Ersilia Coccaro, DMD 2012, is excited to welcome a student to her practice in Kelowna this summer as part of the UBC Dentistry Summer Student Practitioner Program (SSPP). We connected with Dr. Coccaro to learn about her time at UBC Dentistry and why she got involved with the SSPP.
What got you interested in a career in dentistry?
I always loved science and thought I was going to be a professor. I did my undergraduate degree in biochemistry and went on to get a PhD, but I wanted to transition to a career that was more hands on and involved working with people. I took the Dental Aptitude Test (DAT) and fell in love with carving. On top of that, my family is very entrepreneurial, so I liked the idea of running my own business.
Do you find your biochemistry degrees applicable to your dentistry career?
I wouldn’t say there’s a direct translation, but I think graduate studies changed the way I think about and approach problems. My biochemistry background helped me understand material sciences better, and I approach treatment planning differently because of it, so I’d definitely say my science degrees enabled my success in dentistry.
You started mentoring UBC Dentistry students in 2019 as part of the SSPP. What got you interested in participating in the program as a mentor?
I love teaching, so this felt like a great way to fuel my passion for teaching while also helping students get some real-world experience.
There’s a steep learning curve after you leave school and go into clinical practice—you lose that feeling of being in a protected cocoon. After graduation, I did a general practice residency, which helped me a lot with the transition. However, I still remember feeling overwhelmed when I started as an associate.
The pace in school is slower, so I like helping students experience a quicker pace with a higher volume of patients. There are also some procedures you won’t come by very often in school, so I like to support students by exposing them to some of these.
Did you participate in the SSPP when you were a student?
I did! I had a three-week placement in Kelowna with a general dentist and three weeks with a prosthodontist. There were fewer hands-on opportunities with the prosthodontist, so I took the chance to ask as many questions as I could. Years later, the prosthodontist’s wife told me I asked so many questions that her husband would come home at night and do research to make sure he had the right answers for me!
Do you have a favourite memory of your time spent at UBC Dentistry?
When I was in the DMD program, the first two years were with the medicine students, so we had to take some tough classes. I started a study group on human anatomy for the DMD students on Saturday mornings. One week, some of the medicine students started joining us, which I thought was funny—imagine the medicine students joining in on my extra study sessions! I ended up becoming close friends with some of the medicine students in the study group.
I also loved the UBC Dentistry faculty. I had a full circle moment a few years ago when one of my professors retired and moved to Kelowna and became one of my patients!
What did you enjoy most about your general practice residency (GPR) at the University of Alberta?
It was hard work, but it helped me manage medically compromised patients, and I became more comfortable with oral surgery. I received my conscious intravenous sedation certificate, an important tool that helps me treat anxious patients. I always encourage people to do a GPR.
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I enjoy cooking! I was born in Italy, and my parents and brother both own restaurants, so it’s a real passion for my family.
I also love coffee and make an excellent cappuccino—I always have one next to my desk. I enjoy a cup every morning while reading through various news and celebrity news sites. My staff and friends know if they have any questions about current events or celebrity happenings, I can assist with the answer!