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Add RSS FeedWDeJ Feature Dentist: Dr. Jean Furuyama
This month, Woman Dentist Journal's editor, Dr. Sheri Doniger, interviews Dr. Jean Furuyama, a general dentist with a private practice in New York, N.Y. Read on to get to know her better ...
When is your birthday?
August 4, 1940
Where were you born?
Woburn, Mass.
Where did you grow up?
Long Island and Connecticut
Tell me about your family.
I have one son, Ken, who lives in the Boston area, and my husband of 38 years, Toshiyuki. He was a Fulbright student when we met in New York, and after he received his PhD in polymer chemistry, we lived in Japan for three years. He's been on "foreign assignment" ever since we came back to the States in 1972, and is now semiretired.
Where do you live?
Waterside Plaza, in the same apartment complex as my practice in New York City. We also have a weekend house on a lake in northern New Jersey.
Did you work during high school, and what did you do?
I worked at the Yankee Peddler, a retail clothing store in Westport, Conn. I was also a waitress at the Savarin Restaurant on the Connecticut Turnpike and was proud to be the highest earner among the waitresses. I learned early that a pleasant smile and getting the order right earned you good tips!
Where did you go for undergrad, and what was your major?
I went to Colby College in Waterville, Me., and spent my junior year in Paris, France. I majored in French because I wanted to go to France! After graduation, I realized I didn't want to teach, so I worked for Pan Am for six years in customer relations. I loved working for the airlines. Not much money but lots of fun and travel!
Where did you attend dental school?
New York University College of Dentistry
When did you graduate?
1979
Do you specialize?
No, but I have taken additional training in orthodontics (a two-year, once-a-month weekend course), implants (NYU Maxi course), and DOCS sedation course.
Why did you become a dentist?
I went back to school thinking I wanted to be a physician, but during the 'Nam years it was almost impossible to get into medical school even though I had straight A's in all the premed courses that I had to take to make up for being a French major undergrad. At 34, I was too old to get into med school, although things are different now for older students. I thought about becoming a science researcher or going back to the airlines, but at the last minute I sent my application in to dental school. It was the best thing I ever did. I love being a dentist. It's a much better life than medicine, especially these days.
How did you begin your dental career?
I did a one-year general practice residency at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, and then worked briefly with a Japanese second-generation dentist while I started my own practice. I intended to work with him for a couple years, but my practice took off so fast that I had to quit a few months after I opened, and after one year I needed an associate. In those days, that dentist and I were the only Japanese-speaking dentists in NYC, and it was very good for my practice during the "bubble economy" of the '80s.
How many active patients do you have?
1,500 to 2,000
Do you own or lease your office?
I lease my office.
How big is it in square feet?
Over 2,000 square feet
How are you involved in dental leadership and are you involved in your community?
I am the president-elect of the Japanese Medical Society. I have also been active in the Japanese-American Lions Club. I am on the New York State Board of Dentistry, and a past member of the Board of Directors of the New York County Dental Society. I am also a fellow of the American College of Dentists and the College of Dentistry International. In addition, for many years — more than I would like to admit — I was the secretary and vice president of the ASSO, the American Society for the Study of Orthodontics.
What is your most prized accomplishment?
Hmm, that's a difficult question. Having a successful practice? Being past president of AAWD? Being elected to the ACD? Being elected to the State Board of Dentistry? I don't know. But perhaps it is being able to convert previously phobic patients into appreciative and cooperative dental patients.
What are your goals?
To continue doing dentistry while balancing my life with plenty of travel and sports.
What are you known for (in general or dental-related)?
I guess I'm known for my high-tech practice. I love all kinds of gadgets and my favorite thing in the world is to go to the exhibit hall during conventions to see what is new. I learn as much there, if not more, than in lectures.
Are you a member of AAWD?
Mais oui! I wouldn't even think of not being a member. I have gotten so much out of this wonderful organization.
When and how did you become involved with AAWD?
When I first attended dental school, there were only 11 percent women in school and 3 percent women practicing. AAWD meant a lot to me in helping to be with people who understood the special needs of women in the dental world. We always had fun together and never had to put on airs to be accepted. And the best thing is that AAWD is still like that!
Do you have any advice for women who want to pursue dentistry?
This is the greatest career you can have. You can work as much or as little as you want, and you can combine both artistic and scientific talents. There are so many options; I am always learning something new. That's what keeps me going. I once seriously considered specializing in ortho, and I still love it, but being a general dentist lets you do so many different things and follow so many different interests. Don't let money be your driving force. If you love what you do and do it well, the money will come. If you really want to make money, avoid big cities and open up in a rural area.
Are you especially fond of certain dental equipment?
I love my Biolase and DIAGNOdent. I also can't live without an intraoral camera.
If you were a dental instrument, what kind would you be and why?
A Biolase because it's versatile and kind to teeth and tissues.
What do you do for fun?
I love tennis and play once a week. In the summer I play golf — very badly but I enjoy it. I've had season tickets to the New York Philharmonic for the past 15 years. I also enjoy the great restaurants we have in NYC.
What are your hobbies?
Tennis and golf.
Tell me three things about yourself that might surprise people.
I speak fluent Japanese. I am 67 years old. I hate to do housework.
What book are you currently reading?
"Teacher Man" by Frank McCourt, author of "Angela's Ashes."
What is your favorite Web site?
Well, it's not a Web site; it's Spider Solitaire, but I can't get higher than 1,206.
Where do you go to get your information?
Mostly print — journals. If I have a specific question, I go to the Web. I can't keep up with all the information out there.
What is your favorite comfort food?
Without doubt, brownies, but they have to be nice and chewy with lots of walnuts.
Where is your favorite restaurant in your town, and what is your meal of choice?
Mishima on Lexington and 30th for Japanese food.
If you were to interview one person, who would it be and why?
Dr. Gordon Christensen — inquiring minds want to know.
Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Honolulu — great mix of East and West.
Where do you go to escape?
My lake house in New Jersey.
Is there anything we didn't cover that you'd like to mention in the article?
I'd like to see more women involved in AAWD. There are so many women graduating from dental school these days, but they don't seem to be "joiners." To get something out of an organization, you have to put something into it, and if you don't join, you are losing a chance to find that balance in your life that is so critical for happiness.
Contact information for Dr. Jean Furuyama —
Office address: 10 Waterside Plaza, New York, NY 10010
Office phone: (212) 683-6269
Home phone: (212) 213-1461
Fax: (212) 686-0460
E-mail: jfuruyama@aol.com or watersidedental@yahoo.com
Web site: www.laserdentistnewyork.com
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