Dr. Mohini Patel, DMD, clinical director and her husband, Jigar Patel, CEO, opened Aspiring Smiles Dental & Braces in 2023 with the vision of offering Summerlin residents a high-quality dental care experience. The practice’s relaxed, comfortable environment puts clients of all ages at ease. Dr. Mohini Patel and her staff provide a wide range of services using state-of-the-art equipment, including general dentistry, cosmetic procedures, emergency care, endodontics, oral surgery and orthodontics.
Q. What sets Aspiring Smiles Dental & Braces apart from other dental clinics in Las Vegas?
Jigar Patel: Aspiring Smiles Dental & Braces isn’t just another dental office. We aim to redefine the overall dental experience for our patients. We’re a family-led practice committed to delivering exceptional dental care in Summerlin and the Las Vegas Valley. Our modern practice is built on a foundation of education, transparency and personalized care. We go beyond clinical excellence by offering patients in-depth guidance on insurance and financial options — empowering them to make informed decisions with confidence. This level of support is complimentary when working with us and is a rare find in the Las Vegas Valley.
Q. What led you to open Aspiring Smiles?
Jigar Patel: We started Aspiring Smiles because we wanted to build something truly meaningful — something far beyond just another dental office in Las Vegas. My background is in cancer diagnostics research, and over the years, I’ve successfully launched and managed several businesses, including ventures in e-commerce. I’ve always been passionate about creating systems that are efficient, transparent and built to last. That financial and operational mindset allowed us to develop a practice that’s not only clinically strong, but also scalable, sustainable and built with long-term vision.
Dr. Mohini Patel brings years of hands-on dental experience from working in practices across the U.S., Canada, Haiti and India. Together, we set out to deliver a dental experience that blends high-quality care with honesty, compassion and the kind of transparency patients rarely find in larger corporate-run clinics.
We saw Las Vegas as the ideal place to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives while creating a replicable, values-driven dental model. Our clinic in Summerlin is designed around both outstanding patient care and a workplace culture that truly supports its team. By combining clinical excellence with authentic human connection, we’ve built a practice where every patient is treated like an individual — not a number.
This vision came to life by creating an environment where both patients and staff feel heard, valued and respected. Las Vegas, and especially Summerlin, deserved a dental practice that prioritizes comprehensive care, innovation and long-term relationships. That’s what we’ve built at Aspiring Smiles Dental & Braces.
Q. Why the name? Is there a story behind Aspiring Smiles?
Jigar Patel: The name Aspiring Smiles embodies our mission: To help our patients aspire toward their best health and confidence through a healthy, beautiful smile. It symbolizes progress and transformation, not just cosmetically but emotionally and personally. Every smile we restore or enhance in our dental office is part of a bigger journey of self-assurance. We are proud to play a small but impactful role in that process for our community.
Q. Tell us about the cosmetic dental services you offer at your location. In your opinion, why are they important?
Dr. Mohini Patel: At our office, cosmetic dentistry is more than aesthetics. It’s about restoring confidence and self-esteem for our clients. We offer comprehensive cosmetic dental services such as porcelain veneers, dental bonding, professional teeth whitening, clear aligners and complete smile makeovers.
We’ve recently expanded our services to include implant dentistry, offering options such as single-tooth implants and implant-supported bridges/dentures.
I’m passionate about cosmetic dentistry. As an artist by hobby, I enjoy bringing my artistry to dentistry, enhancing people’s smiles. For many of our patients, improving their smiles is life-changing. We treat each case as a custom work of art, combining function, beauty and long-term dental health. Our approach to cosmetic dentistry ensures results that are not only stunning but also sustainable, whether patients are seeking minor enhancements or complete transformations.
Q. Why did you choose Las Vegas to open your clinic?
Jigar Patel: Before relocating to Las Vegas, we lived in San Diego, where I worked at a globally recognized leader in life sciences and diagnostics, and Dr. Patel practiced dentistry within a large dental service organization (DSO). Although we had well-established careers in California, we were inspired to move by Las Vegas’s vibrant energy, cultural diversity and remarkable growth potential.
Las Vegas, particularly the Summerlin area, presented the perfect opportunity to build a dental clinic from the ground up in a community that deserved high-quality dental care with a personal touch. We saw tremendous potential to apply my scientific research background and Mohini’s clinical expertise in a market primed for innovation in dental services. We are proud to call this city home and are deeply invested in serving Las Vegas families, professionals and future generations.
Q. Please give a brief history of Aspiring Smiles. When did it open and how did it evolve?
Jigar Patel: Aspiring Smiles opened its doors in 2023 as a part-time clinic, initially operating two days a week. Within months, the community’s response exceeded all expectations. In 2024, we transitioned into a full-time operation, fueled by rapid patient growth and word-of-mouth referrals throughout Summerlin and the greater Las Vegas.
In under two years, we’ve proudly served nearly 3,000 patients — testament to the trust and support we’ve received from families across Las Vegas. With over 400 five-star Google reviews, we’re proud to be recognized for the consistent, high-quality care our team delivers every day. Today, our 10-member team works tirelessly to ensure every patient receives personalized, compassionate treatment.
Q. What inspired you to pursue dentistry?
Dr. Mohini Patel: My journey into dentistry began as a teenager when I volunteered in underserved communities. I used to go on mission trips to Haiti, where I witnessed life-changing situations that inspired me.
The ability to relieve pain and restore smiles sparked a lifelong passion for comprehensive dental care. I earned my degree in 2012-2013 and have practiced extensively across India in hospitals and pediatrics. I wanted additional education and experience, so I moved to Canada and eventually to the United States, where I was accepted to the Southern Illinois University of School of Dental Medicine. I was fortunate to get in the first attempt. The competition is tough, as it only chooses six international students yearly. After finishing my degree, I moved to San Diego, where I met Jigar.
My international experience exposed me to different dentistry and patient care approaches and gave me invaluable insights into various dental health care systems.
Q. What roles do you each play in the business?
Jigar Patel: Mohini leads all the clinical operations at our practice, handling everything from comprehensive treatment planning to providing direct patient care.
As CEO of the practice, I lead our business operations, growth planning, compliance efforts, team development and technology integration. With a strong analytical background and a focus on strategic execution, I work to ensure the clinic operates smoothly while scaling in a thoughtful, sustainable way to better serve our growing community.
Together, we are a husband-and-wife team working harmoniously to build a dental practice that is equally clinically sound and emotionally rewarding for patients and staff.
Q. I understand that giving back to the community is essential to you. What do you plan to do?
Dr. Mohini Patel: I come from a family that always gives back. My grandfather started nonprofits in India to provide medical services for people who couldn’t afford them. I want to carry on my family’s legacy, so our long-term goal is to start a nonprofit to serve the underserved. I want to use our skills to give back and provide access to dentistry to those who can’t afford it.
Q. Your practice has grown tremendously within a few years. Where would you like to see your practice grow in the future?
Jigar Patel: We want to expand in the next one to three years and add more locations to the Las Vegas Valley. We plan to replicate what we have established at this clinic, offering all the same services.
