Dr. David Tabaroki is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon based in Queens, New York. His story begins in Tehran, Iran, where he was born. At age 12, he immigrated to New York. That move shaped his work ethic early.
He earned a full scholarship to Yeshiva University. He later received another full scholarship to NYU College of Dentistry. He graduated in the top 5 percent of his class, with honors and dean’s list recognition. From there, he completed four years of oral and maxillofacial surgery training at Montefiore University Hospital, one of the most respected programs in the country.
More than 20 years ago, he opened Queens Blvd Oral Surgery. Over time, he expanded and now owns three practices: Queens Blvd Oral Surgery, Jamaica Estates Oral Surgery, and Gramercy Dental Group.
His career reflects discipline and long-term focus. He built his practices step by step. He stayed in Queens and invested in the community. He balanced clinical excellence with business growth.
Dr. Tabaroki lives on Long Island with his wife and five children. Outside of work, he follows the Giants, Knicks, and Yankees. His life is rooted in family, hard work, and steady progress.
From immigrant student to multi-practice owner, his journey shows what consistent effort can build over time.
Q&A with Dr. David Tabaroki on Success
What does success mean to you?
Success means building something that lasts. It is not just about income or titles. It is about consistency. I measure success by how long I can maintain a high standard.
When I opened Queens Blvd Oral Surgery more than 20 years ago, success was simple. Show up every day. Do good work. Treat people with respect. If patients come back and refer others, that is real success.
Over time, owning three practices became part of that picture. But growth only matters if quality stays the same.
How did immigrating to New York at 12 shape your mindset?
Moving from Tehran to New York changed everything. At 12, you are old enough to feel the pressure. You want to fit in. You want to compete.
I learned quickly that effort matters. No one hands you anything. I focused on school because it was something I could control. That focus led to full scholarships at Yeshiva University and NYU.
Being an immigrant taught me resilience. It also taught me not to waste opportunity.
What role did education play in your success?
Education was my foundation. Getting into NYU on a full scholarship and graduating in the top 5 percent did not happen by accident. It required discipline every day.
At Montefiore, during my four years of oral and maxillofacial surgery training, the expectations were high. The cases were complex. The hours were long. That environment forced me to grow.
Success in business started with success in training. If you master your craft, business becomes more sustainable.
How did you transition from surgeon to business owner?
When I opened my first practice, I realized quickly that surgery and business are different skills. In surgery, precision is everything. In business, systems matter.
I focused on structure. Clear scheduling. Reliable staff. Strong communication. Over time, that structure allowed me to expand to Jamaica Estates Oral Surgery and Gramercy Dental Group.
I did not expand quickly. I expanded carefully. Each new location had to meet the same standard as the first.
What habits helped you build three practices?
Consistency is the biggest one. I treat each day like it matters. Small decisions add up over 20 years.
I also pay attention to details. In surgery, details determine outcomes. In business, they determine reputation.
And I stay involved. Even as an owner of multiple practices, I do not detach from the work. That keeps me grounded.
How do you balance work and family?
I live on Long Island with my wife and five children. That keeps me focused. A large family teaches you time management very quickly.
I plan my schedule carefully. I protect family time. Work is important, but it is not everything.
Following the Giants, Knicks, and Yankees is part of that balance. Sports are simple. You prepare. You compete. You adjust. There are lessons there that apply to both surgery and business.
What advice would you give someone who wants long-term success?
Focus on excellence first. Titles and expansion come later.
Build a strong base. Whether it is education or skill, that foundation matters. Do not rush growth. If you expand before your systems are ready, quality suffers.
And stay patient. Success over 20 years looks very different from success over two years. Long-term thinking changes how you make decisions.
For me, success has always been about staying steady, improving over time, and building something that can stand on its own.