Dr. Zarina Rasheed

So nice to meet you! First off, what’s your name? Tell our readers a bit about yourself—where you’re from originally and where you live now.

My name is Dr. Zarina Rasheed, and I’m a board-certified pediatric dentist and the owner of Z Pediatric Dentistry in the Houston and Pearland area. I was born in Longview, Texas, and now call Houston home, where I’ve built my practice, raised my family, and found so many opportunities to serve my community.

I’ve spent my career helping children feel comfortable, confident, and cared for in the dental chair. Beyond dentistry, I’m a wife, a mother of two, and an advocate for children living with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a rare genetic condition that causes bones to be fragile. My son Imran has OI, and our family’s journey has profoundly shaped how I see the world, both personally and professionally.

That experience has taught me so much about resilience, perspective, and the importance of community. My life hasn’t always followed the path I imagined, but I’ve learned that some of the most meaningful things we build come from navigating the unexpected with purpose and continuing to show up for the people who need us. At the heart of everything I do, whether in my practice or in my advocacy, is a desire to make a difference in the lives of children and families.

Tell us one thing you love about where you live now.

One thing I love about Houston is the sense of community and the opportunity to make a difference. It’s a city with so much diversity, ambition, and heart, and I’ve been able to build a business, raise my family, and give back to causes that are deeply meaningful to me all in one place. I love that Houston has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally while staying connected to the people and community around me.

Tell us a little more about what your company does and how it started. How does it help your customers?

Z Pediatric Dentistry was born out of my passion for working with children and my belief that a visit to the dentist should be a positive, comfortable experience—not something a child fears. As a pediatric dentist, I wanted to create a practice where children feel safe, parents feel heard, and every family is treated with compassion and individualized care.

I opened my practice while I was pregnant with my son, Imran, so the early years of building a business and growing my family happened side by side. Like many small business owners, I had no idea how much life would challenge me along the way, but my commitment to creating something meaningful never changed.

Today, Z Pediatric Dentistry provides comprehensive pediatric dental care, from a child's very first dental visit to preventive care, restorative treatment, and specialized procedures such as laser dentistry and tongue- and lip-tie releases. We focus on making treatment as comfortable as possible, using technology like dental lasers that can reduce the need for traditional injections and make certain procedures less intimidating for children.

Ultimately, I want families to feel that they have found more than a dental office. I want them to feel that they have found a team they can trust—one that understands each child is different, takes the time to listen, and genuinely cares about their well-being. For me, the greatest measure of success is knowing that we’ve helped a child develop a positive relationship with dental care that can last a lifetime.

If someone wants to start a business, what advice would you give them?

My biggest piece of advice is to be clear about your why. Starting a business is exciting, but there will be days when things don’t go as planned, when the sacrifices feel heavy, and when you question whether you can keep going. Having a purpose beyond simply making a profit is what helps you navigate those moments.

I would also say that you don’t have to have everything figured out before you begin. You have to be willing to learn, adapt, ask for help, and give yourself grace along the way. I opened my practice while pregnant with my son, and within the first few years, I faced challenges I could never have anticipated. Those experiences taught me that success isn't about having a perfect plan; it's about being able to adjust when life takes you in a different direction.

Finally, build a team and a community you can trust. You cannot do everything yourself, and you shouldn't have to. Surround yourself with people who believe in your vision, share your values, and help you become better at what you do. Building a business is a journey, and the people who walk alongside you can make all the difference.

What is one piece of feedback from a happy customer or client that you won't forget?

I remember a mother telling me that her child had never felt so calm and relaxed in a dental chair before coming to our practice. Before finding us, dental visits were incredibly stressful. Her child would run out of the building, cry, or need to be physically held still for treatment. Over time, she began noticing a remarkable change—not just in how he behaved during appointments, but in how comfortable and confident he had become in our care.

That conversation has stayed with me because it reminded me that what we do goes far beyond dentistry. For that mother, seeing her child feel safe instead of afraid was an enormous relief. And for me, it was confirmation of why I built this practice the way I did. Every child deserves patience, compassion, and the opportunity to feel safe in the dental chair. Knowing that we helped change that experience for this family is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do.

Where do you see your company in the future?

When I think about the future of Z Pediatric Dentistry, I hope to continue growing in a way that stays true to who we are and why we started. I want us to keep finding better, more comfortable ways to care for children, embrace innovations in pediatric dentistry, and be a trusted resource for families throughout our community.

I also want to continue building a team and a culture where people genuinely love what they do and understand the impact they have on the families we serve. To me, a successful practice isn't measured only by how much it grows, but by the quality of care it provides and the difference it makes in people's lives.

Beyond the practice itself, I hope to continue using my experience and platform to educate others, support causes that are meaningful to me, and advocate for children whose needs may not always be understood. Ultimately, I want Z Pediatric Dentistry to continue making a difference for generations of families, while allowing me to grow personally and professionally in ways that matter just as much.

What is the biggest misconception about your industry?

I think one of the biggest misconceptions about pediatric dentistry is that dental anxiety is just something children have to outgrow, or that a child who struggles during an appointment is simply being difficult. In reality, fear can come from many places, and children don't always have the words to explain what they're feeling. Sometimes, they need a different approach, more time, or simply someone willing to meet them where they are.

Pediatric dentistry is about so much more than treating teeth. We're building trust, creating healthy habits, supporting development, and helping children establish a relationship with healthcare that can last a lifetime. I believe that when we take the time to understand each child as an individual and adapt our approach to their needs, we can transform what might otherwise be a frightening experience into a positive one.

I also think many people underestimate how much specialized knowledge goes into caring for children. Their mouths, their development, their behavior, and their emotional needs are different from those of adults. Our job is to understand all of those things and make sure every child receives the care they need in a way that works for them.

What has been one of your biggest struggles building your business, and how did you deal with it?

One of my biggest struggles has been learning how to navigate the unexpected while carrying the responsibility of running a business and caring for my family. I opened my practice while pregnant with my son, Imran, and within the first year of his life, we learned that he had osteogenesis imperfecta, a rare genetic condition that makes his bones extremely fragile. Just six months after he was born, Hurricane Harvey destroyed my brand-new dental office. A few years later, the pandemic began just one week after I gave birth to my daughter.

There were moments when it felt like life was testing me from every direction. I had a business to rebuild, a family to care for, and patients and team members who depended on me. I couldn't always control what was happening around me, but I could control how I responded.

I learned to take things one step at a time, lean on the people who supported me, and remind myself why I started in the first place. I also learned that resilience doesn't mean you never feel overwhelmed or discouraged. Sometimes, it simply means allowing yourself to feel those things and then finding the strength to take the next step.

Looking back, those experiences have shaped me into a more compassionate business owner, a more understanding healthcare provider, and a person who doesn't take the good moments for granted. I still don't have everything figured out, but I've learned that you can build something meaningful even when life doesn't go according to plan.

Who was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

Growing up, I loved Bollywood music! I love being Indian, and my culture has always been an important part of who I am. Bollywood music has always felt like such a beautiful expression of that culture—the energy, the colors, the storytelling, and the way the music and lyrics are filled with joy and emotion. I love how it brings people together and makes even an ordinary moment feel like a celebration.

As for athletes, I was fascinated by Olympic gymnasts, especially Kerri Strug. I remember being so inspired by her determination and courage during the 1996 Olympics. Watching her push through such a challenging moment left a lasting impression on me. I've always admired people who show strength and perseverance in the face of adversity, and her story is one I've never forgotten.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

Absolutely. First and foremost, I want to give a heartfelt shoutout to my husband, in-laws, and family, who have supported my dreams through every season of life, especially the difficult ones. Building a business while raising a family hasn't always been easy, and there have been times when I needed to pour myself into my practice and trust them to care for my children. Their willingness to step in, support me, and believe in what I was building has meant more to me than I can put into words. I wouldn't be where I am today without them.

I also want to thank my friends, who have been such an important source of love, encouragement, and strength. They've believed in me during moments when I struggled to believe in myself, reminded me of what I was capable of, and stood beside me through the highs and lows. Having people in your life who genuinely want to see you succeed is such a gift. I'm incredibly grateful for the village that has helped me keep going, even when the road has been difficult.

Where can our readers learn more about you and your company?

Readers can learn more about me and my practice, Z Pediatric Dentistry, by visiting our website at www.zpdentistry.com or following us on Instagram at @zpdentistry.

We share information about our services, our approach to making dental visits comfortable for children, and the wonderful team and community that make our practice so special.

I'd love for families to connect with us and learn more about how we're making a difference in children's oral health. At the heart of everything we do is a simple goal: to help children build healthy smiles and positive dental experiences that last a lifetime!