Dr. Hegde graduated with a BDS from the Government Dental College in Bengaluru in 1989. She went on to complete her MDS in Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics from A.B. Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences in Mangalore in 1993. Before setting up her private practice, Dr. Hegde was employed as a dental specialist at St. Martha’s Hospital in Bengaluru.

In 1994, she established Hegde’s Speciality Dental Clinic along with Dr. Nikhilanand Hegde.

Dr. Hegde also served as the Head of Department of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics at K.L.E Society’s Institute of Dental Sciences for 19 years, before stepping back to focus on full-time private practice.

Dr. Hegde has published several scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals and chaired scientific sessions at various conferences. She has also conducted many workshops and courses for students of dentistry.