Page 13 - FINAL San Diego Woman interactive

San Diego Woman Top Dentist

Dr. Lilia Larin, DDS

By Judith A. Habert
Photos Courtesy of Dr.Lilia Larin

Dr. Lilia Larin was born in Dr. Larin studied dentistry of bringing Latino professionals
Monclova Mexico, a small town in Mexico and after she grad- together was accomplished with
known for its huge steel factory. uated in 1982, she came across the founding of the San Diego
Her dad returned to Mexico the border to start the process Hispanic Dental Association
after graduating as an architect of revalidating her license Chapter. When she started her
from Cornell University in New in the US. After passing her career less than 1% of dental
York. His career took off and written exams, the next hurdle students were Latin. Today there
he became the City Planner in was finding a dentist willing to are still less than 3% Latino
Monclova. It was there that he train her for the two hands-on dentists. This is remarkably low
met his future wife and they clinical exams required for considering a population of 40% “Through advocacy I have
married soon and started a licensure. While preparing for Latinos in the state. One statistic been able to educate the public
family. these exams Dr. Larin met and that has dramatically improved and lawmakers on a variety of
Dr. Larin’s dad felt that married her husband Aurelio is the number of women dentists issues that affect my profession
he wanted his family raised in Peralta and had two children practicing today as compared to and oral health in general. I
the US, so when Dr. Larin was while working full-time as a when I graduated. They project have served as a member of the
three her family left Mexico to Registered Dental Assistant. that in 2025 women will repre- California Dental Association’s
join her uncle that lived in San In 1989 Dr. Larin finished sent 50% of all dentist working Cal-DPAC Council and Gov-
Diego. Although her dad was her exams and received her in the field. ernment Affairs Committee. I
pursuing the American dream, Dental License from the State of In 2003, Dr. Larin was advocate as a political Action
her mom missed her home and California. nominated and became presi- Team Leader for the American
the culture that she felt was a “As a new dentist I saw a dent of the San Diego Associ- Dental Association.”
better way of life for her chil- huge need for Latino dentists. ation of Women Dentists. In In 2018 Dr. Larin became
dren. When Dr. Larin turned Many people have a fear of go- 2007 she assumed the position a member of the Dental Board
11 her family moved to Tijuana, ing to the dentist, but if you add as president of the San Diego of California appointed by Cali-
feeling her children would learn in the fact that you can’t under- Academy of General Dentists. fornia Governor Gerald Brown.
the same values, culture, and stand what they are saying to Dr. Larin strongly adheres The Dental Board regulates the
traditions that she gained while you, because you are not fluent to their mission dedicated to profession of Dentistry in the
growing up in Mexico. in English, the fear becomes “Life-long learning”. state.
“It was actually great hav- much greater. There was also a She continued in her lead- I had to ask Dr. Larin when
ing the experience of growing huge need for female dentists, ership role and was installed she finds time to sleep. Her
up in two different countries. as at that time there were only a as the first Latina president of response was that she feels the
Aside from the fact that I handful. the American Association of need to help her community
became fully bilingual. I gained With so few women den- Women Dentists in 2008. and to further her profession
insight into two different cul- tists in the field it was a little In 2012, Dr. Larin was in- and she is extremely dedicated
tures and it gave me a compre- difficult finding a practicing stalled as the national president to achieving both of these goals.
hensive knowledge of both.” dentist that was open mind- of the Hispanic Dental Associ- She even takes it a step further
When it came time for ed about employing a young ation (HDA). As national pres- and has also worked for similar
Dr. Larin to decide what she female dentist. ident she led the HDA during goals outside of dentistry. Dr.
wanted to do with her life, she In 1993 Dr. Larin opened its historic first “Multicultural Larin has served on the board
contemplated medical school, her own all female dental office Oral Health Summit” which of “MANA de San Diego,” a
but felt it wasn’t quite the in San Diego. The first of its united the African American, national young Latina mento-
right fit. She enjoyed cooking, kind in San Diego. The American Indian, and the ring program and “Damas de
sewing, and playing the piano Sensing the need Dr. Larin HDA for a joint leadership and San Diego” an international
and after doing some research wanted to find a way to connect educational conference in Boca humanitarian foundation.
thought dentistry might be the with other Latino dentists. “I Raton Florida. That same year Proving her strong desire
right choice since she would have always been about con- she received the Colgate Pal- to always continue learning,
be able to continue using her necting people and helping to molive Award for Leadership. Dr. Larin is a graduate of the
hands and at the same time support my profession.” When Since 2015, Dr. Larin has Harvard Business School of San
help people. Her Mom suggest- Dr. Larin takes on a mission she been a member of the San Diego for Non-Profit Leader-
ed she shadow a friend of hers does it wholeheartedly. Diego County Dental Society’s ship Development. In 2013 she
that was a dentist. It took only “My history of leadership Board of Directors where she was a finalist for the San Diego’s
a few moments for Dr. Larin to and community service began chaired the Continuing Educa- Magazine Latinos Making a
realize that this was her calling. in 1999 when a longtime goal tion Committee. Difference Award.

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