From the time she was young, Karen Lin, DMD 2022, knew she wanted to be a dentist. We caught up with Dr. Lin to learn about her time at UBC Dentistry and her current role as a dentist in the military.

What got you interested in pursuing dentistry with the military?

Being a dentist was always a childhood dream of mine. In elementary school we were assigned a project where we shadowed a profession we were interested in. I shadowed a dentist and really enjoyed the experience.

I ended up going to UBC for my undergraduate degree and studied Integrated Sciences. In my fourth year I considered going into nursing, but decided to try for dentistry since it was always my dream. And so far, it’s worked out well!

I decided to go the military route because I wanted to try something different. I have my entire career to work in a private practice, so practicing with the military felt like a unique opportunity and a chance to experience something else. Being stationed in Victoria means most of my patients are part of the navy, but some are also in the army or air force. It’s been nice to meet so many different people.

Do you enjoy living in Victoria?

I love Victoria! I grew up in Vancouver and was worried about moving to the Island because I thought maybe the pace would be too slow, but I love being here and will most likely stay. I enjoy everything being within walking or biking distance, and have established a community here.

What advice would you give to current students?

Don’t be too hard on yourself! This is probably the last time you’ll be a student, so try your best to enjoy this last stretch of school life.

What do you like most about working as a dentist?

Being a dentist means I have never ending learning opportunities, and there’s such a broad spectrum of things you can do. I also genuinely think teeth are cool! You learn a lot from someone just by looking at their teeth.

Do you have a favourite memory from your time spent with UBC Dentistry?

Battle of the Bands was always a highlight for me—sometimes I participated by playing piano or tambourine. The practices leading up to the event were always fun and a nice break from studying, and the event itself was a great opportunity to listen to music, interact with professors and spend time with students in other years. I also went camping with some classmates almost every year, which was always a great time.

What sparked your interest in taking on the role of Dental Undergraduate Society Alumni Representative?

I was eager to learn more about life after school especially since I was in the military program, so I was curious about what it would be like to work as a dentist in private practice. The alumni events were always a highlight and I enjoyed learning about different pathways people take after graduation.

What might people be surprised to learn about you?

To be honest, people are often surprised that I work in the military! I was also a late bloomer when it came to bike riding—I only learned how to properly ride a bike during my undergrad. Embarrassing, but at least it happened!