The Untold Stories of Dentists: What You Don't Know About Dentists

By Jared King

Learn the backstories of these amazing individuals and how they found their path to dentistry.  The struggles they go through in dental school to running a business and wondering when the tides will turn.  These stories are inspiring and will give you a new outlook on dentists and the importance of the work they perform to keep us all

• Language: English
• Publisher: JRK Publishing
• Release date: Dec 17, 2019
• ISBN: 9780578604367

Jared King

Jared King is the founder of JRK Innovations dedicated to thinking outside the box in developing software, writing books, creating games, and online training courses.

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Copyright © 2019 J.R.K. Publishing

All rights reserved. This book or parts thereof may not be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means – electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise – without prior written permission of the publisher, except as provided by United States of America copyright law.

ISBN: 978-0-578-60436-7

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to dentists around the world who fight through challenges to pursue their dreams.

Contents

ARMI ALiAN

BENJAMIN MAGLEBY

CHI MBA

CHRISTINA BARTSCH

CHRISTOPHER SHAMLIAN

CONNIE PIERCE

CYNTHIA WEIDEMAN

DANIEL NO

DAVID TING

DENISE HENDERSON

ERIC KIM

JACOB DEVINNEY

JASON HENDERSON

JAY GROSSMAN

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ARMI ALiAN

I got into dentistry because of the word doctor . I’m Filipino, and the dream of most parents there is to have a doctor in the family, because to them medicine is the most respected and prestigious profession. However, because of our family’s size – I’m the oldest of seven children – my parents couldn’t afford to send me to medical school. When I mentioned becoming a veterinarian my father replied, You won’t earn a living doing that because people in our country don’t spend money on their pets or animals.  The only option left, then, was dentistry.

I graduated from the University of the East College of Dentistry in the Philippines in 1980. Right after graduation, one of my professors hired me to work as a dental assistant while I waited for my Board results. At the same time, my father had a dental office ready for me. The day before I got my results, my father said, I hope I don’t have to spend more money getting you psychiatric treatment if you don’t get your license. He was kidding of course, and the next morning, we got the great news! I got my Dr. and was now licensed to practice dentistry in the Philippines.

I practiced for five years, during which time I also bore three children in 1981, 1983, and 1985. In October 1985, not long after my youngest was born, my friends convinced me to get a visa and migrate to the US. I prayed to God, asking Him to please grant me the visa if it would make a positive difference in my life. I had only good intentions because I wanted to better my family’s life and my children’s future. With God’s blessing, I obtained a US visa that was valid for one month only.

Leaving behind my four-year-old, my two-year-old, and five-month-old was the most heartbreaking decision of my life. On top of that, my relationship with their father wasn’t going well, so I would also be leaving behind a broken marriage. I would also miss my youngest child’s first Christmas, as well as all of their birthdays until we could be reunited. But I took the dive, and with milk still dripping from my breasts, I boarded the plane to California, not knowing when I would get to hug, kiss, and embrace my children again.

After I arrived, I cried every day. Prayers were my only consolation because my communication with my children was limited since I couldn’t afford to call long distance very often.

My first job was as a dental assistant in Hollywood, making less than minimum wage. I was blessed, however, to have my father’s help. By that time, he was also working abroad and could lend some financial support. One day, a friend told me that I could make more money as a nanny. I took the nanny job and made extra $800 a month while still working as a dental assistant at $25 a day.

On schedule, my visa expired, and I had to lie about my status and told my prospective employer that I was a US citizen. Eventually, I was able to get my Social Security number and work legally. And finally, in February 1988, I was reunited with my children after 27 months of yearning to embrace and kiss them. God had answered my prayers. It was the happiest day of our lives, but it was also quite sad. I cried because my youngest son didn’t know who I was and would not hug, kiss, or cuddle with me because he missed his grandmother.

However, with my children here, I was better able to concentrate on and take the California State Boards. While I waited for my results, Dr. Saul Birnbaum, my employer at the time, suggested that I open my own practice. I found an available office in Cypress, CA. When I told the owner that I had just taken my boards and was awaiting my results, he kindly insisted that I sign the lease agreement and gave me six months free rent pending my board results. At the same time, Dr. Birnbaum was busy looking for used dental equipment for me to use in my new office.

In 1990, I passed my boards. Halleluiah! That August, I opened my office with an old barber’s chair, used x-ray unit, and a dental chair, all paid for by Dr. Birnbaum. I decided to also lease a new chair and new x-ray unit to attract patients. My family and friends helped me paint my office and get it ready. With all that, a $25,000 loan, and some donated reception room furniture and a big mirror, I opened my dental practice. Since then, my office has grown to what it is today.

I have now been a dentist for 39 years, and I take pride in the care I give and strive to provide the maximum standard quality of care. When I think about my patients, I get emotional, not because of the dental services I provide but because I listen to them and know about their lives. I love my patients, and I love dentistry. And because of the loyalty, trust, and confidence that I have