June’s Tidbits Birthday Girls are dentists Dr. Palmira Testa and Dr. Mikenah Joy Vega of River Oaks Dental Arts. Each month we celebrate a local business owner on her special day.
Happy birthday! How many candles are you blowing out this year?
Dr. Joy: 34!
Dr. Testa: 59 (Geez! Where did the years go! My 10th anniversary of 49!)
How are you celebrating?
Dr. Joy: I have no idea! Every year my fiancé surprises me with an experience or trip.
Dr. Testa: Likely just a nice quiet dinner with my family.
You are dentists who lead the team at River Oaks Dental Arts, what’s the best part of your job?
Dr. Joy: We have truly wonderful patients! I love solving their dental issues and bantering throughout our appointments! I enjoy making the dental process a fun one.
Dr. Testa: The best part of my job has been to help inspire my team to see and understand what quality care and customer service means! To help treat people the way we want to be treated. To be inspired to give the best of ourselves to those who trust us and that we have the privilege to care for. The other best part of my job is to help our patients who have become friends/family to achieve optimal health and feel like someone cared enough for them to give them their best! I am so blessed to have been gifted with the artistic eye to help them achieve the healthy beautiful smiles they have always wanted! That is bliss!
What made you want to become a dentist?
Dr. Joy: My mother was a dental assistant so I grew up going to the office often. It naturally became my calling.
Dr. Testa: Funny! I did not grow up wanting to be a dentist. I wanted to be a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. I had knee issues when I was a kid, and had to give up running track because of it. I always thought I would be in Medicine. My older sister always wanted to be a dentist. I was her patient while she was in dental school and had an uncle who was also a dentist. In my summers in college I worked in Medicine, did summer programs in Medicine (new born nursery, orthopedic surgery, working in Pathology (in the morgue))…all the while being my sister’s patient. Then I became more unsure so after graduating I took a year off and worked at MD Anderson doing research for a brilliant PhD in tumor suppressor gene research. I decided that the lab life was not for me. After that I was sure that I had fallen in love with dentistry and the medicine of dentistry! That is why I chose to remain a general dentist…because I love all of it! And my favorite part is we get to treat people who are not sick! So we get to know them and see them often for their wellness checks etc…so the friendships and relationships have NEVER allowed me to regret a day of becoming a dentist!
What are the challenges and surprises of being female in your field?
Dr. Joy: I used to get imposter syndrome in the first half of my career because it was evident that they weren’t used to a young woman as their doctor. I felt as though I had to emulate men. I’ve learned to embrace my femininity and I’ve built my brand around being my most authentic self and patients are very receptive to that.
Dr. Testa: Those challenges were more significant when I was a recent graduate. Dentistry was a very male dominated profession. When I was young (and I am short!) many patients would tell me…”Little girl I want to see the real doctor.” Luckily I love a challenge so stepped up to show them that I would be their best choice. I think in general women have a different advantage. Usually our hands are smaller to be able to fit into an already small space. I feel women, instinctively, have more empathy and compassion and patience than most men. So if we learn how to demonstrate that, the patients will take note and sky is the limit!
What makes women good dentists?
Dr. Joy: Our intuition! We naturally are dialed into the unspoken feelings and moods of others.
Dr. Testa: Women are somewhat more open to critique. Self assessment and being critiqued. And because of that I think it is easier and easier to get better! MOST important…communication and listening!
What’s the latest in cosmetic dentistry technology?
Dr. Testa: The trend has definitely been conservative treatment and functional treatment. Not cutting as much on teeth if it can be avoided. This is why orthodontics has been so instrumental in understanding that the foundation and physics, or engineering of the bite, and structural balance, allows for longevity. What has allowed patients to understand this more is digital design, and in-mouth “test drives” like a DSD Mock Up (Digital Smile Design). We can digitally plan and that allows for more predictable outcomes.
Three things women are doing wrong with their overall dental health.
Dr. Joy: Brushing daily with abrasive whitening toothpastes – you’re better off getting whitening in office to not strip your teeth. Sipping on acidic drinks throughout the day like lemon water, apple cider vinegar, energy drinks. Not getting hormones checked! Your hormones affect your gum health; when we go through menopause or pregnancy things get out of whack.
How many times a year do we need to see a dentist?
Dr. Joy: Depends on the person!
Dr. Testa: At least one. Ideally two. Sometimes more if there are problems that need significant supervision like gum disease.
Finish this sentence. A smile can make a woman feel…
Dr. Joy: Radiant!
Dr. Testa: Beautiful, happy, complete!
River Oaks Dental Arts
2202 Waugh Drive
Houston, TX 77006
@riveroaksdentalarts
Want to be the next Tidbits Birthday Girl? Tell us why at submissions-houston@gotidbits.com.