Angelyn Chan, DMD 1975, practiced dentistry in Delta, BC, for 48 years before retiring in 2023. Her daughter Emily Thong, DMD 2017; MSc Dip Orthodontics 2021, is currently practicing in Vancouver and Abbotsford. We connected with Drs. Chan and Thong to learn about their time at UBC Dentistry and how their passion for dentistry runs in the family.
What inspired you to become a dentist?
AC: My father inspired me. He wanted to be a dentist himself, but the Japanese occupation of Singapore destroyed his plans. Luckily, he passed on his dexterity skills to me! Dentistry was the perfect career for me because it offered me a great work-life balance. It gave me the opportunity to spend quality time with my family and raise three children, as well as running my own dental practice for 43 years!
ET: I was inspired by both my mother and grandfather to go into dentistry – like both of them, I love working with my hands. I decided to specialize in orthodontics in part because of how transformative my own orthodontic treatment experience was. Nothing is more rewarding than helping my patients smile with confidence!
Do you have a favourite memory of your time spent at UBC Dentistry?
AC: I was one of three women (alongside Peggy Busch and Carell Keath) in a class of 40 students, so the boys and their sense of humour always kept us laughing! A memory I’ll never forget was the infamous “friendship day,” when we practiced giving local anesthesia to each other. My clinical partner froze both sides of my jaw, which resulted in me biting down very hard on my tongue. Ouch! The oral surgeon assessed me and laughed, joking he may have to put a stitch or two in it. That experience taught me to never give patients anesthesia on both sides of the jaw at the same time!
ET: I participated in a few dental missions as a student, including one in Williams Lake on a First Nations Reserve, which was a highlight for me. Giving back to the community is always rewarding.
Angelyn, how has dentistry evolved since you first started practicing?
AC: The biggest change has been dental materials. When I first started working, we heavily used amalgam for restorations and porcelain fused to metal crowns. By the end of my career, there were much more advanced and esthetic materials for crowns, such as Emax and same-day milled crowns. We also took impressions by mixing two scoops of alginate powder with water to form a putty, but now we use digital scans which is much more pleasant for the patient, and a lot less messy!
Emily, tell us a bit about your Summer Student Practitioner Program (SSPP) experience.
ET: My mom was my SSPP mentor, at her dental practice in North Delta. It was amazing to see her in her element and observe how she interacted with patients. Patients were so at ease with her—she treated generations of patients’ families, which reflected how much of a caring, compassionate and thoughtful practitioner she was. Patients brought their kids and over time their grandkids! During my SSPP, I honed my hand skills and time management skills. My mom was the most stylish dentist I’ve ever seen—she always wore high heels to work!
What advice do you have for current dentistry students?
AC: Be the sunshine! Be positive and ask as many questions as you can. Join study clubs and expose yourself to different areas of dentistry. I would also say invest in a good pair of loupes to help with your ergonomics—as someone who practiced for almost 50 years, I should know!
ET: I agree with my mom—ask questions and be a lifelong learner through continuing education opportunities. Find a great dental mentor and also stay in touch with your dental classmates to help each other through the highs and lows of your career. Get involved in organized dentistry if possible!
What do you enjoy outside of dentistry?
AC: I’ve been retired for two years and I’m busier than ever! I enjoy being with my five grandchildren and I also like to travel and practice yoga.
ET: I love to cook and bake!