DMD 2018 : Diana Liao
What made you choose dentistry?
Dentistry is in my blood. But I never thought this was going
to be the career for me until late into my undergraduate career. With immigrant
parents who work rigorous hours to provide a comfortable life for my 2 siblings
and I- to be honest, dentistry did not seem that glamorous at a young age. My
parents never pushed dentistry upon me but they always re-assured me that they
loved their jobs and the communities they served in. In college, I needed a
part time job and I found myself working in dental offices for a few extra
bucks. From one patient to the next, I began to fall in love with the
interpersonal relationships I was building. I fell in love with the idea that
dentistry can offer me far more than just drill and fill, it was about the
people, the team, and the personalized care that I can provide for my patients.
I loved the idea of a career that I can take full ownership of. And thus, began
my dental school journey.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years (family, location, career)?
In 10 years, I hope to have a thriving private practice in
Southern California with two associates. I want to develop a well-trained,
organized staff and work environment so I can continue to do more than just
dentistry. I hope to be a good mother,
dog mom, wife, friend, and to continue doing all the things that I love. A
well-balanced life has always been important to me. In 10 years, I hope to
continue to hike, run, PureBarre, and enjoy weekends at the beach. As much as I
love my career, I want to make sure I have enough time for my family and loved
ones.
What draws you to want to be involved in organized dentistry?
I am a true believer of a strong network and what a unified
group can achieve. Organized dentistry is the voice and strength behind our
profession. I see myself in organized dentistry and always doing the work
necessary to help my colleagues continue to live in an era where we can continue
to provide comprehensive work for our patients with outside influences. I want
to have opportunities to volunteer and to give back. This is where my passion
lies and I know my colleagues in organized dentistry will continue to inspire
me to be a better both professionally and in my personal life.
What three celebrities would you like in your dream wedding party?
Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) from Parks and Rec, because I am
basically as awkward and determined as she is in life. Maid of Honor material
for sure. She will have my whole wedding planned before I ever knew we were
friends.
Barney Stinson from How I Met Your Mother because you always
need that one guy at a wedding to stir the pot and to make the night LEGENDARY.
Olivia Pope from Scandal, to keep things under control. As
the bride, I want to feel like I’m being watched for like the president.
(Yes, I watch too much TV)
DMD 2019 : Marc Bernardo
What made you choose dentistry?
Dentistry has been in my life ever since I was
in the womb. My mother was studying for her California State Boards while
she was pregnant with me. During that time, she would teach the both of
us, hoping I too could benefit from those study sessions. Now, just
having passed my NBDE Part I, I think it worked! Being surrounded by two
general practitioners as parents, I saw the blessings the field of dentistry
offers not only the provider but also the community they serve. The
puzzle pieces of dentistry as a career slowly but surely began to piece
themselves throughout my education, much more so in grad school. I
pursued a masters in public health, and it was with my experiences as a public
health dental professional I realized the disparities of oral health
amongst my own community of Riverside and San Bernardino County. In a
time where international missionaries are popular, I realized I can do the most
help just driving 5 minutes from my neighborhood. Access to care for
underserved communities is such a big issue and I hope to lend a helping hand
in the field to fix it.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years (family, location, career)?
Ten years from now, I see myself happily married
with two children, a dog, and an aquarium full of fish. I plan on serving
the community via my family's group practice and continue to care for my neighbors in Riverside and
San Bernardino County. Along with dentistry I would love to see my
hobbies in photography and eating food matriculate into a side career, perhaps
in photo foodie journalism.
What draws you to want to be involved in organized dentistry?
I have witnessed the benefits of organized
dentistry throughout my life via my parents practice. Being international
dentists, educated in the Philippines and now flourishing as general
practitioners, I have seen the hardships they have encountered along the
way. CDA and TDIC was always their security blanket when it came to
developing a practice, obtaining CE's, and practice management. My
experiences working in organized dentistry helped me realize that dentistry is
much more than treating patients in a clinic. It is advocating for the
greater good to preserve the integrity of the profession for clinicians and the
individuals we serve.
What three celebrities would you like in your dream wedding party?
The peoples champion, The Rock. He is one
of the most electrifying, inspiring, and down right entertaining individuals I
admire.
Justin Timberlake! I really like the guy and I
hope inviting the other members of NSYNC to my wedding will lead to a reunion
tour!
Jason Segal for the down to earth likable guy he
is.
If my wife decides to extend her bridal party,
I'd add Mark Whalberg and Paul Rudd too.
DMD 2020 : Shelby Maurice
What made you choose dentistry?
Growing up, one of my
favorite things about every holiday was the candy that accompanied it. The
candy canes and chocolate at Christmas, the jelly beans and Peeps at Easter,
not to mention the sweet tooth smorgasbord that was Halloween. This passion for
sugar landed me in the dental chair with decay. I had always enjoyed getting my
teeth cleaned and my fluoride treatments, so I was a little curious as to what
this non-check up appointment with my dentist was going to be like. Two visits,
four restorations, and double prizes from the treasure chest later, I was
hooked on dentistry. After starting my orthodontic treatment with a palate
expander at age 9, my appreciation for the esthetic aspect of dentistry began
to grow and, in high school I worked as a dental assistant for a mobile practice
serving the elderly population in the Metro Detroit area of Michigan. When my
first-hand experience with dentistry changed from the esthetics of
straightening and whitening to the functionality of restoring lost chewing
surfaces and removing problematic teeth, I gained a more full appreciation of
and passion for how dental treatment provided with knowledge and care can
change someone’s life in a majorly profound way. Dentistry is how I want to
help heal the world, one smile at a time.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years (family, location, career)?
This is a great
questions, and, too, would love to know the answer to it! At this point in my
life, I have so many different possibilities for the future that I am playing
with in my head that that is an entire blog in itself. In ten years, I hope to
be living in a place that inspires me, making a living by doing work that helps
others, with people who I respect and enjoy, and who challenge me to be a
better practitioner and human being. While I am not sure of the specifics of a
decade from now, I can tell you with confidence that I will be providing
world-class dental care, and will be involved in organized dentistry,
volunteering in my community, and mentoring young people who are interested in
entering STEM fields.
What draws you to want to be involved in organized dentistry?
As a dental assistant,
the level of need that I saw in the elderly populations I worked with was
astounding. The neglect of proper oral hygiene, by both family members and
assisted living facility staff, was shocking and sobering to me as a young
pre-dental student. The doctor that I worked for was very involved in
advocating for her patients within organized dentistry at both the local and
state level, and I was inspired by her actions to want to do the same when I
was a dentist. During orientation for dental school, when the CDA
representative opportunity was presented, I knew right away that this was
something I was interested in, and I am so glad that I got to be a part of the
team. Being able to work with, learn from, and share the student journey with
peers from California’s other dental schools has been nothing short of
inspiring. Being a part of CDA, an organization that is so fully dedicated to
bettering the field for the dentists, students, and patients of the state has
lit a flame in me that will burn for the rest of my life. Whether through
advocacy, leadership training, participating in committees, and more, I want not
only directly provide care to help those in need, but I want to help be a part
of the changes that alleviates that need, while also working with others to
create a great experience for providers. The best part of the world, and the
profession, is the people we are in it with. What a waste it would be not to
try to connect with them and do meaningful things.
What three celebrities would you like in your dream wedding party?
Kanye West (to keep
everyone on their toes, give a wack speech, and keep things from being too
predictable), Lady Gaga (to help me pick out the bridal party clothes and lend
a hand to general aesthetics/awesomeness), and Willy Wonka (because imagine the
best wedding you’ve ever been to, then add Willy Wonka)
DMD 2021 : Daniel Aclan
