The path to dentistry actually began with love for Dr. Frank Nia. He moved to Atlanta in 1998, where he met his now-wife, Dr. Bahar Nia, while an undergraduate at Georgia State University. She was in dentistry school at the time, following in her father’s footsteps. Inspired by her, he decided to embark on his own dental journey, rather than pursuing a career in business management. He ultimately graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Dental Medicine in 2007, where he also earned a Master of Science in Education. (Dr. Bahar Nia also attended the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Dental Medicine.)
His first order of business back in Atlanta was to set up a practice in McDonough with partners, including his former classmate, Dr. Farid Toub. From there, the duo established 20 dental practices, including Braces Braces, an orthodontic practice with multiple locations in Metro Atlanta. They managed to serve hundreds of thousands of dental patients in 18 years in practice. After consolidating, they went on to serve in clinical roles. “We had, at the time, around 450 doctors in 250 offices,” says Dr. Nia, who is also licensed in oral and IV sedation in the state of Georgia.
After coaching and managing hundreds of practices, they decided to retire in 2022. “We thought we were done with private practice dentistry,” he says. “But we really missed our patients.”
Dentistry was calling them back, but in a different capacity: one that Dr. Nia calls a boutique, private, relational practice. In 2023, they opened Ponce Dental Studio on Ponce de Leon Avenue in Old Fourth Ward. It was a change of pace from their previous work in the suburbs. “We wanted more of an urban vibe,” he says.
After getting that off the ground, the pair decided that ultimately, a location close to their homes in Buckhead would serve them and the community where their families were entrenched well. They opened a Maple Drive outpost of Ponce Dental Studio in the heart of Buckhead in the summer of 2025.
In this new iteration, Dr. Nia and Dr. Toub can focus more on what they say sets them apart. “It’s now about our relationships with people, and doing things at our own pace,” he says. “You can’t take care of anyone unless you have a mutual relationship with them, one based on trust, respect, and integrity. Understanding someone’s story and journey, as well as their medical and dental health history, is significant, and it takes time. When you’re trying to take care of someone for 10, 20, 30 years, it’s very different than trying just to fix everything right now and make things transactional.”
The two have always been known for staying up-to-date on procedures, and that’s also true at Ponce Dental Studio, where they leverage the available technology and tools. “We have the latest tools, diagnostics, imaging, and facilities, but we are old-school when it comes to relationships. We go to synagogue or church with you, we know you in the community, we’re accountable to you,” says the Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.
At Ponce Dental Studio, we are a family-oriented practice. They offer family and general dentistry, reconstructive implant dentistry, and smile makeovers. Regardless of the area you need, experts are available to serve you. “We have all the specialists you might need,” says Dr. Nia. “And we refer out where needed.”
Part of being family and community-oriented means making patients comfortable the moment they enter. Neither branch of Ponce Dental Studio resembles a traditional dentistry practice. Instead, Dr. Nia creates an environment that was inspiring to him and peaceful to his patients. That translates to touches like blankets, hot towels, and noise-cancelling headphones, allowing patients to relax after a thorough discussion with a dentist. “We want to help their senses feel good. What they smell, hear, see…it’s the evolution of taking care of people. It needs to include the pride you take in your product.” poncedentalstudio.com
