Scott Strommer, DDS, practices at New Image Dental in San Diego, CA. A graduate from the UCLA School of Dentistry, Dr. Strommer recently became a graduate of the Kois Center in Seattle. The doctor has been a member of DOCS Education for the past 11 years. How did you choose dentistry? I always knew I would end up in healthcare. During my undergraduate studies I was thinking of going into medicine, but the more I looked into becoming a physician the more interesting dentistry became. I decided to go forward with my dental education. Dentistry afforded me more freedom clinically, from a business standpoint and provided me with more opportunities. I felt medicine was structured and run by big hospitals and programs, in which I had no interest. What do you like most/least about dentistry? I really enjoy how dentistry has changed for me over the year. I still have opportunities ahead of me after 20 years. I get to work with my wife at a great practice. A lot of freedom has come my way with the services I can offer, like oral sedation and Same Day Smiles, and it’s very motivating to be able to do so much work in one day. The last few years have been slower for me, but my wife and I have been able to improve the practice by taking more CE courses in implant dentistry and other courses. Sedation goes along with this quite well. What are the biggest challenges facing dentistry today? From an economic perspective, I am concerned about the people who need dental care and can’t afford it. We all know that some patients in need of a lot of dental care due to their history may not be able to pay for the options that would be ideal for them. Who is/was your mentor in the dental world? I consider Dr. John Kois, the Founder and Director of the Kois Center, as my dental and life mentor. I also truly value DOCS Education—it is wonderful having the ability to evaluate risk. Both organizations are very clear and helpful in managing the patient’s needs and wants.
