Today we’d like to introduce you to Pamela Liu
Hi Pamela, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Like how most immigrant stories begin, when I was 3, my parents embarked on a journey to chase the American dream. They sacrificed a lot, including time with each other and with me, to build something that would better our collective futures. While they built this new life, I was left behind in China while my incredible grandmother stepped in as my superhero. She showered me with love and instilled a work ethic that pushed me to excel, all without being a drill sergeant. Think firm but fair with a huge dose of grandma magic. Despite not having my parents around all the time (which other kids definitely rubbed in!), she made sure I never felt like I was missing out. Her love and guidance are the foundation of who I am today, and I’m eternally grateful for her.
After rejoining my parents at the age of 7 in the U.S., I thrived in the arts. I played the oboe in youth orchestras and school bands, and my artistic side flourished with paintings that I sometimes sold and printed designs that ended up on self-made tote bags. In high school, my love for the show Grey’s Anatomy had me fixated on becoming a surgeon – the perfect blend of art and science (my favorite subject!).
Fast forward to college at Amherst. A pre-dental friend, with a dentist dad for a cheerleader, convinced me to explore the world of dentistry. The idea of a 9-to-5 schedule (hello, work-life balance!) with the opportunity to do dental surgery with my hands and add my artistic touch to someone’s smile seemed pretty darn appealing. As fate would have it (or maybe it was destiny?), the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine not only launched my dental career but also introduced me to my husband and dental co-pilot, Juston Reary.
Juston’s advanced training in prosthodontics at the DeBakey VA brought us to Houston from Philadelphia. Together, we built our dream practice from the ground up – TexSmiles Dental! Juston focuses on implants and complex rehabilitations, while I bring smiles to life with Invisalign and restorative and cosmetic dentistry. The most rewarding part? Hearing my patients tell me they are smiling more now.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think for the most part it has been a smooth road. My attitude is very much “things will always work out.” I think it’s also about constantly shifting my perspective to see more of the positive. I’ve always been a pretty resilient person, and I view setbacks as a challenge to be surmounted and to propel me forward.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
My husband/fellow dentist, Juston Reary, and I started TexSmiles Dental as a start-up practice in January 2018.
Between me and Juston, we do pretty much every dental procedure under the sun – from fillings to extractions to root canals to veneers to Invisalign to wisdom teeth extractions to implants and same-day teeth procedures.
We pride ourselves in taking time to get to know our patients (shoutout to the awesome TexSmiles FAM!) and delivering superior-quality dentistry with an artistic touch.
Though many patients may view dentistry as a commodity – Juston and I know what the vast difference good dentistry vs. sloppy dentistry is. Imagine – if you were on trial for committing a crime – would you want the public defender or the best trial lawyer at your side? I can sleep comfortably at night knowing that I have done right by my patients.
I’m most proud of my anesthesia skills – 98% of my patients not feel it when I give them a shot to numb them!
What was your favorite childhood memory?
I have a lot of fond childhood memories, but the one I can reflect on most vividly is when I was riding with my grandmother on a bicycle underneath a grove of trees. Looking up at the sun through the leaves, I suddenly had the revelation that I am me and I could not be anyone else. That I’m the one in my body and I’m the one in control of my future. That my grandmother, who I loved so much, could also only be her and no one else, and that she chose to love me. I must have been 4 or 5 years old at that time.
Pricing:
- Invisalign – $4499
- Invisalign consult – free
- Implant consult – free
- Same-day teeth consult – free
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.texsmiles.com
- Instagram: @texsmiles
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TexSmiles/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@texsmiles_dental?_t=8lzRVpf1wr5&_r=1
