Tell us a bit about your journey together as dentists.
AL: Ray and I met at UBC during our microbiology undergraduate degree. My
mom, Betty, managed the Oral Surgery clinic, and her desire to help patients and students alike was something I admired, so I decided to pursue dentistry. Ray was a year behind me—I might have influenced his decision to apply to dental school!
RF: The big thing in the 80s was finding a cure for HIV/AIDS, so I thought I would do graduate work. But after working a couple of summers in the laboratory, I realized that the environment wasn’t for me and I applied to dental school. Ange and I set up a practice in 1989, which we still work at today. In November 2021 we sold the practice to Dylan Olver, DMD 2017, who has been my patient since he was five. And now, he’s our boss!
What is it like being part of the Vancouver dental community for over 30 years?
RF: We’re very close to our patients, it’s not just about taking care of their teeth. We know about their lives, trials and tribulations—they share so much and it’s special.
AL: One of my first patients is still a patient of mine, and I also see four generations in one family. It’s truly an honour and privilege to look after people all these years.
Angelique, tell us about the British Columbia Dental Association (BCDA) Save a Smile Program.
I’ve been Chair of the Save a Smile Program for 30 years—some call me the Save a Smile lady. The program provides financial assistance to help children from low-income families across BC get access to dental care. BCDA partnered with UBC in 2009, and we host a Tooth Fairy Gala every other year to raise funds for the program. Sometimes families have to choose between paying rent or getting dental treatment for their kids. Save a Smile helps these families get back on their feet, and it’s so rewarding to see the impact this program continues to have on so many children. Since it’s inception, Save a Smile has funded treatment for over 2,600 kids in BC.
What is one of your fondest memories of your time spent at UBC?
RF: For me, it was the patients I met. I’ll never forget one man. I must have taken 20 impressions to get the perfect bridge. He bought me a mug after engraved with “master bridge maker.”
AL: The friendships I made. We had a tight-knit class, and I met one of my best friends in the program.