Are you a dental professional searching for a career where your passion for patient care truly shines? Do you want to be part of a team that prioritizes people over profit, fostering a genuine sense of purpose when you come to work every day? Meet Dr. Alice Ma, one of TrueCare’s dedicated dentists at our San Marcos health center, who has found her sense of professional purpose beyond the drill at the TrueCare San Marcos location!

Dr. Ma’s unique journey reveals what it means to find a professional home with San Diego dentist jobs that align with deeply held values, showcasing how TrueCare’s commitment to its providers and patients makes it an exceptional place to work.

Dr. Alice Ma on Her Passion for People-First Care at TrueCare Dentist Jobs in San Diego

For Dr. Ma, her story begins with a fundamental question many health care providers ponder: what truly defines a supportive and impactful clinical environment for dental careers? The answer crystallized early in Dr. Ma’s career. It pointed towards a model of care that prioritizes deep community engagement and comprehensive patient support, a philosophy that ultimately led her to TrueCare San Marcos.

If you are looking for a more fulfilling new chapter in your career, learn what makes TrueCare an exceptional environment for dental jobs in Dr. Ma’s own words.

Related Article: Meet the TrueCare Providers: Chanelle Calhoun, MD

Why Do Dentists Choose Community Health Centers like TrueCare?

Dr. Ma’s commitment to patient-first care began early in her career. She spent 11 years as a Navy dentist, right out of dental school, where the focus was squarely on treating people, an aspect she loved about the work she did in the Navy. 

“I wanted to be a lawyer growing up, and for the longest time, that’s the only thing I wanted to be,” said Dr. Ma. “I was going to go to law school and be this awesome lawyer lady in DC. That didn’t work out, and it was always my mom’s hope for me to be a dentist – in her mind, it was a good vocation for a young female. That’s what led me to being a dentist today, and I’d like to hope my mom is proud of me,” she joked.

After leaving the military, she worked in private practice but found it to be, ultimately, unsatisfying. Her search for a workplace that prioritized patient well-being over profit led her to TrueCare. She was especially interested in the preventative aspect of dental care. 

“I found working at a private practice to be a little unsatisfying because of the financial drive for a lot of patient care,” Dr. Ma remembered. “I was super lucky to find TrueCare and go back to my roots of treating people and taking care of their dental needs without that financial cloud that kind of looms when you’re treatment planning. Here, patient care is truly paramount, and that’s what really makes this environment different,” she explained.

Related Article: Meet the TrueCare Providers: Kelsey Carrio, MD 

What Is Team Culture Like for Dentists at TrueCaRe?

For Dr. Ma, the heart of the TrueCare experience lies in its people. She says she genuinely appreciates her colleagues and the patients she serves, saying the people on both sides of the dentist chair are what she loves the most about coming to work.

“It’s the people that I work with and the people that I work for that make it super rewarding and enjoyable to come in every day,” Dr. Ma beamed. “There’s a fantastic staff here, and I think we’re all like-minded in the sense that we’re here really to help others and to be a service to others – everyone working with that common goal and motivator in mind is special. It makes you feel like you are part of something bigger, which is something I enjoyed about my time in the Navy,” she explained.  

She finds immense reward in the gratitude expressed by patients, even for the smallest gestures. This like-minded spirit extends to TrueCare’s unique team culture, including celebrated potlucks. Dr. Ma specifically recalled a “comfort food” themed potluck fondly. 

“We have a lot of potlucks – today’s potluck was comfort food. That was the theme,” said Dr. Ma. “It was awesome because everybody brought what their comfort food was, and we were able to share a little bit about our backgrounds and cultures, and this kind of stuff really helps build a rapport with the people you work with. Through food and through sharing stories, you learn a lot more about the people you stand shoulder-to-shoulder with every day because not everyone is comfortable with questions and prying,” she elaborated. 

Dr. Ma herself contributed Korean barbecue, her “ultimate comfort food,” sharing a piece of her personal comfort with her team. This strong sense of camaraderie and shared purpose makes TrueCare a truly special place to work.

Related Article: Why TrueCare Oceanside Specialty Is a Great Place to Work: Join Our Dedicated Team

How Can Dentists Practice Authentically at TrueCare?

At TrueCare, the absence of a “financial drive” fundamentally changes how dentists practice, allowing for genuine, patient-centered care. Dr. Ma explained that, because the top priority of the entire team is taking care of people, this inherently encourages authenticity.

“Here, it’s not about a financial drive and instead is really, truly all about taking care of people,” shared Dr. Ma proudly. “This makes people bring their authentic selves to work in a way many people overlook because, in order to take care of people and elevate that patient experience, you have to share a little bit about yourself to come across as genuine. This is really important in a dental clinic setting where it can get uncomfortable because sincerely connecting with your patients puts them at ease in an amazing way,” she said. 

She believes that in a dental setting, being genuine is crucial for building trust, especially in community health, where connections to patients and the community are paramount. 

“You’re almost forced to be genuine because if a patient senses that you’re being anything but genuine, it erodes trust,” explained Dr. Ma. “I think that goes back to the beauty of what TrueCare stands for – we stand for really taking care of people, and if you’re taking care of people with any motive other than a sincere desire to help and provide the best possible care, it just doesn’t work. It forces you to be your whole authentic self,” she said. 

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What Makes Working at TrueCare so Rewarding for Dental Providers?

Dr. Ma says that working at TrueCare is incredibly rewarding because, in a way, it inspires you to return to what made you fall in love with dentistry in the first place.

“I think the company and what it stands for, its mission, allows you to be genuine in a lot of important ways that lead to a fulfilling career,” said Dr. Ma. “One thing that’s really important about this people-first, patient care-oriented approach is that you have to be aligned with the mission of this organization, but it allows you to return to what made you start practicing dentistry in the first place. If you really started practicing dentistry because you want to help people, this is the place to do it. If I can be of service to just one person a day here, I know I’ve made a difference when I’m going home,” she added.

Dr. Ma also finds constant inspiration in the ongoing need for dental care within the community she serves. This fundamental need drives her every day.

“Being here, you realize there’s still that need that exists,” Dr. Ma explained. “You’re never finished. And so, in some sense, you always leave both motivated and accomplished at the same time at the end of the day. Also, you’re supported by a fantastic group of people who are here to take care of you as well as the mission, and that goes a long way,” she smiled. 

This profound sense of accomplishment comes directly from being of service to those who truly need it. However, she says the culture of support and colleagues she interacts with daily are the secret ingredients that make working at TrueCare incredibly rewarding and fun – a professional comfort food that is spiritually filling.

“What excites me about coming into work every day is honestly the camaraderie,” Dr. Ma said. “When I come in, it’s like being surrounded by friends, and I know I’ll be working alongside people I laugh with who actually care about you and remember the little details, whether it’s what you’re going to do this weekend or what you were watching on TV the night before. It doesn’t really even feel like work sometimes because we’re always joking and cutting it up, with each other and the patients – they really seem to enjoy it. It really seems to liven up the mood,” she laughed. 

Related Article: Meet the TrueCare Staff: Magdalena Lopez, Medical Staff

What Career Growth Opportunities Are Available for Dentists at TrueCare?

Dr. Ma says that one of the best opportunities she has had to learn and grow her skills at TrueCare has been working with such a diverse population. 

“Because it’s such a diverse population, you’re really going to get a diverse group of treatment needs,” explained Dr. Ma. “Every day is a new challenge and learning opportunity. It could be as simple as a hygiene visit or as complicated as a patient who needs full mouth rehabilitation or who needs dentures. You get a healthy variety of needs and procedures, which means you get a lot of practice, and growing and learning are all about those opportunities. Every day, you hone your skills a little more here – it’s amazing,” she said.

She said that one important component of the work here is that, while there is a focus on innovation, there is an emphasis on the fundamentals – by really refining those fundamental skills, Dr. Ma says, you are elevating your entire skillset. 

“You’re not ever forced to do anything that is contrary to what you’ve been taught to do,” said Dr. Ma. “That’s really important – it seems like it should be a given, but it’s still important to emphasize. You use all the skills you’ve acquired in your training and education, and you can lean on your colleagues to help you learn or improve your skills. The team here has really diverse experience, and they’re an amazing resource,” she said.

Still, the professional development and growth opportunities and desire to continuously improve, she says, come from within, from truly enjoying the work you do.

“When you find a job or a setting that allows you to really enjoy what you do, it drives you to keep improving and carrying out that mission,” said Dr. Ma. “Sometimes, I feel guilty, almost spoiled, because I really have found the best of both worlds in terms of having work-life balance and camaraderie. It really is just a wonderful, fun group of people that I get to see every day, and I can’t ask for anything better. If that’s what you’re looking for, then TrueCare could be a perfect fit for you,” she said. 

Related Article: Meet the TrueCare Staff: Phyllis Mason, Clinical Nurse Manager II

Do You Have Any Advice for Dentists Starting Out in Public Health Dentistry?

For any new dentist, particularly those unsure of their path, she highly recommends experiencing public health dentistry in the flesh. 

“The reality is that dentists coming out of dental school who want to work in public health dentistry already know that’s the direction they want to go, and it’s probably a small percentage,” said Dr. Ma. “For new dentists who are going to pursue a career in this niche, do your research, be prepared, and know what you’re getting into. It’s a very different beast than practicing dentistry in a clinical setting,” she explained. 

Dr. Ma says the best research you can do is to go out and get firsthand experience, which she says is even good advice for those preparing for an interview at TrueCare.

“I would say go to a public health facility because it really puts a fire under you to want to do something and make a difference,” said Dr. Ma. “That’s what it did for me, and I think that is a good way to gauge if this work aligns with your passion. I initially came into the industry without a really open mind, and I was pretty apathetic about the field. But when I got into a public health setting and saw the impact I could have on a single person’s life, that’s when everything changed. It really drives and motivates you to pursue dentistry and just, you know, help others because that’s what it’s all about,” she elaborated.

Ultimately, Dr. Ma says if this experience resonates with you, then TrueCare could be a perfect professional fit for your career. 

Related Article: What is the Interview Process at TrueCare?

Are You Inspired by Dr. Alice Ma’s Journey? Explore Dentist Jobs in San Diego at TrueCare Today!

Dr. Ma’s experience at TrueCare showcases the profound impact of a patient-first approach, a supportive team, authentic practice, and a deep sense of purpose. Her story is a testament to TrueCare’s unwavering commitment to both its team members and its profound mission of community and patient well-being. Whether you are a new or seasoned dentist, San Diego jobs at TrueCare locations can help you rediscover your purpose and passion. 

If you’re a high-quality, mission-driven dental professional looking for a workplace where you can truly make a difference, feel supported, and grow your career, we invite you to explore career opportunities at TrueCare today!