Dr. Emily Q Letran

I am a native of Viet Nam and I came to the U.S. in 1981. I graduated Magna Cum Laude in 3 years with a B.S. in Biology from the University of California, Riverside, and then earned simultaneously a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and a Master of Science degree in Oral Biology from UCLA four years later.
Following my graduation from dental school, I completed a General Practice Residency at the VA Medical Center in Loma Linda, CA, where I received additional training in all phases of dentistry. I also volunteered at the Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center in Downey, CA, to learn additional skills in treating medically compromised patients. I am a member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and San Gabriel Valley Dental Society. My passion is to constantly learning new skills through continuing education courses so my dental team can always improve our service in the community.
In addition to being a caring, friendly dental professional, I am also a mother of …three, and enjoy being involved in ALL phases of the my busy kids' lives, including swimming, tennis, tae-kwan-do, fund-raising activities, etc. I believe the great challenge of a female professional is to balance the tasks of work life and family social life, and so far I have successfully approached these tasks with the great support from my family, my dental team, and the communities that we serve.
For me, it is an honor and privilege to be part of my patients' lives, watching kids growing up, grandparents getting old, the passing of spouses and the courage of the people left behind, individuals going through tough times such as job loss or marital separation, etc., all of which remind me that the most important things in life are the relationships that we build with other human beings, and I am proud to be a small part of this great relationship we share with our patients.
A well-rounded education with honors
"I attained a degree in clinical dentistry as well as in the area of research to utilize a comprehensive approach with all my patients.  I also completed additional training through the general practice residency to further enhance and improve my experiences in treating a wide variety of patients."
Doctor of Dental Surgery, UCLA, 1993
Master of Science, Oral Biology, UCLA, 1993
Bachelor of Science, Biology, UC Riverside, 1989
General Practice Residency, Loma Linda VA Medical Center, Loma Linda, 1994
General Practice Residency, Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center, Downey, 1994
UCLA Honors: Dean's scholarship
  Exceptional Performance Reports
UCR Honors: Magna Cum Laude graduate
  Phi Beta Kapa
  Dean's List
Active in the Profession
 "As with all my colleagues, I like to stay in touch with the profession through regular meetings and activities.  Peers are an invaluable source of new information.  Membership in these organizations lets me gain insight into events which are shaping the future of dentistry."
Member,  Academy of General Dentistry
Member, American Dental Association  
Member, California Dental Association
Member, San Gabriel Valley Dental Society
Work Experiences
 "My professional experiences up to this point have allowed me to work with different kinds of patients.  The most important thing I learned is that no two patients are alike, and I respect everyone in his or her own unique way."
1993-1994 Dental Resident, General Practice Residency, Loma Linda VA Medical Center and Rancho Los Amigos Medical Center
1994-1995 Associate Dentist
American Dental Clinic, Baldwin Park , El Monte,and Lynwood
Central Dental , San Bernardino
1995-1996 Associate Dentist and Office Manager
La Habra Dental Center, La Habra
1996-1997 Associate Dentist
Glosman Dental Associates, Huntington Park and Montebello
West Coast Dental Group, Southgate, LA, Paramount
1997-1999 Associate Dentist
Central Dental Group, El Monte
Atlantic Dental Center, Lynwood
1997-present Owner Dentist
  Foothill Dental Center, Monrovia    
1999-2004 Owner Dentist
  Downey Community  Dental, Downey
2004-present Owner Dentist
  Mountain Vie