Q: What's a typical workday like for you?
A: I start seeing patients at 8 a.m. I see an average of six patients an hour, doing cleaning checks, fillings, crowns, sealants and extractions. I see all kids up to age 18. My day is busy; it goes by fast and we have a lot of fun.
Q: How does your role fit into the bigger healthcare picture?
A: Your oral health is a part of total health, so if you have dental disease it can lead to abscessed teeth and pain. Oral health is just part of the entire package.
Q: Who do you interact with during the course of the day?
A: I interact with the patients and their parents, receptionists, dental hygienists, dental assistants and other dentists. I am in a practice with eight other pediatric dentists.
Q: Why did you become a pediatric dentist?
A: From the time I was about 8 or 9 years old, I wanted to be dentist because I wanted to hold the instruments. When I was in my third year of dental school, I decided to specialize. I looked at everything I had done and thought about what I really enjoyed the most and I enjoyed being around kids. That's why I chose pediatric dentistry and it's a good fit.
