1. Tell us about your job at 1-800-DENTIST and what you love most about it.
Well, I get to do lots of things here. I've worked as a Matching Specialist on the Web team for almost 8 years, and that's been great because the Web is constantly changing and our procedures are always updated. That's given me the wonderful opportunity to analyze and create procedures when new programs are implemented. There's a lot of creativity involved in doing that because you're basically creating something original - from scratch.
2. What kind of skills do you need to do your job well?
You need to be able to think on your feet and understand beyond what people are actually saying. Sometimes people don't necessarily know how to express what they need, so as a Matching Specialist, you need to be able to pinpoint certain words in order to fully understand and help them. I'm also good on the computer and good with technical things and numbers. My mind is very analytical, so I guess that's why I really enjoy working on computers!
3. What's your idea of a great night out? A Lakers, Dodgers, or Kings game, Live music at the Viper Room or a movie at the ArcLight ... ?
My idea of a great night out is a BBQ on the beach, watching fireworks - like on the Fourth of July. I love feeling the cool ocean breeze at night.
4. Name one food you could eat every day for the rest of your life.
Is it could or should? (laughs) Well, I could eat pasta with olive oil, garlic and tomato with lots of parmesan cheese. ... But then I'd start feeling guilty because of the carb thing! I also love fruit, especially blueberries - except when peaches are in season. The peaches at the Santa Monica Farmer's Market are divine!
5. What would you tell a consumer who's afraid to see the dentist or hasn't been in awhile?
Normally, I would let them know that we're happy to find them a dentist who works well with anxious patients and will put them at ease. I tell them that we can find dentists who offer things like nitrous oxide or oral sedation ... it depends on whether they want to go under completely or just be mildly sedated. But there are so many different reasons why people haven't been to the dentist ... so whatever they need we'll help them find a dentist!
6. Island vacation or Alaskan adventure?
Island vacation! I've been to the Caribbean, the Virgin Islands, Hawaii. ... But I'd have to say that I like Hawaii the best because it's so modern and there's so much to do to keep busy.
7. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I love California! In all the places I've been, I really think California has the best weather and you have the opportunity to live on the beach - that's my desire - to have a magnificent home on the beach. No other place in the world has such great weather and so much to do. Places like Florida and Hawaii are great, but sometimes it can get a little hot. We have a cool breeze. I'd love to have a house in La Jolla, with at least 5 acres of land for my food forest. I'm really into permaculture, which is basically creating an agricultural landscape that's self-sustaining. You can basically create a food forest with things like fruit trees and other edible plants on your land.
8. Why would you recommend 1-800-DENTIST to friends and family?
What I really like about 1-800-DENTIST is the ease. It's so effortless to find a dentist who offers everything you're looking for. People call us who have insurance and don't know which dentists offer the amenities they are interested in. This information isn't included on their list. And with 1-800-DENTIST, people have instant access to dentist's info - what services they offer, what their dental office is about ... if they cater to families or kids. Other websites don't offer what 1-800-DENTIST offers.
