MEET DR. JENN VALE CRUZ
Downtown
Dr. Jenn traces the roots of her career back to a childhood fascination with dentistry. She values the central location of Dental Express Downtown, attracting a diverse clientele. Beyond dentistry, her love for the outdoors, fishing, hiking, and engaging in culinary pursuits with her daughters reflects her commitment to a balanced life. Driven by the core value of integrity, she highlights the importance of trust and honesty in the patient-provider relationship.
Throughout her career, she finds fulfillment in the continuous advancements in dental technology, allowing for better treatments with less chair time, while acknowledging the challenge of understanding each patient’s unique background and expectations.
Why did you become a dentist?
I always had a really good dentist when I was growing up. I enjoyed going to the dentist and my dentist used to let me watch what he was doing. I’d get a hold of mirror, and he’d show me things and educate me. It got me really interested in becoming a dentist. I used to pretend I was a dentist when I was a kid. When my sister would have loose a tooth, I used to sit her down a chair, wash my hands with Listerine, and then wiggle out the tooth for her.
Where did you go to dental school?
I attended Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health in Mesa, AZ.
What is your favorite part of your dental practice?
I like Dental Express Downtown because it’s centrally located. We get a good mix of patients from all different backgrounds. Some come in for conferences; there are lots of people traveling, and others who have lived in San Diego for a long time. Our team at Downtown works really together; everyone is very much like a family.
What are your passions outside of dentistry?
My family and I really like to be outdoors. We enjoy fishing and hiking. I also like to cook and bake with my daughters.
How do you help cultivate the Dental Express team?
At the heart of our team, we all are very much on the same page in terms of patient care. As healthcare providers, we are here to help people, and we are always looking out for the best interests of our patients. We really try to see things from our patient’s point of view in terms of treatment planning and offering same day emergency treatments. I think it’s easy for us to work well together because we all have that same core value of wanting to help patients above all else.
What would you say is the highlight of your career?
I don’t think there’s been just one highlight, I think it’s multiple highlights throughout my career. I feel like dental technology has gotten so great that we can offer better treatment and care . Patients are becoming happier with dental care too. We are able to do more and so every year it gets better in terms of how we’re able to treat patients and the quality of outcomes we provide.
Of Dental Express’ five core values (integrity, empathy, adaptability, collaboration, and whistle while you work) which do you feel is the most valuable to you as a dentist?
Integrity is the most valuable. Without that trust and honesty between patient and provider, you can’t get very far.
What is your greatest challenge working as a dentist?
The greatest challenge is understanding where everyone is coming from. Each of our patients has a different background and different past experiences. They have different expectations. I really try to customize the patient experience.
Who is your hero?
My hero would be my parents. Their strong set of values and ethics made me the person I am today. As immigrants, they worked so hard to give my sister and I opportunities for a better life.
