Why did you choose a career in dentistry?
My mother was a nurse and always encouraged me to join the health care field. She taught me to care for people from the inside out. As I went to dental visits, I become more intrigued by the profession. Now, I love seeing my patients every six months and hearing about their lives and families.
What do you remember from your first day with patients?
It was a combination of emotions: Scary, exciting, overwhelming, intimidating, proud and not productive! In your mind, you plan for an amazing full day of patients and don’t account for no-shows, people running late, equipment malfunctions, staffing hiccups and procedures going not quite as you planned. At the end of the day, I knew my staff had tried their hardest and that my patients were happy. The experience was humbling.
What is it like for you to return to UNLV to teach at the School of Dental Medicine?
At first it was difficult because I related more to the students than to the faculty. As time progressed, I transitioned more to faculty and understanding why it was so important to get the students to learn as much as they could while they were in school. I love teaching and working with students because they are so vibrant and tireless.
Do you have any goals for your new role as dental director?
I was born and raised in Nevada, so it is my passion to improve oral health care for this state. Liberty Dental Plan is here to help Nevada improve our health care ranking nationally, as well as being an industry leader in health care.