Gerry Chu, DMD 1976, and Rita Chu, Diploma in Dental Hygiene 1975; BDSc 1997, left Vancouver for Salmon Arm, BC, nearly 50 years ago and have never looked back! We connected with the duo to learn about their time at UBC Dentistry and their incredible careers spanning five decades.

What inspired you to become a dental professional?

Gerry: I grew up thinking that I wanted to be a physician like my dad. But one summer at university, while driving trucks, I was introduced to another possibility. One of the guys I worked with had just gotten into dentistry and, although it was a profession I had never thought of, he convinced me to consider it. During the year, I was a dental patient at UBC, and I liked the clinic’s atmosphere.

One day the next summer, still at the same job, I had to make a delivery to UBC, so I decided to stop into Dental Admissions. The Assistant Dean, Dr. Doug Yeo, was available, and after talking to him and joining the Predental Club with a friend, I decided to change directions. I’m happy I did!

Rita: I grew up in Burns Lake, and when I was around 14, we started travelling to Prince George to visit the dentist. I was struck by the professional atmosphere in the dental office and thought it would be a great place to work. I looked into dental assisting but thought that dental hygiene was a better fit. Almost 20 years after obtaining my diploma in dental hygiene, I enrolled in the UBC Dental Hygiene Degree Completion Program, mostly for personal satisfaction. With a young family, moving to Vancouver was out of the question, so it took five years to complete the required two years.

What are some of your favourite memories of your time at UBC Dentistry?

Rita: Gerry and I met at UBC Dentistry when he threw a party for my class—the newest dental hygiene class—and the rest is history! Gerry is still organizing parties, and this year it’s for his 50th dental school reunion, which will be held in Salmon Arm.

Gerry: One of my fondest memories was working at the first Summer Dental Clinic, providing free dentistry to children from low-income households. My first mentor, Verne McShane, DMD 1974, led the clinic. UBC was a fun place in the summer! 

How did you end up in Salmon Arm?

Gerry: Rita and I loved living in Vancouver, but when Dr. McShane invited us to practice with him in Qualicum after graduation, it was the first time we considered leaving. But the idea of the ferry and the fact that we didn’t have family on the island didn’t appeal to us. A friend in Salmon Arm told us about their dire need for dentists and we liked the North Okanagan, so we decided to give it a try. Fifty years later and we’re still loving it here!

After working in a group, we opened our own practice in 1983, and now our daughter and son-in-law have taken over. Our daughter went to university in Vancouver and San Francisco and couldn’t wait to get back to Salmon Arm.

Rita: Salmon Arm is a tight community, full of opportunities and just big enough. I remember thinking that I’d never live in a small town again, but I think we found paradise!

What got you passionate about continuing dental education?

Gerry: With continued learning and proficiency, you will develop a love for dentistry. Then your careers will be more like hobbies than work.

When I first started practicing in 1976, there weren’t many specialists outside of Vancouver. That’s when I became a continuing education “junky.” Initially, my favourite was complex restorative dentistry because I wanted to provide my patients with the best care without them having to cover the cost of travelling to Vancouver. From there, I participated in study clubs in orthodontics, endodontics and implant dentistry.

Rita: One of the most exciting things about the dental profession is lifelong learning. Since the 70’s, the opportunities for continuing education, especially at UBC, have been great.

What advice would you give to current students?

Gerry and Rita: Learn everything you can before you leave school. While at school, challenge yourself with the most difficult cases and opportunities because they will help you in the long run. Always remember to give back to the profession in any way you can. With continued learning and proficiency, you will develop a love for dentistry. Then your careers will be more like hobbies than work.