Category: Stuff

                          “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”

                                                                                                       ― Mahatma Gandhi

Earning my DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) degree in 1991 was quite an accomplishment.  After 4.5 years of undergraduate at UC Davis, 4 years at UCLA Dental School, California state board exam, the idea of “education” did not sound appealing.  I remember taking my last written board exam and singing “Hallelujah…  may I NEVER  take another exam for the rest of my life!”

A new DDS soon discovers that there is a “continuing education (CE) requirement “ to renew our license.  What??  50 hours of (CE) every 2 years?  You’ve got to be kidding me!  I just spent my last 9 years in school and I thought I was done! … I do not want to go back to school!!!

Fast forward 22.5 years and what I have realized is that I didn’t want to go back to school, however… I LOVE TO LEARN!!  I love learning new things… new technology, new business strategies, new procedures, new marketing skills.  My husband and I consider ourselves “continuing education junkies”, and we really look forward to our continuing education courses that typically include air travel to a cool city, a nice hotel and venue.  CE has honestly been our couples retreat… Mom would come babysit our boys when they were young while Scott and I traveled to SF or Seattle, Chicago, Scottsdale to name a few.  Our romantic getaways usually included long days of lecturing, rooms full of other dentists and we would spend our days learning new techniques and philosophies that would  aloow us to improve how we serve our patients.  Not too sexy for most couples… but perfect for a couple of dental nerds.

Scott recently posted on our FB page some photos from the Kois Center in Seattle where we have trained extensively and where he continues to mentor other doctors.  He says it beautifully…”It’s about CHANGING LIVES. Ours, and the patients we serve.”

Here is a partial list of what I have studied over the course of my dental career that I did NOT learn in dental school:

• Extensive Hands on Training in Cosmetic Dentistry and Veneers
• Invisalign – orthodontics
• CEREC Cad/Cam technology
• 3D Imaging/Radiography
• Kois Center Graduate Training (www.Koiscenter.com)
• Landmark Education – Life coaching
• Freedom FastTrack – Financial/ Business Coaching
• Next Level Practice – Team Coaching
• Chopra Center – Meditation and Yoga
• Facial Esthetics – Botox for TMJ therapy and cosmetic enhancement

My philosophy about learning has extended to every day of my life.  I subscribe to the belief that every person, situation and circumstance in our life is here to teach us something if we stay present enough to look for the lesson.  Learning for me is a way of living and it has allowed my life to be fun, exciting, inspirational, creative and full of possibility.

Ask yourself… what will YOU commit to learning today?

Leslie Strommer, DDS

New Image Dental

7510 Hazard Center Drive, SD, CA 92108

drleslie@newimagedentalcare.com

I never considered myself a “charitable” person.  I wasn’t highly involved in volunteer activities, whether it be for my children’s school, sports, or church.  I often felt guilty seeing the other parents and people so much more involved and giving of their time.  I justified my actions and told myself… “that’s just not me”.

Fast forward to 2014, I am currently serving on the board of the San Diego Dental Health Foundation for the next 3 years.   I am one of the founders of “Dentistry for Humanity”, a newly formed organization that is committed to inspiring SD CEREC dentists to utilize our technology to improve access to dental care to those in need within our community through service and contribution.  I have been behind the scenes bringing this project to life for the last 9 months and the end result will be the opportunity serve the dental needs of our local Veterans who are in dire need of the dentistry that will allow them to integrate back into society.

So, what happened to me?  The one who felt guilty not signing up for the volunteer activities for school and church is now taking on “giving back” in a whole new way!!  Rather than going into a long detailed description, I am going to summarize what I believe has caused my “philanthropic” transformation.

• Maturity… age, years on the planet.  Turning 50 later this year really has made me reflect on what is important.  After the awesome marriage, wonderful career and raising two wonderful young men… “What can I give?”  and “How can I serve?”, have become so much more relevant.
• Personal growth and development – Landmark Education and Deepak Chopra… the perfect combination of spiritual and personal transformation through self awareness and meditation.  Way too much to describe in a few sentences, but trust me when I say my life has never been more joyful and peaceful.
• Sharing my vision – Amazing things start to happen when you share your vision with the world. Doors open up that you wouldn’t have been able to orchestrate on your own.  Inspiration comes and the project takes on a life of it’s own.  It’s truly miraculous.
• Blind Faith – In taking on these projects, I have learned to have an intention for what I want to create, however, I am unattached to the outcome.  This approach allows me to let go of control and allow things to unfold naturally.
• A commitment to have FUN in the process – FUN in the form of laughter, light heartedness and joy are requirements of this transformation. Although I have pushed myself out of my comfort zone and will continue to do so…. I am committed to having FUN no matter what.

What I have learned is that giving back is a mindset.  It isn’t so much what you do, what matters is that you are doing things for others and looking to contribute in a way that works for you.  The real truth is that giving back feels so good!!  The rewards are beyond what material possessions and money can give.  It is a heartfelt satisfaction, quiet and purposeful that makes me feel like I matter in this world and I alone can make a difference.

What can you give of yourself to this world?  Don’t underestimate yourself!

Dr. Leslie Strommer

http://www.newimagedentalcare.com