Home: Happy Valley, OR. Age: Forty-something. Profession: Pediatric dentist. Organization: Sunnyside Dentistry for Children. Significant other: My wife, Jessie. Alma mater: Brigham Young University. Languages spoken: English, conversational Portuguese and conversational Spanish. Recent professional development: Bioclear training. What’s been your big (or biggest) leap? Opening and growing my own pediatric dental practice. Hobbies: Surfing, golf, travel and spending time outdoors. Recent travel or adventure: My wife and I revisited Brazil, retracing places where I lived in my twenties. Our most memorable stop was Ilha Grande, a roadless island accessible only by boat, where a power outage, tropical heat and some intimidating spiders convinced us to cut our jungle adventure short and retreat to an air-conditioned hotel on the mainland. Last book read: The Anxious Generation, by Jonathan Haidt. What one word would your closest friend use to describe you? Adventurous. What is your greatest fear? Losing a loved one. What natural talent have you neglected? Playing the piano. What occupation, other than your own, do you most admire? Orthodontists and oral surgeons. What is your favorite place (or way) to spend money? Travel. What ingredient is essential to your perfect vacation? My wife. What was your first paying job? Golf caddy at Eugene Country Club. What movie have you repeatedly watched? Independence Day. What’s prominently featured on your home or office wall? Surf paintings. Besides your parents, who has had the greatest influence on your life? My uncle, Matt Wilson. What’s the best advice you received growing up? Begin with the end in mind. What’s the best advice you received in your career? The quality of your life is determined by the quality of the difficult conversations you are willing to have. What personal circumstance has had the greatest influence on your life? Living in Brazil for two years before college. What is your big idea? Helping children develop positive, lifelong attitudes toward dental care. What widely held belief do you reject? That going to the dentist has to be a bad experience.
