When choosing a career I was heavily influenced by the concept of having a flexible schedule so I could have family and work balance. My father is a dentist and he always seemed to have more time for family than my mother who is an accountant. While in my second year of college I decided to apply to dental school and within a few months I was accepted at UCLA's School of Dentistry.
It has been ten years since deciding I wanted to become a dentist and much has changed in my life since then. I now have a husband, a baby, and a career. Since having the baby my thoughts on the career part have changed. The baby is a full time, all night job, in itself. Dentistry does allow for a flexible schedule. Since having my son this past June I was able to take two months off and I am now working 3.5 days a week. What I didn't account for was the sleepless nights and the need for support outside sources to be able to make it to work each morning.
My parents and husband have been incredibly supportive throughout this new transition of having a baby. Both of my parents help watch my son while I am at work. My husband agreed to do a long commute to his job so we could be closer to my office and our child care. So today like every Thursday I was able to spend a full day at the dental office. Today though was an extra special day and it was because for the first night in nine months my son slept through the night.
Kari Ann Hong, DDS
1000 Newbury Road, Suite 190
Thousand Oaks, CA 91320
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