Five dentists recently shared with Becker's the reason that first got them interested in a career in the dental industry – their families.
Note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity and length.
Question: What were the reason(s) that you chose to pursue a career in dentistry?
Elizabeth Abrams, DDS. Dentist at Elite Dental Care PC (New York City): My answer is easy. My father is a dentist and I have helped him since my childhood and was captivated by this profession. So dentistry is in my blood and it is my passion.
Jordan Cooper, DDS. Cooper Family Dentistry (Jacksonville, Ark.): I chose dentistry because I wanted to work with my dad. It has been an amazing experience. My dad retired three years ago, but we were able to work together every day for almost 15 years! Some of the best years of my life. He paved the way for me, so I am very grateful to have had such a unique and fun experience in the dental field. Learning from dad was so much different from learning in the school setting. I learned all the practical aspects of dentistry from him. From dentures and crowns to how to treat a patient like family, my dad taught me more about dentistry and life than anyone. This is one of the reasons I mentor younger dentists and enjoy having associates, passing down that legacy.
Steffany Mohan, DDS. Owner of Plaza Dental Group (Des Moines, Iowa): I wanted a career in healthcare coming from a health background family. I knew I wanted a family and didn't want to be on call. Dentistry was the perfect solution for me.
Michael Perpich, DDS. Dentist at Northland Smiles (Deerwood, Minn.): My parents were both children of immigrants who worked in the iron mines. The work was dangerous, but both of them worked hard and provided for their families. My mother was able to go to nursing school and my dad went off and fought in World War II. When they married they both committed to me becoming a professional. Education was a way out of the iron mines! At the time I was going to be a medical doctor, a dentist or an attorney. When I would go to my dentist he always encouraged me to become a dentist. I liked the people who worked for him and his patients seemed happy, so my decision was made. Forty years later I couldn't be happier!
Peter Rivoli, DDS. Owner of Rivoli Dental (Spencerport, N.Y.): I chose dentistry due to my early life in dentistry. My father was a general dentist and he owned a dental lab. When I was young (around 12 years old), I would go into work with him and work with the lab techs casting gold crowns. I was 16 when my father sold everything and went on to orthodontic school. He graduated orthodontic school the same year I graduated high school. I would go to the Eastman Dental Center with him and study throughout my senior year while he studied orthodontics. This ultimately led me on the path to be an orthodontist. This experience is why I let my patients shadow me at the office. I believe it was an early exposure to the dental lifestyle and work style that made me want to be a dentist/orthodontist.