Smile Architect with Many Hats: Dr Thomas Nechupadam’s Multifaceted Journey

Dr Thomas Nechupadam, a master of aesthetic and cosmetic dentistry, seamlessly balances multiple roles as a smile mender, accomplished entrepreneur, and emerging author. His expertise extends beyond dentistry to entrepreneurship, mentoring beauty queens for national pageants, and delving into innovative pursuits, including the realm of writing.

A Chip Off the Old Block

Dr Thomas is the illustrious son of Dr K T Paulose, a dental surgeon par excellence who is the torchbearer of the Nechupadam brand. All his three siblings are dental surgeons who are following in the footsteps of their dad. While his father is based in Kolenchery, Dr Thomas runs the Dr Nechupadam Dental Clinic in Marine Drive, Kochi, where he dons the roles of Appearance Expert, Orthodontist, Dentofacial Orthopaedician, and Implantologist. He bagged his dental degree from Mangalore University in 2000 and did his master’s in Orthodontics from Rajiv Gandhi University in Bengaluru. Dr Thomas also underwent endodontic training under Dr Omar Zidan of Minnesota University in the United States.

While Dr Thomas specializes in straightening teeth and perfecting smiles, his entrepreneurial spirit thrives on his passion for innovation. His journey into entrepreneurship has been marked by challenges, requiring him to navigate the intricate processes of learning, unlearning, and relearning. Through perseverance and a drive for diversification, he has successfully added numerous achievements to his portfolio.

Mission Startups

He has invested time and dimes in numerous sustainable eco-friendly startups like Enerz, EcDenntistry, Payspoon, Learnstroke, Pet’M and many more. He is an advisor and mentor for startups to fend the initial bootstrap time efficiently. Interestingly, his clinic has a well-decorated meeting room that is effectively used for startup pitches, investor meetings, and reviews. The companies that come under his purview are diverse–from fintech like Payspoon and AI-based Dental software ECDentistry to millet-based pet food Pet’M and solar-powered transport system in Enerz.

ECDentistry & Enerz

This application is an effort of two brilliant youngsters Dr Ajai and Dr Prince mentored by Dr Thomas to build a learning platform for dental students and dentists alike. The power of Artificial Intelligence is used to simplify learning the different subjects of dentistry in an interactive and fun way. On the other hand, Enerz is an ambitious project to harness solar power to propel future transportation in a smart secure, and reliable way.

Maybe the fact that he hails from Kolenchery could be one of the reasons behind his entrepreneurial pursuit as the hamlet is known for its contractors, industrialists, and business houses. The business acumen and the quest for new horizons have always taken him to numerous business ventures he has founded, cofounded or catalysed. Dr Thomas and his better half, Dr Nithia Sara Thomas, made their mark on corporate grooming, appearance facelifts, and organic farming in the entrepreneurial journey.

Crafting Beauty and Elegance

Dr Thomas Nechupadam is among the rare few doctors deeply involved in the world of beauty pageants. Just as he masterfully mends teeth and perfects smiles, he excels in grooming beauty pageant participants. From teaching the art of a heart-winning smile to guiding contestants on posing gracefully for the cameras, he combines his expertise in adult orthodontics and clear aligner therapy to refine their overall appearance. Since 2011, Dr Thomas has been a trusted groomer for numerous national pageants and has also served as the director of the Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry. As the sub-title committee chairman for prestigious beauty contests like Miss Queen of India, Miss South India, and Miss Asia, he meticulously judged the Miss Beautiful Smile category, recognizing the contestant with the most dazzling smile. A staunch supporter of Pegasus Events, he passionately promotes excellence in fashion and pageantry.

The Media-Savvy Doctor

Dr Thomas Nechupadam is a familiar presence on TV Channels like Asianet, Kairali TV, and Jaihind to name a few. He appears before the camera to educate the public on dentistry and oral hygiene. His idea is to reposition dental treatment as a tool to save and beautify natural teeth rather than to replace them. When the social media revolution gained momentum, he shifted his focus in 2010 to online platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. He harnesses the power of social media to publish videos to educate people on advanced dental care and various treatment modalities. His Palludoctor Instagram page has 92.8k followers. He also offers dental insights through his Wikidontist channel on YouTube.

Venturing into the Literary World

Despite his demanding schedule, Dr Thomas Nechupadam dedicates time to writing blogs, newspaper articles, and social media posts. Passionate about making a meaningful impact through words, he is compiling insights from his professional journey to educate readers, share oral care tips, and outline various treatment options. His forthcoming book, My Experiments with Tooth, is set to debut soon.

Family

Dr Thomas is the eldest son of Dr Paulose, who was the first private practicing Orthodontist in Kerala and the founder of the Nechupadam Dental Clinic way back in 1965. His pillar of strength, Dr Nithia, is the Chief Dental Surgeon at Dr Nechupadam Dental Clinic at Marine Drive. The power couple is blessed with three children—Nissi, Nidhi, and Noah who are poised to take forward the illustrious legacy of the Nechupadam family.

Nurturing Connections and Collaboration

Dr Thomas Nechupadam has established his prowess across various networking platforms, including the Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Young Indians, and the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce, among others. Serving on the Executive Committee of MOSC Medical College and Hospital in Kolenchery, he continues to pursue entrepreneurial excellence through strategic collaboration and innovative development.

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