Second Act, Same Sparkle: Dr. Jen Moran-Kobes’ Return to Dentistry Inspires Women to Rewrite Their Next Chapter

Millions of mothers around the country put their careers, ambitions, and goals on hold when they have children. They focus on raising their kids and putting everyone else’s wants and needs ahead of their own. Once the kids are back in school or they have left the nest, they then feel free to continue the path they are on or choose a new one. Many women are embracing the idea that it’s never too late to reignite their ambition and pursue their purpose with renewed passion.

“Pursuing a career I love took a backseat while I focused on raising my family, but I knew that wouldn’t be the case forever," said Jen Moran-Kobes, DDS. “When the time was right, I reclaimed my ambition and got back in the game — and I’m so glad I did. What’s been most rewarding is seeing how my journey is now inspiring others to do the same.”

Many women worry that once they have been out of the field for so long, due to mothering or other issues, it may be too late to get back to it. The good news is that it's never too late. Dr. Jen Moran-Kobes began her career in the dental field by opening her own cosmetic dental practice, but then sold the business to put her family first. She spent 17 years focusing on raising her four children, and was also hit with battling breast cancer. Recently, she rekindled her passion and went back to work doing what she loves and has been trained to do.

To return to dentistry, she had to renew her license and engage in additional training, and retake the dental boards, but she didn't let that stop her. She's now back practicing at the same office she founded years earlier, Water Tower Dental Care, and also servicing patients at Hinsdale Dentistry. She’s made a name for herself in a male-dominated field by giving her patients the time, attention, and personalized care they deserve, helping them achieve their unique natural looking smiles. Today, her practice focuses on cosmetic and restorative dentistry, including no and minimal prep veneers, crowns, implants, composite bonding, whitening, Invisalign, and more.

Dr. Moran-Kobes shares these tips for anyone looking to reclaim their ambition later in life:

• Make decisions. The time comes when you have to decide what you want to pursue. Get serious about making the decision and don't shy away from something you feel drawn to simply because it requires training or time to get there. The first step is deciding to pursue your ambition.

• Map out a plan. Determine what path you need to take to get where you want to be. Find out all the steps, no matter what it requires, and lay out a plan for making it happen. Along the way, evaluate if there are resources that can be utilized to help make it happen (i.e., networking, getting a mentor, loans, etc.). 

• Take action. Perhaps the most difficult thing for people is to take the first step and bring the plan to life. To reach any goal, the first step has to be taken, so take the first step to get it all started. Doing just one thing to begin may be all it takes to build momentum and bring your plan to life.

• Become an expert. Whatever you choose to do, do it wholeheartedly and focus on mastering it. Learn all you can so that you can become an expert in the field, which will bring confidence, connections, and opportunities. 

• Be mindful. While it's good to have plans for the future, try to spend the days being cognizant of what is going on that day. The best way to take care of the future is to take care of the present. 

“I know reclaiming your ambition later in life can be overwhelming and filled with uncertainty, but it’s also exciting and empowering,” said Dr. Jen Moran-Kobes. “You will always be glad that you did it. You only have one life, so do the thing that you want to do! Even if it requires re-taking written and clinical boards. It will be so worth it!”

Dr. Moran-Kobes believes that no woman's story is over just because she has been away from the workforce for a while. Whether wanting to get back into a particular field or enter a new one, it's never too late to get started. In doing so, she helps women feel their best and love their smile by offering free smile consultations at two convenient Chicago locations -  Water Tower Dental Care or Hinsdale Dentistry. 

Dr. Jen Moran-Kobes is living proof that it’s never too late to return to what lights you up. Whether you’re stepping back into a familiar field or venturing into something entirely new, the path forward begins with one decision: to try! Her journey encourages women everywhere to embrace their second act with confidence, knowing that experience, resilience, and passion are powerful tools for success at any stage of life. Today, she continues helping others feel their best - and love their smiles by offering free smile consultations at both Water Tower Dental Care and Hinsdale Dentistry. 

About Dr. Jen Moran-Kobes:

Dr. Jen Moran-Kobes is a board-certified AACD restorative dentist, focusing on cosmetic dentistry, known for blending science and art to create natural, confidence-boosting smiles. She founded Water Tower Dental Care in 1997, and after a break to raise her four children and beat breast cancer, she now sees patients there and at Hinsdale Dentistry. Dr. Jen Moran-Kobes offers general and aesthetic dentistry, including no/minimal prep veneers, same day crowns, implants, composite bonding, whitening, Invisalign, and more - all delivered with a patient-first approach rooted in empathy, artistry, and clinical expertise. Connect with @DrJenMoran on Instagram to learn more.