Category Archives: Community Outreach

Pride 50th anniversary: Five ways you can be a better ally dentist

At 1:20 a.m. on June 28, 1969, eight policemen arrived at the Stonewall Inn and announced “Police! We’re taking the place!” At the time, police raids at gay bars were nothing new — for years, the police would overtake queer establishments to make arrests, extort money, and blackmail LGBTQ+ individuals seeking safe spaces, but this time was different.… Read More »

‘Weird but familiar’: Back to practicing full time

It was May 8, my first day back to work full time after Florida lifted the mandatory emergency only dental order put in place mid-March. I felt strangely nervous to be back, even though I had been rotating in for emergency services for the past six weeks. However, we only had four people in the office, and getting… Read More »

The unique impact of COVID-19 on the LGBTQ+ community

In a matter of several weeks, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a drastic impact on the way we interact with each other. With fear and unanswered questions, the world has been forced to take a deep look into the way our political and healthcare systems work. Throughout history, the LGBTQ+ community has always been disproportionately affected during changes… Read More »

Feeling anxious about coronavirus? Remember to reach out to fellow dentists

The past week has been one strange week. Many didn’t see this coming the way it did, and I doubt anyone expected state heads to take such measures to ensure public safety. I’m talking about COVID-19, and the toll it has taken on dentistry, but you probably guessed that already. It was late afternoon on March 19, when… Read More »

From laying asphalt to dentistry: My road to public health

It was another exciting day in the summer of 2011 working for the City of Oregon City Public Works laying asphalt, flagging traffic, crack sealing streets and any other various tasks assigned to us by the city. My dad had been an engineer for Oregon City, so during high school and college I had worked part-time for different… Read More »

Are dentists monsters?

Can you relate? You’re having a pleasant conversation with someone you just met. Then the question “And what do you do for a living?” Proudly, you respond, “I am a dentist and you?” Too often, the response can be “No offense, but I hate the dentist.” Depictions of dentists in popular culture have often been negative. Let’s face… Read More »