Hidden Gems: Meet Lauren Frisch of Chula Vista Orthodontics

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Frisch

Hi Lauren, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today. 
Many of my classmates in dental school knew they wanted to be a dentist or a doctor from a young age. That was definitely not me! I was extremely afraid of the dentist growing up. I only began to consider a career in dentistry after several volunteer experiences in healthcare and social services crystallized in my mind the nature of the work that I wanted to pursue. One transformative service trip allowed me to travel to Panama and triage patients for temporary medical and dental clinics in rural communities. I felt after that trip that healthcare gave me the sense of purpose that I had been wanting in a career, and I found myself drawn to dentistry in particular. While studying dentistry at UCSF, I was awarded multiple fellowships to continue doing service and conduct research in underserved communities. I continue to enjoy volunteering to this day. It was also during my time at UCSF that I began working at Align Technology, the company that created Invisalign. Orthodontics was rapidly evolving with new technology, and I was excited to be at the dawn of an era where these technologies could be used in new and exciting ways. I completed my orthodontics training at UCSF and practiced in Los Angeles before moving to San Diego, where I purchased a practice of my own in 2022. 

Two things have really helped guide my path to where I am now: incredible mentorship and being open to new ideas and opportunities that presented themselves. I observe the immense pressure placed on children to choose a life path early on, but for me, it was not having selected a path that allowed me to have experiences across a variety of fields, cultivate relationships with a diverse group of mentors, and ultimately discover my true passions and career goals. I am so thankful for this journey that has brought me here, and excited to see where it leads next! 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
All things considered, I would say my path has been smooth. Although that does not mean that it came without challenges! 

I mentioned earlier that I was terrified of the dentist growing up. In particular, the idea of working with blood or doing injections was extremely daunting. As part of pre-dental requirements, you have to shadow in a private practice. It’s a bit embarrassing to admit, but I actually fainted multiple times while shadowing after seeing injections on patients! I had to overcome the fear to achieve my goals, so I continued to shadow frequently and eventually conquered my fear entirely. 

Another challenge that I faced was modernizing all of the systems in my office. A big goal of mine in purchasing my practice was to embrace new and emerging technology, which involves a digital workflow. That was a huge project, given that the existing systems were all on paper! Over 6 months my team and I completely digitized our patient charts and records. We got new computers for the office and began using a 3D scanner to do digital treatment planning. Of course, with any digital system comes digital challenges, but my team and I worked together to address them quickly as they arose. I was surprised to learn how much of being a successful business owner was just basic problem solving. Challenges will always arise, so maintaining calm under pressure, avoiding over-complication, and preparing for the unexpected are key to ensure a successful outcome. 

We’ve been impressed with Chula Vista Orthodontics, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am an orthodontist, so I specialize in creating healthy, beautiful smiles using braces, Invisalign, and other appliances. Chula Vista Orthodontics was originally founded in 1956 and has a deep history in the Chula Vista community. I was drawn to my office for its incredible team culture and the close relationships between our team and patients. Our priority was and has always been the patient experience and providing top-notch personalized care. When I took over, we began to integrate cutting-edge technology to streamline and improve our patient experience. I carefully invested in systems that allow us to improve our accessibility, space out appointments monitor care remotely for patients on deployment or who move out of state, and simplify payment plans to break down financial barriers to care. We are constantly examining our patients’ experience and looking for ways to do better by them as a guide to direct our growth. 

Any big plans?
We have so many exciting changes on the horizon! For the last year, I have been working on re-designing the office space to optimize workflows, reflect my treatment style and personality, and offer a welcoming space for patients of all ages. Our remodel has been closely linked with rebranding, which has been an incredibly fun project! Our new office logo is a happy little lemon, which is a staple here in Chula Vista. We have been growing our online presence with a new website, social media, and various video projects to reflect our new digital goals. 

Our office is very rapidly growing and evolving to meet the needs of our patients. I love seeing the space start to reflect more of my personality and the sense of calm I am hoping to give patients when they come. 

As I move forward in my career, I have also found it very rewarding to teach or provide mentorship when possible. I have had several externs rotate through my office and have given lectures at UCLA, Rady’s Children’s Hospital, and UCSF. I hope to be a role model for aspiring orthodontists, dentists, and dental assistants and I would love to continue to provide the type of guidance and encouragement that allowed me to accomplish my own goals. 

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chulavistaorthodontics.com
• Instagram: @chulavistaorthodontics
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61553035425584&mibextid=kFxxJD

Image Credits
Lauren Frisch
Kelsea Buddo