Most Interesting Dentist in the World- The Book

Introduction

So, believe it or not, this is my third book. I’ve written a weekly column for local rags since 1998. And prior to my early monthly spots for our local Chamber publication, I can honestly confess I never saw twenty years of published writing coming.

And I started out thinking I’d be either a professional athlete or a commercial artist and it’s interesting the way things turn out.

Aside from my lack of height, strength, speed, and athletic DNA from my stud athlete dad, the pro sports option would have been perfect. As far as commercial artistry goes; after two years of high school art classes, I was convinced at least one of my classmates could draw circles around me and beat me up at the same time…and that was just counting the women.

I chose dentistry as my high school career change because I aced math and science without being all that interested. And who could pass up working indoors with air conditioning, engaging people all day, and maybe even making an artistic difference?

My early home was a few miles away form the University of Southern California campus, just south of the Los Angeles Civic Center. After negotiating the first grade, our little mostly Sicilian family moved east to the beautiful San Gabriel valley and I’ve been there ever since. Today, I live in Pasadena, California and a medium walk away from the Rose Bowl.

Although my parents and older brother were ten times smarter than me, I was the first of my family to make it through college and earn a Bachelor of Science degree (at Cal State University, Los Angeles.) Getting into dental school seemed like a long shot after a dismal first quarter in college. But my dad and I had a memorable conversation and I transformed into a world class student, also working full-time in a warehouse.

My hard work paid off; I was accepted into all five dental schools to which I applied. Unbelievably, I made it into the then number one dental school in the land, my old neighborhood campus, the University of Southern California. But I almost wound up in Nebraska. During my USC interview, the

Admissions Dean asked about my dad’s job. When I shared my dad was a Teamster’s Union business rep and the Dean responded with “…unions were good in their day,” I instantly asked him about his thoughts on slavery. The Dean stared me down but I stared him right back. What followed were the four most miserable years of my life…and a late blooming writing style that most dental professionals would never consider.

My brother passed away the year I applied to dental school; my dad died before my eyes three months into my new practice. For twenty years, I loved serving my patients and co-workers like I would my dad or brother but something else was missing. I’d become my mom’s devoted health care advocate and the two of us struggled together through the all-too-often impersonal journey called U.S. healthcare. And the arduous journey generated our practice intention: Making a world class difference for others and making dentistry fun. Our patients’ experiences would happen in an environment of compassion, reassurance, and love; no numbers or pronouns allowed.

March of 2019 will mark twenty years that our loving little family was reduced to me. I’ll never be able repay my family for their love, support, and sacrifices, made so that I could see possibilities I probably didn’t deserve.

For the last twenty years, family has remained my story, my mission, and my passion. Every day has been all about learning, growing, and doing my best to honor my family, my dental team, and every patient we serve and see as our mom, dad, brother, sister, or child.

You’ll notice my writing is very personal and opinionated, even though for the most part it looks at dentistry, health, and relationships from the lighter side. The book is comprised of stories I’ve written for our local online and hard copy newspapers. When I reread the pieces during the publishing process, it seemed like there was always a sentence or two that touched my feelings.

You’ll read about my team because they’ve become my family. You’ll read about sports because those stories take me back to my mom, dad, brother, and the childhood I wouldn’t trade for the world. You’ll get virtual interviews with the Dalai Lama, politics, and my takes on pop culture. Sometimes the connection to health will be obvious; there are other times when you might need to use your imagination.

Every day I vow to be powerful, positive, and fearless and I warn you; somedays I fail and sometimes I overdo it. After practicing dentistry for over 40-years, I can still reach par-5s in two and roll the wheels off stationary bikes. But I was never that flexible and Dental Assistants Kolleen and Dani have occasionally inferred my filter has become slightly more transparent.

I hope you enjoy the stories. I guess my theme is visits to the dentist can be a little scary but we’re intent on listening, understanding, and being interested. We want you to feel safe and we want to help you

become your own best healthcare advocate. We’re on your side. We like you. We want the best for you.

Why not practice effective business, healthcare, and dentistry within a culture of love, humor, and compassion?