Interview: Dr. Eve Chung

While trying to find a compromise that met her parents’ expectations and her passion for a field in the arts, Dr. Eve Chung thought dentistry was the perfect fit.

The alumna twice earned her M.Ed. and DMD degrees from UNLV before assuming the position of Assistant Professor in Residence of Clinical Sciences at the School of Dental Medicine. She’s been a full-time instructor for the past eight years—a surprise, considering she hadn’t considered teaching until some former mentors encouraged her to pursue it.

Now, she is one who inspires others as she helps students transition to dental school and grow into young practitioners.

What inspired you to pursue your field?

It started with my parents wanting me to be in a medical field and me wanting to focus on art. As I got older and started looking at different things to do and exploring different fields, I started shadowing dentists and realized that dentistry involved art with science. For example, when you build broken or missing teeth back to their original shape, or when you create a new and improved smile for someone, you are constantly checking the shape, position, color and overall aesthetics.

I liked that dentistry offered more visual and tactile elements, because I also like to work with miniatures, sculptures and figurines. I like a lot of little things like that, so dentistry became and continues to be more interesting than other fields I was considering.

You are a UNLV student. What attracted you to return as an educator?

Having someone to believe in me. After I graduated and started seeing patients in private practice, I would visit the school and see my former teachers. One in particular, Dr. (Stanley) Nelson, would always ask, “When are you coming to work for us?” or “When are you coming back to teach?” I think he saw something in me that would make a good teacher. It was almost like he had this belief in an ability that I never recognized in myself. Eventually, I started volunteering at the school and after about a year I realized that I really enjoyed teaching.

Are there any objects in your office that have a special meaning?

Yes. Many of my students know that I like cats and mermaids. A few years ago, some alumni gave me this curious little character that combines the head of a cartoon cat character named “Pusheen” with the tail of a mermaid. I suppose you could call it a “purr servant”.

Although the name Pusheen is derived from the Irish word for kitten, the art style is similar to a Japanese genre called kawaii, which roughly translates to a adoring beauty. I love it because it’s so cute and it highlights a way that I, as an educator, can connect with students as people. We can find commonalities through our interests.

If you could solve one problem in the world, what would it be?

Approve, don’t shop! There are so many homeless, abandoned beings out there who need better people to be kind and selfless.

What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?

I really enjoy good food and sharing good food, and I enjoy going out to eat and enjoy introducing good places to eat to my family and friends, but I don’t cook at all.

What is a unique holiday tradition in your family?

In many Asian cultures, the Lunar New Year is the biggest holiday of the year. Traditionally, it is celebrated for at least two weeks and everyone eats dinner with their families and spends a lot of time together. There are festivals, lantern parades, fireworks and other festive events. And there is food everywhere.

This is also the time when parents and adults give red envelopes of money to the children of the family. My favorite part of the Lunar New Year is the fact that it emphasizes family and community. In fact, this holiday is so important to my mom that if we can’t be together, she will still make a place for me and my siblings at her table.

What’s your tip for staying cool?

To stay cool, always have a bottle of water with you wherever you go. And, a more fun tip, get a boba milk tea, or a boba slushie. Both are cool and refreshing.

What is your ideal vacation?

My ideal vacation is to explore the less visited places in Japan. I have traveled to the country many times. There are old temples and ancient cities to visit, the people are so kind and the food is delicious. I’ve been to some of the biggest cities like Tokyo and Kyoto, but there are different islands of Japan and many villages that I haven’t seen. Being able to explore them would be fun. I think seeing all those places would make an ideal vacation.

What advice would you give your younger self?

I think the main advice would be not to set so many trends, especially the ones that dictate how you should look, or what you should be, or what the standard for beauty is. Stressing about such things affects your health and lifestyle.

I think of a recent song by artist Jax called “Victoria’s Secret,” which she wrote about her granddaughter or someone who was babysitting, and she talks about not comparing herself to those models. I feel like if I had heard something like this growing up, it would have helped me not worry about things that don’t matter.