Dr. David Tabaroki’s story begins far from the city where he built his career. He was born in Tehran, Iran, and moved to New York at the age of 12. Adjusting to a new country at a young age shaped his drive and focus early on.
Education became his foundation. Dr. Tabaroki attended Yeshiva University on a full scholarship. He later earned another full scholarship to NYU, where he graduated in the top five percent of his class. He completed his studies with honors and recognition on the Dean’s List, setting the tone for a career defined by discipline and consistency.
He went on to complete four years of oral and maxillofacial surgery training at Montefiore University Hospital, one of the most respected programs in the country. The experience sharpened both his clinical skill and his ability to lead under pressure.
More than 20 years ago, Dr. Tabaroki opened Queens Blvd Oral Surgery. What began as a single practice grew steadily over time. Today, he owns three practices: Queens Blvd Oral Surgery, Jamaica Estates Oral Surgery, and Gramercy Dental Group.
Dr. Tabaroki lives in Long Island with his wife and five children. Outside of work, he enjoys following the New York Giants, Knicks, and Yankees. He remains curious about technology, medicine, and how thoughtful ideas can turn into lasting success.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day starts early. I like quiet mornings. I review my surgery schedule before anything else. That keeps me grounded in patient care. I usually block the first hour for thinking, not reacting. I review notes from my practices, staffing issues, and any operational problems. Productivity for me comes from preparation. If I know what matters most before the day begins, I don’t get pulled in every direction once it gets busy.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I don’t rush ideas. I write them down and let them sit. Many of my best decisions came after weeks of thinking. When I opened my second and third practices, the ideas came from patterns I kept seeing at Queens Blvd Oral Surgery. Once an idea feels practical, I test it on a small scale. If it works with real patients and real staff, then I expand it.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m excited by how technology is improving patient education. Simple tools like digital imaging and treatment simulations help patients understand their care. When people understand, they feel calmer. That changes everything.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
I write things down by hand. I keep a small notebook with me. It slows my thinking in a good way. Not everything needs to be digital.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Be patient. You don’t need to prove everything at once. Consistency wins.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe working longer hours early in your career is not a bad thing if it’s intentional. Those years at Montefiore were exhausting, but they built confidence that lasts.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Review your systems regularly. Not your goals—your systems. Goals change. Systems compound.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I step away from the office and take a long walk. No phone calls. No podcasts. Just thinking. Clarity usually follows movement.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
I stay involved in the details longer than most people expect. Early on, I handled scheduling issues myself. That showed me where systems broke down. Later, when I delegated, I knew exactly what “good” looked like
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my first practice, I hired too quickly. I assumed skill mattered more than attitude. It caused tension and turnover. I corrected it by slowing down hiring and involving my senior staff. The lesson was clear: culture costs less than replacing people.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Create a short “day after surgery” check-in system. A simple call or message. It builds trust and reduces complications.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
I use practice management software mainly for reporting. I don’t just look at numbers. I look for trends over time.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I often revisit Good to Great by Jim Collins. Not for motivation, but for discipline. It reminds me that boring consistency works.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I enjoyed The Last Dance. It shows how preparation and pressure shape leadership.
Key learnings
- Long-term success often comes from patience, consistency, and strong systems.
- Staying close to operations early helps leaders make better decisions later.
- Small habits, like reflection and follow-up, can have an outsized impact.
- Culture and attitude matter as much as skill in building lasting teams.