| Dentist celebrates 10th anniversary in city An article published in the Cypress Section of the
OC Register Community Close-Up |
Dr. Harish Hegde will celebrate his tenth anniversary of operating his dental office at 9111 Valley View Street, #106, in Cypress, on December eighth. His sojourn began in India, where he studied to become a dentist, then proceeded to Canada, where he took advanced training and the board exams which qualified him to practice there.
While in Canada, Hegde met his former wife, a pediatrician, and the couple moved to Japan (her homeland) for two years. His circuitous route then continued on to Chicago ... where she landed a position ... and he found it necessary to take U.S. board exams. Onward he traveled to U.C.L.A., where he passed the required tests, then back to Chicago.
California struck Hegde as a desirable place to live, so he eventually put down roots here. He has no regrets. The tennis enthusiast finds the climate to his liking. And his assistant Gabriela (Gabby) Alba, who has been with him since 1984, is so knowledgeable and in tune with him, she practically reads his mind, he said.
Alba often joins Hegde on trips to conventions where they learn about the latest dental equipment. An admitted techno-junky, Hegde never leaves without placing orders. Gabby, once lacking Hegde's enthusiasm for acquiring and learning how to use the new equipment, overcame her discomfort and masters each new acquisition.
Hegde and his assistant also manage to find time to give free dental exams (on a regular basis) to children in the Head Start program at Cypress College
I asked what drew Hegde to dentistry. "I've always liked working with my hands, even from an early age," he said. "I carved a chess set out of wood when I was a boy and later took up painting. Since dentistry is also an art form, it appealed to me. I enjoy reconstructing teeth to be aesthetic as well as useful."
Maria Quintero, who runs the front office, has worked for Hegde since 1992. The trio, who often lunch together in a snug back office and seldom miss watching their favorite "soap," are giving it up to welcome you from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for refreshments, balloons for the children... and to say hello!
Who knows? You may get a peek at their newest "toy," an anesthetic wand that has much smaller needles than those commonly used. They say it offers patients greater ease and comfort ... yet often causes little to no numbness to one's face, lips and muscles of expression. Now that, I'd like to see! |
by Petra Dean
a freelance writer
(714) 995-8332 |
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