Working in dentistry often feels like a race against the clock, prioritizing volume over connection. You want to make a difference, but administrative burdens and quotas often stand in the way of providing the compassionate, person-first health care you envisioned during dental school. At TrueCare, we believe your career should be defined by the smiles you restore, not the number of patients you see. As a community-focused health center, we empower our providers to build lasting relationships and offer holistic care that transforms lives. Dr. Sheila Love, a Lead Dentist, found that TrueCare offers a unique environment where professional expertise meets genuine community connection. 

Discover how she found a professional home that feels like family.

Dr. Sheila Love on What it Means to Restore Smiles and Confidence in San Diego

Love’s experience highlights the profound satisfaction that comes from working in an environment dedicated to health equity. Her story is a testament to the joy found in serving neighbors and the support TrueCare provides to its medical professionals.

“As a dentist with TrueCare, we see infants, young children, teenagers, adults, and older adults. We are there for them for emergencies, and if we cannot handle the scope or the treatment, we have places we can refer them to, and then we follow up to make sure that they have gone to their other offices and appointments. We’re just here to help at the end of the day, and that’s what makes working here so special – giving back,” smiled Dr. Love. 

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What Do You Like About Working at TrueCare?

Dr. Love gave a simple yet profound reason that she likes working at TrueCare. She said that she likes being a person who can help other people. 

“My personal philosophy on providing care to this community is simple – you just always have to do the best that you can. When you do your best and restore their smile, you give them confidence, and that can be life-changing in and of itself,” said Dr. Love. 

Beyond the clinical procedures, Dr. Love finds deep purpose in patient education. 

She views every appointment as an opportunity to empower individuals with the knowledge they need to maintain their oral health, bridging a critical gap for those who may have never been taught the basics of dental hygiene.

“Education also makes the work more fulfilling. When you teach children and adults how to brush and take care of their own teeth, you’re making an impact that is almost impossible to put into words. It’s amazing how people aren’t taught to take care of their teeth or even their dentures, and I like being the person who can teach them that,” added Dr. Love.

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What Does Restoring Smiles Mean at TrueCare?

Revitalizing a patient’s smile is an act of restoring dignity and self-esteem. Dr. Love witnesses firsthand how dental care can reignite a person’s confidence, allowing them to engage with the world joyfully after years of hiding their smile.

“Restoring a person’s smile is really making a difference for that person. People who haven’t smiled in years, you know, you give them new dentures or some new fillings, and you teach them how to smile all over again. When they come back for a check-up, they’re really smiling, and those muscles are working. It’s the best feeling ever,” smiled Dr. Love. 

Related Article: What Health Care & Medical Career Paths Lead to TrueCare?

What Does it Mean to Serve Generations of Patients at TrueCare?

TrueCare’s commitment to compassionate health care builds a deep trust that ripples through entire families. Dr. Sheila Love knows she is making a genuine impact when satisfied patients entrust her with the care of their closest relatives, creating a legacy of wellness within the community.

“I feel that I’m making a meaningful difference in this community when people tell me that their sister, mother, brother, son, or daughter will be coming to see me because they’re so happy with what I’ve been doing,” said Dr. Love.

There is a special continuity of care that comes with long tenure at a community health center. Watching patients grow up and eventually bringing in their own children creates a heartwarming cycle of generational health that reinforces the bonds between provider and patient.

“It’s also really meaningful when a patient who I’ve been seeing for 13 or 15 years brings their children to see me. It’s a very good feeling,” said Dr. Love.  

Related Article: What is Covered by Employee Health Insurance at TrueCare?

What Does it Mean to Serve the Community with TrueCare?

The connection between provider and patient extends well beyond the walls of the exam room. Living and working in the same neighborhoods means Dr. Love often crosses paths with the people she serves, transforming routine errands into joyful reunions that highlight the strength of the TrueCare community.

“It’s been wonderful to serve this community. I was actually out Black Friday shopping, and guess who I saw? One of my patients. We hugged, she introduced me to her daughter, and I introduced her to my sister. We joked around while we were in the long line, and it was wonderful. That’s not the only time I see my patients – I see them everywhere. Sometimes, little kids will run up to me, ‘Dr. Love! Dr. Love! There’s my doctor!” smiled Dr. Love. 

These interactions prove that TrueCare providers are viewed as trusted partners and friends rather than distant authority figures. 

This rapport allows for personal storytelling and shared life moments, creating a warmth and familiarity that makes the work environment feel incredibly welcoming.

“The way my patients relate to me makes me feel that I’m the right person for the job – they treat me like family, they greet me, and we talk about everything that’s happened since the last time I’ve seen them. I’ve even gotten a kitten from a patient, and he just recently asked how the kitten is doing, and I was like, ‘Well, my old cat hates it, but the good news is that my daughter came over and fell in love with her, and they have the most loving cat now, and she’s so happy,” remembered Dr. Love.

When you work in an atmosphere defined by such strong community ties and mutual respect, the daily grind disappears. Instead of feeling like a job, coming to the health center feels like spending time with a supportive extended family.

“It’s not like being at work. It’s like being with friends and being with family. It’s truly a great place to work every day,” added Dr. Love.

Related Article: Dental Health & Impact on Overall Health

Is There Professional Growth at TrueCare?

TrueCare actively nurtures potential, encouraging team members to step into leadership roles they might not have envisioned for themselves. 

The organization fosters a culture of mentorship where colleagues support one another’s expansion, guiding introverts and extroverts alike toward new professional heights.

“The good thing with TrueCare is that they push you to go beyond your scope. I never figured that I would be a lead clinician – I like being in the background. But everyone opens their hearts and their arms, and they guide you,” said Dr. Love.

This commitment to growth is supported by a robust emphasis on continuing education. The organization ensures that every provider has access to the learning opportunities they need to stay at the forefront of dental medicine in a supportive, collaborative environment.

“We’re pushed to take continuing education courses, and everybody is so welcoming. It makes learning and growing easy,” said Dr. Love. 

Whether you aspire to administrative leadership or wish to deepen your clinical expertise, TrueCare offers diverse pathways for advancement. 

The organization supports your individual career trajectory, ensuring you can flourish in the role that best aligns with your passion and skills.

“TrueCare allows anyone to advance in their career if that’s what they want to do, so if I wanted to be out of the clinic more, there’s always the Dental Director or a position in Operations. But clinical dentistry is my passion, so I’m not going anywhere,” laughed Dr. Love.

Related Article: What is Covered by Employee Health Insurance at TrueCare?

Are You Inspired by Dr. Sheila Love’s Words? Explore Open Positions at TrueCare Today!

Dr. Sheila Love’s journey demonstrates that a career in dentistry can be both professionally ambitious and deeply heart-centered. At TrueCare, you don’t have to choose between advanced clinical practice and meaningful community connection. We offer a workplace where your growth is championed, your patients treat you like family, and your skills restore confidence every day. If you are ready to join a mission-driven team that values your expertise and your humanity, we invite you to apply. Experience the joy of making a real impact in San Diego and Riverside counties. Explore our open positions and apply today!