March 20, 2017

Meet Fouy Chau of Encino Orthodontics and Dr. Fouy Chau, DDS, MS in Encino

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Fouy Chau.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I have been very fortunate in my life, from my upbringing until today. It wasn’t so for my parents. They were refugees from the Khmer Rouge genocide in Cambodia during the late 1970s. Today, they have raised 4 successful adults, a pharmacist, orthodontist, cardiologist, and a teacher. Much of what and why I do things is for my parents and siblings. I am forever grateful for my parents’ strength to never give up and growing up with the best siblings anyone can ask for. I have been blessed in this life.

Why did you choose to go into dentistry?
My teeth were very crooked as a child, so I wanted braces but didn’t qualify under the Denti-Cal program. Finally at age 17, my dentist referred me to the Assistance League of Long Beach, which gave braces to underprivileged children. I was one of the lucky kids chosen.

When I got my braces off in college, it changed my life and my self-confidence. I then switched from applying to medical school to dental school in a heartbeat, because I knew I only wanted to be an orthodontist. I have the privilege to provide that life-changing smile to all my patients. I love it!

I purchased my Encino Orthodontics office in Encino, CA a year after I graduated from residency. They always say that you will never feel ready to buy a practice, which I found to be true, but it was a great learning experience. Taking over a practice and being the “new” doctor was challenging. For the first few months I had experienced anxiety, not from orthodontics, but from managing a practice and all its requirements and responsibilities; rent, insurance, staff, hiring, materials, liabilities, payroll, and the list goes on. Now, many of my transferred patients have completed their treatment and have I finished several patients that I have started myself and that feels good. (www.encinoortho.com)

I was introduced to Dr. Dimitri Bizoumis, a pediatric dentist, through our mutual friends. Dr. Bizoumis was very generous in offering me a partnership. I felt very lucky and blessed to be given such trust and confidence and with that understanding, I vowed myself I would work hard and dedicate myself to the practice and patients, so that there would be no question he made the right decision to bring me aboard. Our pediatric and orthodontic practice is located in Huntington Beach, CA, so it is a beautiful place with great patients. Dr. Bizoumis has been practicing for more than 25 years, so he has much experience and expertise, from which I have learned a lot about running a practice and patient care. (www.childsdentist.com)

Has it been a smooth road?
When I first graduated orthodontic residency, I worked for a large dental corporation where I gained a lot of clinical experience. From working there, I learned and discovered how I may want to run my own orthodontic office in the future.

I was lucky enough to find and purchase my own orthodontic office in the beautiful city of Encino, CA. There was a steep learning curve compared to working for a dental corporation. Now I had to be responsible for the overhead, marketing, payroll, hiring, finances, and all of the patient management. Initially, all of the responsibilities were overwhelming, but after a while, things started fall in line and the office looked to run more smoothly and routinely. There’s still much to learn and grow, so I look forward to the future challenges that may come. It’s all worth it!

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Encino Orthodontics and Dr. Fouy Chau, DDS, MS – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
My teeth were very crooked as a child so once they were aligned, it changed my life. I was able to smile and express my joy and happiness by smiling without any hesitation. That truly freed me and increased my confidence dramatically. This created an intense passion for orthodontics and led me to want to create that life changing smile for others. I do not think that passion will ever wane.

I treat every patient as though they were family and aim to provide the best care I can for their smile.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Even though I have not traveled the world, I know Los Angeles is the best place on earth. That’s what I tell everyone I know. I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I did attend UC Berkeley for college, but northern California was just not the same. I came back to Los Angeles to study dentistry at UCLA. I was so happy to come back to sunny Southern California. My family is here in Los Angeles, the amazing weather, the best collection of different foods from around the world, the beaches, the mountains, and the different cultures.

I dislike the traffic, but I’ll take it with all the other perks.

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