The American Dream Emanouela Carlson, DDS ’09

Diplomate, American Board of Endodontics

Associate Professor of Endodontics

Chair, Department of Diagnostic Sciences and Surgical Dentistry

Chair, Division of Endodontics

CU School of Dental Medicine

Hometown: Sofia, Bulgaria

The path to dentistry for Emanouela Carlson, DDS ’09, may be reminiscent of the American Dream. Carlson described her upbringing as “humble beginnings as an immigrant in America.”

“I was born in Sofia, Bulgaria, into a family of civil engineers. I spent my early childhood in Iraq, where my parents were part of the international team that built the largest expressway system in the Middle East,” Carlson shared. “That period represents an incredibly fond, interesting, happy and adventurous part of my upbringing. I was one of few children in this environment; we did not have access to a traditional school framework and had to be home-schooled. The beauty was how much time we had to be carefree as kids.”

Carlson recalled she would “stay out of trouble” by working with her father, a radio enthusiast. “He frequently enlisted me to help him build transistor radios. This cultivated a natural affinity for working with my hands, as I learned to use hand tools proficiently at an incredibly young age.”

It was later that she learned to speak English fluently. Unfortunately, Carlson and her family’s path took an unexpected and unfortunate turn during her schooling.

With more than 3,200 University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (CU SDM) alumni, each has a unique journey into dentistry. Whether it started with a family member or simply a dream, many SDM alumni are now paving the way for future generations.

“My family was threatened, forcing an abrupt and difficult decision to leave our home and everything we had in pursuit of personal safety. We landed in the United States in December 1994; I was 16 years old with one small suitcase. We were in complete culture shock and found ourselves frantically trying to acclimate,” Carlson said.

She recalled seeing the flashing McDonald’s sign through her family’s motel room, trying to settle into life in America.

“In time, and once we found a place to call home, I was able to start attending high school, and a sense of normalcy gradually set in,” she said. “My journey represents what happens when people are given a chance to contribute and succeed in this country.”

Later in life, Carlson became a patient advocate. She credits her experience and previous role at the national healthcare company as laying the foundation for her career.

“Dentistry aligned with my desire to engage in advocacy, offering professional guidance and assistance through the acquisition of technical expertise suited to benefit my community,” Carlson shared. “Endodontics has provided a secure and independent approach, challenging my intellectual pursuits in a dynamic, highly technical and evidence-based manner. Academic pursuit has complemented my career with joy, professional satisfaction and intellectual creativity.”

That joy and pride go into her teaching. “I am proud to be part of the CU Dental community, to train and work alongside the next generation of dentists.”

She said the SDM community helped nurture her and provided opportunities to take a professional path and ultimately succeed.

“I stand on the shoulders of a giant, whom I have had the privilege to call a colleague and a friend—Dr. Robert Averbach, a distinguished endodontist and educator. I credit Dr. Averbach for recognizing a talent, guiding and empowering me and changing my professional trajectory and my life forever.”

Inspiring Generations to Come

Jesus Loza, DDS (ISP ’15), BDS

Owner, Charisma Family Dentistry

Hometown: Lima, Peru

“When I was a child, I grew up helping my mother in her pharmacy after school,” said Jesus Loza, DDS (ISP ’15), BDS. “My mother owned and ran the neighborhood pharmacy a few blocks from our home in Lima, Peru. Observing her helping others improve their overall health influenced me forever. I realized I also wanted to impact the lives of others positively.”

Loza shared that his mom and his personal dental experiences inspired him to pursue a career in dentistry. “I explored other medical fields and realized that dentistry was my goal and purpose; a few years later, I applied to a local dental school and received my dental degree.”

He mentioned that his first work experience was in the Peruvian mountains. “It was in one of the poorest towns… [I went] without receiving a salary and carrying my dental equipment twice a week for over a year.”

Loza also worked in the Peruvian Army and private practice. He later became a faculty member at his alma mater Universidad de San Martín de Porres.

“Being faculty motivated me to invest more time in continuing education. I participated in many international conferences in Lima. There, I got a

A Lifelong Learner

Joshua Zenon, DDS ’08

Owner, Gateway Park Family & Cosmetic Dentistry

Hometown: Salem, OR

Joshua Zenon, DDS ’08, was inspired to pursue a career in dentistry because of his mother. “She was a nurse for 40 years and introduced me to healthcare at a young age. I was interested in a career in healthcare in high school, and in college I enjoyed studying business.”

After earning a business degree, he started shadowing dentists. “I realized how excited I was by dentistry. I then committed myself to finish the prerequisites for dental school, and my journey began.”

Zenon describes his time as “challenging and exciting” at the SDM. “Entering dental school with a business degree, I didn’t have the same exposure to natural sciences as much as some of my classmates, so the first year was difficult. Every year became more enjoyable. One memorable moment was our transition from the 9th Avenue campus to the Fitzsimons campus after the first year. I remember the cranes moving around in my peripheral vision while in class at the dental school as the education buildings were being built.”

Zenon says his mentor at the SDM, Gene Brooks, DDS, also helped push him out of his comfort zone. “He gave me the confidence to feel comfortable starting my practice.” taste of the advances and how dentistry was evolving in other countries, mainly in the United States,” he shared. “Unfortunately, the resources were limited in Peru to put everything I was learning into practice, and I decided to emigrate to the U.S. to learn. I moved in August 2009, and a new chapter in my life began.”

Loza credited his “new chapter” as transformative, ultimately leading him to the SDM’s Advanced Standing International Student Program (ISP).

“The dental school was very inspiring. Interacting with the DDS students and my ISP classmates was a new experience. Different cultures, backgrounds and beliefs, all mixed, pursuing the same goal, to become an instrument of aid for others.”

Loza said the one part of dentistry that resonates with him and the advice he’d give to current students is: “The patient will trust in you and your clinical judgment; however, it is not always a better dentist who has a higher score on the tests; the real and human dentist is the one who shows compassion and treats others as if treating themselves or a direct family member. That is the real impact you and I will create in our surroundings and the legacy we will leave for future dental generations.”

After graduating, Zenon started his practice. He continues to evolve as a dentist and a practice owner. “Even 14 years out of school, I’m taking 80 hours of continuing education (CE) this year. So many new advancements in dentistry make our profession so exciting. One recommendation to new graduates is to focus on CE that applies to the patient needs you currently see. You want to be able to use your knowledge immediately so you can gain the confidence to incorporate it into your skillset. Some CE courses sound fun and exciting, ut if you rarely implement the knowledge on your patients, you may never get the opportunity to cement those skills into your toolbox.”