Meet Nicholas Chiu of Lucid Dental

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicholas Chiu.

Hi Nicholas, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hello, my name is Dr. Nicholas Chiu. Most people would be surprised to hear that when I was young, I was afraid to go to the dentist. I heard horror stories of kids screaming from the pain they would have to endure, so I actively avoided the dentist. Unfortunately, I also ate a lot of candy and disregarded brushing and flossing for most days; as a result, I had so much pain from cavities. Once I finally got over my fear and got all my fillings done, I vowed from then on to take my oral hygiene seriously and started brushing regularly and moderating my diet. Then, my life transformed once more when I got braces, correcting my years of embarrassment from showing my teeth to actively smiling whenever I get the chance. Through these experiences, I decided, since high school, that I wanted to pursue a career in a field I was passionate about, Dentistry!

I decided to study at CSULB since it was closeby and I could save money for my future goal of attending dental school. There, I studied hard to graduate with a 4.0 GPA and received my Molecular Cellular Biology and Physiology degree. I was accepted into UCSF School of Dentistry on a scholarship and took my journey to San Francisco. There I learned and practiced as much as I could so I felt confident in my skills despite graduating in the midst of COVID-19. After 4 years of practice, I decided I was ready to open my own dental office to start treating and caring for patients.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road to dentistry has not been completely smooth. For one instance, the quarantine due to Covid-19 occured during the last few months of my 3rd year in dental school. This took away 3 months of our training as well as greatly impacted our protocols during my last year of dental school. Thankfully, my school instituted programs and policies to ensure we received all our proper training before graduating despite us not being able to physically walk in cap and gown.

Afterwards, I found work up in northern California where I worked 2 years for a great office and boss. I developed my skill set and became a proficient practitioner. However, I started becoming homesick and decided to move back home to Orange County. For two years I worked at several offices but faced challenges of micro-managing bosses and unethical treatments being performed on patients. I was unhappy that I could not provide quality and ethical treatment to my patients so I left those offices. Ultimately, I decided to open my own office so I can provide honest dental care and have good relationships with my patients.

We’ve been impressed with Lucid Dental, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I named my practice “Lucid Dental” because the definition of “lucid” means to have clear-understanding. I wanted this to be the cornerstone of my office because I often hear patients complain that they cannot trust their dentist or feel they are being cheated. What sets my office apart is that I take the time to explain why I diagnose certain treatments and never pressure patients to accept treatment if they are not comfortable. I take the time to take pictures and illustrate the outcomes of each option so patients have the full comprehension to make an informed decision.

How do you think about luck?
I don’t believe in luck but I do believe in hard work and God watching over me. For all my life, I have been a devout Christian and believe in the notion of working hard for God and the blessing in my life are a gift from Him.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://luciddentaloc.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luciddental/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61580593837356
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/lucid-dental-santa-ana