A childhood dream come true

At the ripe old age of seven, Erin Pegg knew that she was destined to become a dentist — so much so that she would play dress up with a homemade Dalhousie degree.

Erin was one of 44 Dal students who graduated last Friday with a Doctor of Dental Surgery. Soon after graduation, Erin will become an associate dentist with the dental practice she grew up attending as a patient.

“I’ve always loved going to the dentist,” says Erin. “I started going to Dr. Lamond when I was six years old, but it wasn’t until the fifth grade that I was sure I wanted to be a dentist.”

Dr. Lucy Lamond (DDS’92) runs the Dartmouth Dental Centre along with her friend and former classmate Dr. Christopher Baker (DDS’92). As they began renovations to expand their practice, they were also on the hunt for a new associate to join their team.

“I have been treating Erin and her whole family for years,” says Dr. Lamond. “Erin was on the job hunt and we were expanding our practice, it was all just perfect timing. We are a family-based practice so it makes perfect sense for Erin to join our team since she has basically grown up in our practice.”

Family connections

Dr. Lamond fondly remembers Erin’s interest in dentistry as a child.

“I used to send her mom home with masks and gloves for Erin to play dentist with,” she says. “As Erin got older I knew she had a serious interest in dentistry, so she would come in and observe to make sure this was the right fit for her. The rest is history.”

Although Erin is excited to begin her career, she is also sad to be leaving her second family.

“I have mixed emotions about graduating,” she says. “I am excited to begin my career, but I will also miss everyone here at Dal Dentistry so much. As I went through Dal, I noticed my instructors started to trust me more and give me more freedom so I think that helps with being able to think critically and preparing you to work on your own.”

The one thing that hasn’t been worked out yet is whether or not Erin will treat her family at her new practice.

“My whole family sees Dr. Lamond so we haven’t quite worked out if they’ll transfer to me or not,” she says. I guess we’ll have to see, that could be interesting!”