Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyle Low.
Hi Kyle, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
“Plan your work, work your plan.” That phrase has guided me through the last 12 years of my life. In April 2010, just four months after proposing to my now wife, I decided to quit my job and pursue a career in dentistry. My fiancee was supportive since I had a plan and wasn’t going to “be a bum” as she put it. Before I could even apply to dental school, I would need to complete all the prerequisite science classes that I had avoided during my undergraduate time at UCLA. I was able to enroll in a post-baccalaureate program at Chapman University in Orange County geared for career changers with sights set on a career in health care. After 2.5 semesters at Chapman, four years at UCLA School of Dentistry, one year of residency, and two kids later, I was finally ready to begin my career as a general dentist. I spent the next 5 years as an associate at many different practices from Santa Monica to Apple Valley. Presently, I am the owner and dentist at Temple City Dental Care — a general practice serving the surrounding community. The ability to own my own business and have the ability to shape and guide a practice in my vision with my core values is what attracted me to dentistry.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I never had any major obstacles to overcome so to speak during my careers, such as severe illness or financial hardship. My obstacles were more mental and emotional. Dental school is very intense period. It involves many hours of didactic study, practicing and perfecting hand skills, and spending long hours in clinic. You inevitably fail before any achievement. Add on to the fact, I was in my mid-30s, almost ten years older than most of my classmates and trying to raise a family. Finding a balance between being a husband and father and being a diligent student was my biggest challenge. We are going through that again as I am a small business owner now. How do you balance a growing family and building a new business?
My wife really supported my dream to become a dentist and have my own practice. My goal became our goal. After she gave birth, she took on a lot on her own so I could focus on my studies. Looking back, I know I placed an extra burden on her. She placed her dreams on hold in order to make sure our family was taken care of. My success is a direct result of her shouldering so much for our family allowing me to focus on the path ahead. You never know if you’re making the right choices, but just rely on the information you have and go from there.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At Temple City Dental Care, our mission is to make a world-class difference and making dentistry fun. We believe excellent oral health goes beyond drilling and filling. We aim to educate our patients on all aspects of oral health and their links to one’s systemic health. A world-class difference can be made simply by an interaction, a smile, and the way someone treats you. At every visit, we aim to change the way our patients have felt in the past about coming to a dentist and view their appointments as spending time with friends.
Temple City Dental Care, founded by my mentor, Dr. Jack Von Bulow, has served the San Gabriel Valley since the 1970s. We offer all dental services ranging from preventative care to orthodontics to implant dentistry to sleep apnea treatments. All ages welcome!
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
As a proud UCLA alumni, of course I look to John Wooden for wisdom. A signed copy from Coach Wooden himself of John Wooden: An American Treasure by Steve Bisheff is for sure in my office.
Pricing:
- New patient exam/cleaning/xrays = $250
- Cleaning = $137
Contact Info:
- Website: www.templecitydental.com
- Instagram: @templecitydentalcare, @kslowdds
Image Credits
Headshots by Nicola Borland Photography www.nicolaborland.com
