While the typical role of a dentist is to provide patients with dental health and vitality through medicine, there are many dentists in Korea and abroad who are active in various fields such as business, media, and sports. In Korea, Lee Seung-gun is the CEO of TOS. He has been innovating in various fields such as lending and fintech, including mobile money transfer.
Even in the United States, one of the largest dental markets in the world, many dentists are expanding outside of their practice. Some dentists are creating content based on their knowledge of dentistry, while others are breaking new ground.
What do curling and dentistry have in common? “You have to keep learning”
In the U.S., dentist Tara Peterson, 34, was the center of attention at last month’s Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy. Peterson, a curler, is one of America’s biggest Winter Olympics stars. She has been a member of the U.S. National Curling Team since 2002, and this will be her second time competing in the Olympics, having competed in Beijing in 2022. Peterson’s team lost in the bronze medal game against Canada on February 21st.
When he’s not playing or training, Peterson is a dentist in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and he’s as serious about his profession as he is about curling. On the website of the dental clinic where he works, he describes himself this way.
“I completed my undergraduate and dental school at the University of Minnesota. My parents are retired dentists and dental hygienists, and I love teeth with all my heart. I am passionate about creating treatment plans to keep teeth healthy and beautiful, and I strive to make patients feel comfortable in the chair.” When not practicing, training, or competing, Dr. Peterson enjoys playing golf, cross-country skiing, and biking.
In an interview with the American Dental Association in 2022, Peterson drew parallels between curling and dentistry. “Curling is a sport that you can never fully master, and there are always new strategies and rules to learn,” he said. “Dentistry is similar in that you have to stay on top of the latest theories, products, and techniques.” Peterson even took two years off from curling while attending dental school at the University of Minnesota to study.
Influencers, authors, politicians…the transformation of dentists is ongoing
Social media influencers are a popular sideline for dentists. In a recent article, the Washington Post pointed out that dentists are becoming active on social media such as TikTok to solve the phenomenon of young people avoiding dental care.
One such influencer is Dr. Marcus Blatz, a professor of dental conservation at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dentistry. As an expert in dentistry, he creates content based on his knowledge and clinical photos from the dental school. He has more than 266,000 followers.
Bill Dorfman is a dentist who specializes in cosmetic dentistry, whitening, veneers, and more, and is the author of the book The Billion Dollar Smile. He practices in Los Angeles and is a celebrity in his own right. He recently appeared on the cover of GQ, an American men’s magazine. His Instagram account, which has 2.3 million followers, is a mix of clinical cases and celebrity life.
Some American dentists are politicians. In Cincinnati, central Ohio, Dr. Steven Urbeck, a fourth-generation dentist, is running for Congress. A graduate of the local university, The Ohio State University, and a graduate of New York University School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Urbeck worked in his family’s dental practice in his hometown before entering politics.
He joined politics to address the rising cost of living, housing, and healthcare. He and his wife have one daughter. He is a devout Catholic and has been active in community service, including serving as a member of the Knights of Columbus, a service organization within his church. A Republican, he is running against incumbent Rep. Greg Landsman, a Democrat.
There’s also Omar Sabre, a New Zealand dentist turned fashion entrepreneur. According to a 2024 Forbes Australia article, he and his sister Jane were inspired to start their own business after their father’s leukemia diagnosis and financial struggles.
Omar was a dentist and Jane was a dental student when they started the business. Their cell phone case business was successful in Australia, the United States, and Japan, and they expanded to include handbags, laptop cases, and clothing. The brothers’ brand, Maison de Sabre, reportedly generates $100 million in annual sales.
Writer. Hyuntaek Lee
<A former newspaper journalist who worked for 18 years at JoongAng Ilbo>, <and Chosun Ilbo>. She is currently working as a freelance contributor and planning the second act of her life. In addition to journalism, she has worked in public relations and marketing at JTBC Broadcasting and Edelman Global Advisory in the United States.
