Sara Khraibut, D.D.S., has called Richmond home for the past eleven years. Now, she prepares to complete her periodontics residency and return to her home country of Kuwait with over a decade of experience and knowledge.

It’s a bittersweet feeling for Khraibut, but the start of the next chapter in her career.

“Richmond has been my second home and where I’ve spent most of my adult life,” Khraibut said. “VCU has left such a significant impact on my life and helped shape me into the person I am today.”

Growing up in a large family with diverse professional interests and careers, Khraibut was inspired to find her own niche. She knew she wanted to become a doctor, but she was equally drawn to working with her hands and creating tangible results. Dentistry provided the perfect intersection of those interests, allowing her to combine clinical expertise with craftsmanship and precision.

“I was lucky to grow up with a family that encouraged creativity, and also one that was supportive of my passion for dentistry,” Khraibut said. “That creativity combined with my gravitation towards science made dentistry the perfect fit.”

A connection with a childhood dentist ended up being a catalyst for the rest of Khraibut’s career. After expressing to her dentist her interest in pursuing dentistry, Khraibut was introduced to the idea of attending Virginia Commonwealth University. Her dentist had previously attended VCU for undergraduate studies and for dental school, a trajectory that Khraibut herself would soon partake in.

“She made me realize that dentistry goes far beyond addressing a chief complaint,” said Khraibut. “What stood out to me was the way she interacted with her patients. She paid attention to the small details that made people feel comfortable, heard, and cared for. Coming from Kuwait, that was something I had not seen emphasized to the same extent before. Watching her practice showed me how much of dentistry is built on trust and human connection. That was one of the moments that convinced me VCU had something special to offer.”

VCU School of Dentistry has welcomed students from Kuwait to receive a dental education in the United States since 1995. The partnership has produced over 100 graduates who have practiced in the United States or internationally, and has created a tight-knit community both in Richmond and beyond. Not only is it an opportunity for Kuwaiti students to receive an education in the US, but an incredible opportunity for VCU SoD students to learn from them and engage with their culture.

“When you go back and practice in Kuwait, you get to see and work with dentists who graduated from different institutions all over the world,” Khraibut said. “But the graduates from VCU have clinical standards that are unparalleled. The healthcare that is rendered here is reflected in clinical requirements and clinical and didactic courses that are truly above the rest.”

During her time at VCU as both an undergraduate and dental student, Khraibut formed close relationships and grew significantly as a person and clinician. When it came time to decide the next step in her career, she found herself considering residencies. Although she considered other specialties, periodontics appealed to her for its emphasis on detail and creativity.

According to Khraibut, periodontics appealed to her because it brought together everything she enjoyed about dentistry. It required the precision of a surgeon, the eye of an artist, and the ability to think prosthetically, always keeping the final restoration in mind.

“It brought me back to my artistic roots,” Khraibut said. “It’s not a one-dimensional specialty, it’s a very detail-oriented and meticulous form of surgery and that was exactly what I was looking for.”

Due to the small size of their cohorts and the significant amount of time that they spend learning, studying, and treating patients, the periodontics residents form close bonds that often last for a lifetime. Khraibut pinpointed these relationships as not only an anchor, but her favorite part of the three-year program. She also described the close mentorship with the periodontics faculty as a particularly meaningful experience.

“What’s beautiful about periodontics is that you have one diagnosis, but you can have different ways of treatment,” Khraibut said. “It’s fun to work with different faculty and see the different ways to approach treatment and different approaches.”

Rafael Siqueira, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., serves as director of the periodontics graduate program. Khraibut connected with Siqueira over a shared passion for dental photography. Siqueira highlighted her work ethic and commitment to clinical excellence as making her an incredible and capable periodontist.

“Dr. Khraibut quickly bloomed into a confident and capable clinician who was never afraid to face challenges or complex situations,” said Siqueira. “Instead, she prepared thoroughly for each case, remained resourceful, and approached treatment with intricacy and thoughtfulness. Her dedication to excellence consistently elevated the learning and clinical experience for everyone around her. Her dental photography is among the best I have seen and serves as an excellent reflection of her growth, exceptional attention to details and unwavering drive for excellence.”

Upon returning to Kuwait, Khraibut will be working for the Ministry of Health as a periodontist in a dental specialty center There, she will work as part of a multi-speciality team alongside prosthodontists, endodontists, orthodontists, and oral surgeons as well as other dental specialists to provide comprehensive care for patients. She has committed three years to the Ministry of Health, and also intends on working in private practice in Kuwait City.

As she packs up her life in Richmond and prepares to move to Kuwait, she also brings with her years of knowledge and experience, and the same passion for dentistry that she saw in her own dentist as a child in Kuwait that inspired her down her path. It’s a full-circle moment for Khraibut, and a testament to the importance of mentorship and commitment.

“I would tell anyone considering this path to keep going, even when things don't unfold exactly as planned,” Khraibut said. “The journey isn't always linear, and that's the beauty of it. Some days feel incredibly long, but before you know it, years have passed. Looking back, it's hard to believe that 11 years have gone by. It feels like yesterday that I was starting dental school. Stay determined, trust yourself, and enjoy the process, because the challenges along the way often become the most meaningful parts of the journey.”