offers sedation dentistry to make the experience as comfortable as possible. She also pursues continuing education credits regularly to stay current with the latest developments in the field.

Dr. Menon has since built an impressive foundation of advanced training. She holds fellowships from both the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI) and the American Academy of Implant Prosthodontics (AAIP), reflecting her deep expertise in dental implantology and cosmetic dentistry. She remains active in the dental community through memberships in several professional organizations:

• The American Dental Association (ADA)
• The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD)
• The New Jersey Dental Association (NJDA)
• The Monmouth-Ocean County Dental Society (M-OCDS)
• International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI)
• American Academy of Implant Prosthodontics (AAIP)

Dr. Menon's Belief in Karma & Living a Good Life

Outside the dental chair, Dr. Menon leads a full and varied life. She serves as a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserves and is an avid runner who has completed both half marathons and full marathons. She speaks three languages — English, Hindi, and Malayalam — and enjoys cooking, traveling, and reading in her downtime. Her favorite moments, though, are the ones spent with her husband, Rajive, and their son, Shaan.

At the heart of everything Dr. Menon does is a belief in karma. She is convinced that treating people with honesty and genuine care is the right way to move through the world, as the good you put out there has a way of coming back to you.