Dr. Ramya Rao, a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist, a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, is a strong believer in the importance of relationships: the connection between oral and whole-body health, the interplay of art and science in dentistry, and the lasting relationships she makes with her patients and their families. Plus, she loves working with kids because, in her words, they make everything so fun! Needless to say, she found a perfect vocation for herself and has true passion for her work.

Dr. Rao earned her DMD from the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 2012 after completing her undergraduate education at the University of Pennsylvania. While at Tufts, she was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon (the National Dental Honor Society) and awarded the Gentle Dental Senior Endowed Prize Fund for Exceptional Chairside Manner, among other prestigious honors. Before joining CPDA in 2015, she completed a two-year residency program at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Department of Medicine in New York City.

Originally from Niles, Michigan, Dr. Rao now lives in Newton with her husband and three children. She has come to love the Cambridge community and getting to know so many local families. She particularly enjoys helping educate parents and kids about good oral hygiene and preventive care and transforming what could be a scary experience for a child into an enjoyable one. For her, being able to instill positive attitudes toward oral health in her patients from a young age is something she’s proud of. Dr. Rao feels fortunate to work with a group of colleagues she continually learns from and where teamwork and creating a positive patient experience are the top priorities.

Dr. Rao is the Northeast Regional Director of the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She is also a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and the Massachusetts Dental Society. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, tennis, exploring New England, traveling, and spending time with family, and friends. She is fluent in Kannada, a South Indian language.