The Doctors Are In
When I am not hanging around theMangoTimes, I can be found at my dental office helping people to smile. Over the years, my patients will often ask why I became a dentist. By now, many of you will remember that I am not the first dentist in the Fletcher family. In fact, when my big brother retired in 2020, the people of Grass Valley lost out on the best dentist in the California foothills. I also lost my personal dentist. The mantle of family dentistry was officially transferred from my brother, Dr. Scott Fletcher, to me. I became the family dentist.
Although my brother was a huge influence in my life and a great example, my career in dentistry actually goes back to childhood. Now, before any of you write into the MangoTimes editing desk, allow me to clarify here that it was not because of Hermey the Elf on Rudolph's Christmas special. Like my brother, we were both influenced by our family dentist: Dr. Kenny Frangadakis.
Dr. Kenny had a big impact on our family. In the early to mid-70s, my big sister Pam worked for him as his dental assistant for years. My mom worked in his office as his bookkeeper. Once, when I was eight years old, my 16-year-old sister drove me to his office. As a newer driver, she accidentally hit the gas pedal instead of the brake, and we leapt over the curb and crashed into his waiting room. Dr. Kenny was unfazed. His only response was to accuse our family of beginning the trend for "drive-thru" dentistry.
Dr. Ken Frangadakis - Photo September 2013
But aside from employing family members and auto accidents, Dr. Kenny played a fundamental and hands-on role in my career. He was one of the professionals I pursued to write letters of recommendation for me when I applied for my undergrad education as well as my doctoral work at the University of the Pacific Dental School. His colleagues and friends were some of my instructors while I was in dental school, and I found out that he served as one of the test evaluators when I sat for my state dental board examinations. Dr. Kenny positioned himself along many points of my path to become a dentist.
During my career, I have had the opportunity to cross paths with Dr. Kenny on multiple occasions. Before he retired, I loved stopping by his original Cupertino dental office, which now sits in the shadows of Apple Computer’s mothership. From crab feeds to memorial services, alumni events, or just a quick phone call during the 2020 pandemic to get my bearings, Dr. Kenny has been a touchstone for me and my career. As every interaction, this mentor, colleague, and friend took the time to ask what was going on in my life, he always had a few words of encouragement, always shared a few funny memories, and never failed to remind me to take great care of my patients.
So, why did I choose dentistry? It was the example from both Dr. Kenny and my big brother Scott that initially pushed me toward dentistry. Dental school and 28 years of experience have taught me how to fix teeth, but knowing how to take good care of people was largely caught by observing these two men, and I am thankful for the impact and influence they have both had on my career.
Quietly making noise,
Fletch
