Back to School: Celebrating Education and Expertise at Life Orthodontics
As summer winds down and the new school year begins, we at Life Orthodontics are thrilled to reflect on our own educational journeys and our recent community event that brought us immense joy: our Back to School Supplies Giveaway for families in the Tustin area. Education is the foundation of our practice, and this event was our way of giving back to the community that supports us. Just as students need the right tools to succeed, we believe that every patient deserves access to top-tier orthodontic care guided by expertise, compassion, and a commitment to learning.
The Educational Journey Behind Our Expertise
Education has always been central to who we are at Life Orthodontics, so our orthodontists, Dr. Robert Lee and Dr. Sarah Pi made sure to receive the best education possible to ensure they could provide the highest level of care for their patients.
Dr. Robert Lee earned his BS in Bioengineering and DDS from UCLA, followed by an Orthodontics Certificate and MS in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences from UCSF. Dr. Sarah Pi earned her BS in Psychobiology from UCLA, followed by her DDS, Orthodontics Certificate, and MS in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences from UCSF. Both UCLA and UCSF are prestigious universities, known for only accepting the most competitive candidates.
At UCLA and UCSF, both Dr. Lee and Dr. Pi excelled and were top students that won numerous awards and set records for the number and quality of peer-reviewed articles they published in academic journals. Notably, Dr. Lee is the youngest person to ever publish first author, cover articles in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics and the Journal of Clinical Orthodontics.
Our Approach to Patient Education
At Life Orthodontics, we believe in educating our patients just as thoroughly as we were educated. Our treatment plans are designed to be transparent and comprehensive, ensuring that every patient understands their orthodontic journey from start to finish. We take the time to explain each step, so there are no surprises for our patients, only clear communication and confidence in the process.
This emphasis on education comes naturally to both Dr. Lee and Dr. Pi as they both come from long lines of educators. Dr. Lee and Dr. Pi have grandparents, parents, significant others, aunts, and cousins who are all teachers. Dr. Lee continued this line of education by serving as a part-time professor at the UCSF Orthodontics Program where he serves as the course director and lectures on clear aligner therapy (e.g., Invisalign). Dr. Pi has continued this line of education as a long-time abacus and mental math instructor.
Why Specialized Orthodontic Education Matters
When it comes to orthodontic care, the difference in education between a general dentist and an orthodontist is significant. Orthodontists like Dr. Lee and Dr. Pi undergo both dental school and an additional 3 years of orthodontic residency. In the 3 years of orthodontics residency, they treated all types of cases from start to finish and went through a rigorous didactic curriculum. In contrast, most general dentists receive only a few lectures on orthodontics in dental school and may take a handful of weekend continuing education (CE) courses. This specialized training is what equips them to ensure every case is thoroughly planned and executed properly, even for the most complex cases.
Board Certification and Lifelong Learning
Dr. Lee’s and Dr. Pi’s educational journey did not end with their degrees. Both Dr. Lee and Dr. Pi have earned board certification, a distinction achieved by only about half of all orthodontists. They both also describe themselves as lifelong learners who keep themselves up to date with the recent advances in orthodontics by regularly attending CE courses. Beyond clinical practice, they have reached a level or proficiency and knowledge where they both can now teach CE courses nationally to other orthodontists, with a focus on clear aligners and InBrace.
Looking for an Orthodontist in Orange County?
If you’re searching for an orthodontist in Orange County who prioritizes patient education and communication, then Life Orthodontics is the place for you. Serving patients from Tustin, Irvine, Santa Ana, Costa Mesa, Orange, Anaheim, and beyond, we take pride in our humble pursuit of excellence and our commitment to providing the best service and experience possible.
Let’s make this school year—and your smile—the best one yet!
