At Aura Orthodontics, we love transforming our patients’ smiles and in order to be able to straighten even more teeth, Dr. Sharma asked Dr. Everett Lin to join the team. Of course, he accepted. Considering how awesome the patients at Aura Orthodontics are, how could he not? Now, we’ll be able to defeat malocclusions left and right with two doctors on board. To help you get to know the newest Surrey orthodontist on the block, we decided to grill Dr. Lin in a fun game of 20 questions.
But First, a Little Background on the New Aura Orthodontics Doctor
Dr. Lin was born and raised in Vancouver. He’s one of two children – he has a sister Emily – and grew up in a Mandarin-speaking household. He attended St. George’s, where he graduated at the top of his class. Interested in how things work and always tinkering with something from a young age, Dr. Lin went on to study science south of the border at Columbia University in New York City.
While there, he contributed to pioneering research projects in astrophysics, searching high and low for dark matter, which he didn’t find in his dorm room, contrary to reports, and distortions in the cosmic microwave background radiation (perfectly safe). He graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in applied physics.
Having satisfied his scientific curiosities and goals, Dr. Lin was ready to continue his path towards his ultimate passion of being a healthcare provider. He was selected to attend the University of Pennsylvania on a Dean’s scholarship and moved to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s childhood home of West Philadelphia to study dentistry. At UPenn, he served as a teaching assistant for multiple classes and was heavily involved in the community, volunteering his dental expertise both locally at the Children’s Hospital’s refugee clinic and internationally all the way to rural Guatemala.
After studying hard, Dr. Lin graduated first in his class and even received Community Service Honors. He was also a recipient of the Hoyt Teaching Award and inducted into the Matthew Cryer Honor Society. To this day, he remains active in the dental community as a member of the national dental fraternity, Alpha Omega.
Following dental school, Dr. Lin pursued three additional years of post-graduate studies in orthodontics at Rutgers University in New Jersey. This proved to be an excellent decision because while he was there, he met his partner, a Seoul native and fellow orthodontist. On his days off, Dr. Lin can usually be found sleeping 35,000 feet in the air in an aisle seat on his way to meet her in New York. They enjoy Broadway musicals, exotic cuisine, hiking, skiing, scuba diving and travelling together.
As a board-certified specialist in orthodontics, Dr. Lin is passionate about designing smiles to fit each individual patient. He’s driven in his work by his desire to help people experience not only the functional benefits of having a proper bite, but also the social and emotional benefits that come from treatment. Dr. Lin has been trained in the latest and most efficient orthodontic techniques available, as well as in the growth and development of the face and modifications thereof, known as dentofacial orthopedics.
With the understanding that facial development is a lifelong process that doesn’t simply stop at age 18, when creating a treatment plan, Dr. Lin pays particular attention to the aesthetics of and unique harmony between every patient’s facial type and projected orthodontic outcome – and how the two will age together. He centers his philosophy on creating a healthy, beautiful and, most importantly, long-lasting smile for adults, teens and children alike.
Q&A With Dr. Lin
1. What made you decide to become an orthodontist?
Getting my smile fixed changed my own life years and years ago, and I wanted the opportunity to do the same for others!
2. How would you describe yourself in five words?
Honest, hard-working, dependable, thorough, considerate.
3. How did you meet Dr. Sharma?
I was introduced to him by a friend in Orlando at the 2016 AAO conference. I quickly felt Dr. Sharma’s passion for what we do and the life-changing ability it can have on patients. He inspired me from the get-go.
4. What has been the best part so far about coming to work at Aura Orthodontics every day?
We have the greatest patients in the world! That alone is more than enough, but the positive energy and relentless dedication of the whole Aura team make each day immeasurably better.
5. Did you ever wear braces?
Yes. Twice, in fact, with different types of metal braces. And I’m considering a third time in treatment with plastic just for the experience.
6. What do you think sets you apart from other orthodontists?
I’ve experienced treatment two times myself, once as a teenager and then later as an adult. (I didn’t wear my retainers the first time.) In the course of fixing my teeth twice, I’ve also had just about everything but the orthodontic kitchen sink thrown at me: expander, elastics, extractions, bite blocks, anchor pins in the bone, jaw microperforations to stimulate movement, you name it.
As a result, I have a sincere understanding of what patients are going through each day. I’m very particular in my treatment recommendations and I’m totally dedicated to being as efficient as possible.
7. What’s your favourite meal?
Anything involving (at least) moderately cooked meat.
8. What do you like to do for fun when you’re not busy perfecting smiles?
Reading, travelling and spending time with my partner. All three in combination is ideal.
9. What accomplishment are you most proud of?
Talking my partner into that first date with me. She claims she doesn’t regret it.
10. If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?
Teleportation, because Economy Class can be such a pain.
11. What’s the most incredible view you’ve ever seen?
Beautiful Vancouver naturally takes top prize, with a Milky Way starscape in Yosemite Valley and sunset in Santorini taking a distant second and third place, respectively.
12. What’s on your bucket list?
Sandboarding, skydiving and spacewalking. I’d also like to visit as many countries and try as many different cuisines as possible.
13. Do you have any hidden talents?
Not that I’m aware of. Unless overpacking counts.
14. If you could only listen to three albums for the rest of your life, which ones would you pick?
I could probably get by with an album of Beethoven’s symphonies, Ariana Grande’s debut effort and the soundtrack to Disney’s Frozen.
15. What are your favourite books?
Fiction: Toss-up between Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials and Isaac Asimov’s Foundation series. Non-fiction: Guns, Germs, and Steel by Jared Diamond.
16. If someone made a movie about your life, who would play you and why?
Bentley the Corgi Thespian (@poorcorgiactor). He gets me.
17. What’s your favourite holiday? Why?
Christmas. I love the traditions and the festive atmosphere that brings family together. It’s also such a giving season full of generosity and a wonderful time for reflection. And for one day, you can just enjoy the beautiful snow without worrying about how to get to work.
18. What keeps you motivated?
The struggle every day to be better than yesterday for my family, my friends, and my patients.
19. What do you think the biggest benefit of orthodontic treatment is?
Properly planned and executed treatment doesn’t just help idealise your bite, it can also result in a priceless and lifelong confidence boost and can be transformational for the face in the right circumstances.
20. What are the most important pieces of advice you can give patients who are undergoing orthodontic treatment?
- Wear everything religiously: elastics – early and often – to help you finish much faster, and retainers to keep your teeth straight.
- There’s nothing that can’t be cured by some around-the-clock ice cream. (Vigorously followed by proper brushing and flossing.)
- We’re always here for you. It’s an honour and privilege to serve you, so please contact us if you need anything!
