MY JOURNEY FROM UKRAINE TO AUSTIN
By Dr. Iana
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“We are living at a time when dentistry in America is undergoing a profound change. One thing I love about America, and American dentistry, is the culture of innovation and endless opportunity. This is particularly true of Austin – one of the most busy innovation capitals in the world, let alone the US economy. On the one hand, there’s the art of creating and cultivating a good smile. On the other hand, there’s the science – the innovation that technology brings.”
As many of my patients know, I was born and raised in a small town in the south of Ukraine. The country with a thousand-year old history that the world is learning of today. That in itself is interesting to people I meet today. In fact, it’s an important part of my outlook. Reflecting on the past has helped me understand my work, my calling, and my future as a dentist.
Growing up, dentistry was very painful and unpleasant. As everywhere, for most people, it’s about pain and shame, insecurities. Imagine, however, how much worse it can be in a region historically beset by public-health challenges. While some girls my age fantasized about glamorous careers in acting, modeling, fashion – I quietly dreamed of becoming a dentist. A different kind of dentist.
I had traumatic dental experiences throughout my childhood and felt like I could bring a change to this field and alter the perception of a dentist in the general population. When I moved to the states I decided to pursue this career. I studied dentistry in Boston at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. And even though the school curriculum was brutal, those were among the best years of my life.
What I have learned, and what excited me, was technology was transforming the profession. We are living in an era of service innovation that is focused on the future as much as the past. But while the gap in the U.S. and other regions throughout the world is deep and wide, dentistry here too has a challenge. When I tell people what I do today, I get one of two responses: “I hate going to the dentist,” and/or “do you accept my insurance?” Many people everywhere view dentistry as an unpleasant, transactional experience, rather than the kind of experience you get when visiting a spa, a wellness club, or a trusted counselor.
But there’s a silver lining. We are living at a time when dentistry in America is undergoing a profound change. One thing I love about America, and American dentistry, is the culture of innovation and endless opportunity. This is particularly true of Austin – one of the most busy innovation capitals in the world, let alone the US economy. On the one hand, there’s the art of creating a good smile. On the other, there’s the science, and the innovation that technology brings.
Most important of all, with so many options today and so many different dental offices, it was essential for me to create a unique dental space where my patients would really enjoy coming to. Most medical facilities are cold and sterile and create tension and fear. I wanted to create a space that would feel elegant, relaxed, beautiful, just like your favorite spa, restaurant, lounge – a place you always want to keep coming back to.
With Glint, I aim to provide state of the art dental care to the people of this city. I want them to learn what dentistry can be – as part of a movement I call positive dentistry – to understand the true value of a smile. Hope to see you soon.
Iana Elledge
DMD Dentistry
Tufts University School of Dentistry
Member: ADA, TDA, AACD