James Chen, DMD 2016, owns Downstream Dental in Courtenay, BC, and will soon welcome fellow alum Karen Lin, DMD 2022, to his practice! We connected with Dr. Chen to learn about his passion for dentistry and the advice he has for current students.
What first got you interested in a career in dentistry?
In my second year of undergrad in biochemistry at UBC, I started panicking about what I was going to do after school. I thought I liked research, but I realized experiments can go on for months or years without yielding a result, which I didn’t find satisfying. The truth is, dentistry didn’t stand out to me; instead, I came upon it by process of elimination. I was exploring other careers but the more I thought about dentistry, the more it felt like a good fit. I shadowed a dentist who did an upper denture, and I remember the patient crying out for joy because he finally had the confidence to smile without covering his mouth. In that moment, I decided dentistry was for me because I loved the idea of making people smile.
Do you have a favourite memory of your time spent at UBC Dentistry?
I made a lot of friends at UBC Dentistry that I still have today. I know it sounds a bit dramatic, but no one truly understands what it’s like to go through dental school other than your peers, so we have a special bond.
Another favourite memory was participating in the Summer Student Practitioner Program. I went to a clinic in Williams Lake that specializes in pediatric dentistry. At the time, I wasn’t particularly interested in pediatrics, but at my current practice, the majority of my patients are kids, so it feels like I’ve come full circle!
What advice would you give to current dental students?
Students worry that their skills or knowledge aren’t as good as others in their class. I graduated nine years ago and was very anxious about certain procedures and making mistakes in the real world, but I can confidently say that everyone I know from my DMD class is doing well regardless of how they started. So, my first piece of advice is to not compare yourself to others and know that your skills will develop with time.
My second piece of advice is around owning a practice. I purchased half a practice in 2021 and bought the rest last year. Since then, I have survived office floods and computer system crashes which have been stressful, but I see them as growing pains that are definitely worth it. My advice is to do your best, brace yourself for the unknown and always surround yourself with supportive people.
Tell us about your experience with the Upper Island District Dental Society (UIDDS).
The UIDDS hosts two conferences a year—our mandate is to provide high quality education through local conferences—and we advocate for the dental profession from Nanaimo to the northern part of Vancouver Island. I took on the role of president when I had three young kids and wasn’t sure how long I could commit for, but I’m now in my third year and really enjoying it! I get to meet nice, intelligent people and have connected with many dental professionals on the island. The vibe on the island is very friendly—I feel like I can lean on most of the dentists I know or give them a call if I have a question.