AOP: Tell us about you and your work.
Britany: I am a dentist, specifically a periodontist, which is a gum and dental implant specialist. My job is a significant hobby of mine because I love what I do. I love working with my staff and my patients are my family.
What is interesting about periodontal disease is that it almost always has a medical condition related to its development or progression. If you smoke and are over 30, you have a 100% chance of having periodontal disease. That is my fun periodontal fact for the day.
Seriously though, most patients who have gum disease may also have undiagnosed diabetes or uncontrolled cardiovascular conditions that we screen for and help address with their family care physicians.
I have been a periodontist for the past nine years and am married to a periodontist/prosthodontist, Dr. Luis Guzman. He is a digital dentistry genius who helps reconstruct patients with full-mouth dental restorative needs. We met in residency and fell in love over an extraction and socket conversion lecture that we helped prepare.
AOP: You have multiple children and multiple periodontal practices. How do you manage it all?
Britany: Every time I get pregnant, I get the urge to open a new business. So yes, we have three practices and three kids, and it is a lot. I can only manage it with help. I have the most supportive family. After graduating from my specialty program, I moved back to Auburn and now live in my childhood home. I live next door to my parents, my father-in-law lives with us, my mother-in-law lives close to us, and my brother-in-law is our other neighbor. This is the only way my husband and I can do what we do. My family support at home and my family support at work complete me. I live to work, and I work to live. There isn’t a day I don’t talk to our entire family and staff. They ensure the wheels go around, and I am along for the ride.
AOP: Being a working mom can truly bring on the mom guilt sometimes. How do you handle it, and what advice do you have for other working moms?
Britany: Mom guilt is real. How do you handle it? Let me know when you find the solution. The only way I have learned to cope is to bring the children and involve them in what we do. If we are running late, then the kids come to the office after daycare or school. My patients already know their names, and sometimes, in those late-night situations, the kids are there.
The hardest thing for me to deal with is missing a milestone. I try to be there as much as possible, but it hurts if I don’t hear them say mommy first or see them blow their nose.
The best advice I can give is that when you are there…be there. I try to be 100% present with them and make that time count because life is short. I lost a friend this year to cancer, and it reminded me to appreciate every second with my children.
AOP: What is an important lesson you plan to teach your children?
Britany: The most important lesson I plan to teach my children is fairness and kindness. Sometimes, in today’s world, it is harder doing the right thing. I want them to do the right thing, even if it is the harder thing to do.
AOP: What has been your proudest moment as a mom?
Britany: The proudest moment I have had so far is seeing my oldest child give up something he was playing with and give it to my youngest child to make him feel better. You always hope your children will take care of and support each other. I know there are many different milestones the children have accomplished, and those are categorized and quantified at school, but this one filled my cup with joy.
AOP: Summer is on its way. Do you have any fun plans for your family this year?
Britany: We can’t wait to spend time by the pool with our family and catch some vitamin D! We hope to teach our middle child how to swim, and our oldest is eager to get back out there this year!
Rapid Fire Questions:
- Sweet or Sour? Sour
- What season is your favorite? Winter
- Coffee or Tea? Coffee
- What is your favorite food? Cachapa
- Books or Movies? Documentaries
Dr. Britany Matin and her husband Luis are a power couple, owning three periodontal practices – one in Auburn, one in Huntsville, and one in Columbus, GA. They have three children – Luke (6), who is the builder and creator; Isabella (4), the caretaker; and Gabriel (2), who is the family’s personal Spiderman. When she isn’t working, Britany loves to craft, sew, crochet and Cricut. The family loves to be outside together, and Luis usually coaches soccer for the two oldest kids.
Author: Staff
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