Today we’d like to introduce you to Viet Lam.
Hi Viet, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I often say my story began long before I was born. My parents escaped Vietnam in the late 1980s with nothing but hope for a safer future. For years we had no home country—moving between Indonesia, Singapore, and the Philippines—until we finally resettled in Houston when I was a year old. Growing up hearing their stories of courage shaped everything about me. Their sacrifices taught me that nothing is guaranteed, and everything is earned.
Dentistry first entered my life through my uncle, a general dentist whose work I grew up watching. I spent countless hours in his office—listening, observing, absorbing. He molded me in ways I didn’t appreciate until much later. He taught me what it meant to care for people, to take pride in the details, and to always put patients first. So much of who I am today as a clinician comes from the foundation he quietly built in me.
I graduated from the University of Houston magna cum laude and earned my dental degree from the University of Minnesota. Early on, I believed my future was in oral and maxillofacial surgery, so I completed two surgical internships at LSU New Orleans and UT Houston. Surgery was all I knew, and for a long time, I thought it would be my entire identity.
But life has a way of redirecting you in the exact way you didn’t know you needed.
Through an introduction from my best friend from dental school, Dr. Kien Kevin Nguyen, I joined Pecan Grove. That period became a true turning point. Coming out of hospital-based training, I was still finding my footing as a general dentist. Dr. Nguyen mentored me closely—teaching me how to slow down, how to communicate, how to build relationships with families, and how to rediscover the “everyday art” of dentistry that hospital training often overlooks. He helped me get back on my feet both clinically and mentally, and his guidance is a major reason I’m so invested in mentoring others today.
My journey later led me to DDS Associates in the Texas Medical Center, where Dr. Jorge Quirch invited me to join his practice as he prepared for retirement. There, I had the privilege of treating an incredibly diverse patient community—from professional athletes to dancers and college students—each trusting me with their care in deeply personal ways. Some cases were complex, some were emotional, but all of them shaped me into a more thoughtful and intentional clinician.
Along the way, volunteer work and mission trips introduced me to doctors from across the country who left a lasting impression on me. Whether it was learning from seasoned surgeons during outreach, collaborating with colleagues on international missions, or absorbing wisdom from faculty back at the University of Minnesota, each of these experiences added a layer to my growth. Their generosity, patience, and passion for service became part of the compass I still follow.
Today, I practice at DDS Associates and serve as an Implant Regional Doctor Mentor with Heartland Dental—helping younger dentists build confidence in implants, surgery, and comprehensive treatment planning. The mentorship I offer now is a reflection of everything that was given to me: guidance, honesty, encouragement, and the belief that we rise higher when we lift each other.
Outside of dentistry, I’m a proud new father and a lifelong Houstonian who never forgets the journey my parents took to give me a home. Everything I do is shaped by that gratitude. I wouldn’t be here without my uncle, my mentors, my colleagues, and my family—and I’m honored every day to serve the community that raised me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has definitely not been smooth. My journey started with instability—my parents escaped Vietnam, and we spent the early part of my life moving between countries without a real home. Even though I was too young to remember it, that history created a pressure in me to never waste the opportunities they sacrificed so much for. That pressure has always been motivating, but it hasn’t always been easy.
My training years came with their own challenges. Surgical internships are intense—long hours, emotional cases, and constant self-doubt. When my path shifted away from oral surgery, I struggled with identity and questioned whether I had fallen short of my original dream. Transitioning into general dentistry after years in a hospital setting was also tough. I had to relearn how to connect with families, pace my work, and rebuild my confidence. Without mentors like Dr. Kien Nguyen, I’m not sure I would’ve found my footing as quickly as I did.
Dentistry itself can be isolating. For years I carried the wins and the failures quietly, and that weight adds up. Working alongside Dr. Dana Hailat showed me what true partnership in dentistry looks like, and it helped break that sense of isolation I didn’t realize I had.
And like many clinicians, balancing professional growth with personal life—especially becoming a new father—has brought its own challenges. But every obstacle has shaped me. The hard moments taught me resilience, gratitude, and the importance of surrounding myself with people who lift me up.
The road hasn’t been smooth, but it has made me who I am today.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Clinically, I’m a general dentist with a strong surgical foundation, and a large part of my work today revolves around smile makeovers and surgical reconstruction. I approach cases comprehensively—whether that involves implants, grafting, full-mouth rehabilitation, or cosmetic smile transformation. Many of my cosmetic cases begin with Invisalign, which allows me to create natural, conservative improvements in alignment and bite before restoring the smile. I enjoy blending clear aligner therapy with surgical and restorative dentistry to deliver results that look beautiful and function well.
Beyond clinical work, I serve as an Implant Regional Doctor Mentor with Heartland Dental, helping younger dentists build confidence in implants, surgery, and comprehensive treatment planning. Mentorship means a great deal to me because I wouldn’t be the clinician I am today without the many doctors who poured into me along the way—especially Dr. Kien Nguyen, as well as the numerous mentors I met through volunteer missions and my faculty at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry. Their guidance, encouragement, and belief in my potential shaped every step of my professional journey.
What sets me apart isn’t just the combination of surgical and cosmetic training—it’s the way I approach care. Dentistry can be intimidating, especially for people who need major reconstruction or who have been self-conscious for years. I try to meet every patient with empathy, honesty, and the same level of care I’d want for my own family.
Over the years, I’ve become known for listening deeply to my patients, meticulously reviewing their medical histories before I even begin the exam, and following up with personal phone calls after hours to make sure they’re comfortable and healing well. Those small touches matter—they build trust, reduce anxiety, and remind patients that their well-being genuinely comes first.
What I’m most proud of is seeing patients do well with their treatment and then go out into the world and do great things with it. Whether it’s someone who hasn’t smiled confidently in years or a patient finally free of pain, watching them rediscover themselves and move forward with renewed confidence is the greatest reward of what I do.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
What makes me happiest is seeing a patient smile at the end of their treatment. There’s something incredibly raw and authentic about that moment. It’s not just about the teeth—it’s the relief, the confidence, the emotion behind it. Many people come in carrying fear, embarrassment, or years of avoiding the dentist, and when they finally see themselves the way they’ve always wanted to, it hits me every time.
Those smiles remind me why I chose this profession. They’re honest. They’re human. And they represent trust—someone allowing me into one of the most vulnerable parts of their life and letting me help them heal. That connection, that transformation, is what brings me the most joy in what I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ddsassociates.com/
