(November 25, 2025) When Indian-origin dentist Smita Salagare arrived in Denmark in 2010 to accompany her husband, who was working there, she never imagined she would one day contest the country’s municipal and regional elections. 15 years later, she ran simultaneously for Odense Municipality and the Region of Southern Denmark, standing confidently as one of the international representatives of Moderaterne (The Moderates), a political party of the European nation. Her candidacy embodied her belief that international candidates can, and should take their place in Denmark’s democratic landscape. But as a first-time politician, she fell short of securing the votes needed for a win when the results were declared in the third week of November.
When the results came in, Smita reflected with honesty and hope in her social media post. “We didn’t quite make it this time… so close, but not enough. But what an incredible journey it has been.” Despite the setback, Smita emphasized how transformative the experience had been. “This was my very first election, and throughout the process I felt so supported. I received countless messages, calls, and words of encouragement. To everyone who believed in me and cast their vote, thank you from the bottom of my heart.” With no political lineage behind her, her motivation still remains intact. “I don’t come from a political background, but I have a strong desire to raise my voice for our community — for equality, for diversity, and for a more fair and open, inclusive Odense.”
The practising dentist and a rising political candidate took pride in how much her small team had achieved. “We have been a small organisation — few candidates, limited resources, and no big campaign machinery. Yet we managed to create conversations, spark debate, and make ourselves visible.” Even in defeat, her commitment remains strengthened. “And I promise: I will keep fighting for a strong public school, for better healthcare and elder care, for more opportunities in our community.”
Starting from zero
Before moving to Denmark, back in Mumbai, Smita was already a well-established dentist, with nearly a decade of experience, a respected private practice, and a teaching role at a university. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from DY Patil Hospital and Dental School, and a Master’s in Dental Surgery from Savitribai Phule Pune University. But moving to Denmark meant resetting her career entirely.
Her first challenge was the Danish language. It was an obstacle she took on with extraordinary discipline. She enrolled in a two-year Danish Language Diploma, attending classes for six to eight hours every day. As occupations like dentistry require good local language proficiency, she devoted herself to mastering pronunciation, grammar, and comprehension.
But language was only step one. To practise independently in Denmark, Smita had to complete the demanding Dental Authorization Programme at the University of Copenhagen. She successfully passed the Oral/Practical examination on an adult patient, the Oral examination on a child patient, and the Written Interdisciplinary Dentistry exam. These clearances ultimately earned her the authorization to work as a dentist in Denmark.
The process took almost three years. There were moments when the long road made her question everything. She had left behind a thriving career, a familiar culture, and professional stability in India. But her resolve stayed firm. Each milestone strengthened her belief that mastering the language and the system was the key to genuine integration in a new country.
Finding her voice in Denmark
Driving hundreds of kilometres across Southern Denmark for her job allowed Smita to see the country’s healthcare system up close. She witnessed the strengths, the shortcomings, and the gaps that particularly affected rural patients. She sensed that her experiences could be valuable beyond the dental clinic. The desire to contribute carved a new path for her, and this is how she entered politics.
Denmark had welcomed her family through immense effort and perseverance, and now Smita wanted to give back. She understood the struggles international candidates face as the uncertainty, the isolation, the linguistic and cultural barriers loom large. Her own journey revealed that progress happens when people feel included, empowered, and supported.
Moderaterne became the natural home for these convictions. The political party’s emphasis on collaboration, inclusion, and bridge-building aligned with her values. As one of her social media posts puts it, “In The Moderates, we believe that Denmark grows stronger when we choose cooperation over conflict….We build bridges between people. We don’t build walls.” This idea that politics must unite rather than divide formed the backbone of her campaign.
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The Campaign Trail: Knocking doors, building trust
Smita took a uniquely hands-on approach to campaigning, shaped by her Indian roots where political relationships are forged face to face. She believes that true connection comes from meeting people in their daily lives; in places like the markets, community centres, parks, and local gatherings. Her approach resonated with both Danes and internationals.
She positioned herself as a bridge between communities, and someone who understands integration first-hand yet is deeply rooted in the Danish system, contributing professionally and socially. Many internationals saw her as a success story that reflects their own aspirations, while Danes appreciated her commitment to the country and her insider’s understanding of the healthcare system.
A platform built on care, dignity, and inclusion
Smita’s campaign priorities reflected both her professional expertise and her lived experiences. Working within the Danish healthcare system has shown her the systemic challenges like long waiting times, limited staffing, and inequalities between rural and urban regions. She argued for a more efficient, more accessible, and more advanced healthcare structure that meets the expectations of a modern welfare state. In her words from a campaign post: “Elderly care is not just about practical help. It’s about quality of life, safety and humanity… We owe it to our elderly to do better, and we also owe it to the staff to give them the opportunity to succeed.”
Smita with other Moderate candidates of Denmark’s Jutland and Funen
Her motivation for entering politics was to help create an environment where care homes and elder-support systems have the staffing and resources they need, ensuring that the elderly are treated with dignity and compassion. As a mother, she advocated for better teacher-student ratios and more supportive school environments. She believes that children deserve classrooms where they are seen, heard, and given the space to grow.
Diversity in democracy
Smita has been vocal about the need for representation in local councils. “There are still too few women, young people and ethnic minorities in our municipal and regional councils. A more open, diverse and family friendly political environment benefits us all,” she remarked during the campaign. Her goal has been to break patterns that traditionally keep certain groups away from political participation by pushing for mentoring systems, support networks, and more inclusive political structures.
Empowering internationals to step forward
During the campaign, Smita seemed determined to increase voter turnout among internationals and minority ethnic groups. She emphasized that democracy only works when everyone participates. “Staying away from the system will not change the system. You have to be in it. And how? You have to vote,” she urged. Time and again she reiterated her belief that Denmark is an open, transparent society, but engagement must come from both sides. Integration, she believes, is a two-way effort that demands respect, responsibility, and perseverance.
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Balancing dentistry and democracy
Balancing a dental career with political commitments would seem overwhelming to many, but Smita embraced the challenge wholeheartedly. Her family is her backbone, cheering her on through every step. Her husband’s encouragement has been the fuel to her determination to give nothing less than her best.
Each evening, after hours of meeting citizens, attending events, and discussing local issues, Smita returned home with the satisfaction of knowing she is trying to shape the community she now calls her own.
A new kind of representative
From learning Danish from scratch to earning the right to practise dentistry, from adjusting to a new culture to stepping into the political arena, Smita Salagare embodies perseverance and belief. Her decision to enter politics stemmed from her conviction that integration is not just about belonging, but about participating. If anything, her recent political stint hints at a Denmark whose immigrant population is increasingly ready to play an active role in its political administration and growth story.
As she shared, “I will keep fighting for a strong public school, for better healthcare and elder care, and for more opportunities in our community,” her commitment clearly extends beyond the recent electoral outcome, and signals her intention to continue that fight in the next election cycle.
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