GET TO KNOW DR. SAMBATH "DR. SAM" TIEP

Your family won’t have to spend much time at all with Dr. Sam before you realize just how much she truly loves her job! With well over a decade of experience as a pediatric dentist, she’s committed to providing quality care and helping all of her young patients have a calm, friendly, and smile-inducing experience. To learn more about her, keep reading below:

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A DENTIST?

Dr. Sam and her family first came to the United States as refugees, and her father and mother worked very hard to provide for the whole family. Once they were able to visit a dentist, she ended up needing an extensive amount of dental work, including fillings, stainless steel crowns, and more. While Dr. Sam felt a little unsure during the first few visits, the dentist she saw was a very kind person, and she ended up being fascinated by the entire treatment process overall. She especially loved having her teeth cleaned! This fascination stayed with her over the years and ended up fueling a lifelong career.

Today, Dr. Sam truly loves watching her patients grow and seeing their adorable faces smiling and laughing. Watching them transform from hesitant and shy “littles” to confident and inquisitive “bigs” is such a rewarding experience!

WHERE DID YOU STUDY DENTISTRY?

Dr. Sam completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Southern California’s Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry. She was on the Dean’s List and also earned multiple honors, including the Charles Goldstein Award and Doctors Out to Care Appreciation Award. She then completed her General Practice Residency at the Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center, followed by the Pediatric Dentistry Program at Interfaith Medical Center. She later became the Chief Resident of that same program, supervising both pediatric and general practice dental residents.

Dr. Sam is Board-Certified through the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, which means that she’s demonstrated her clinical expertise and commitment to continuing education through rigorous examinations. She has extensively trained in oral conscious sedation. She is currently a member of the following organizations:

  • American Dental Association
  • California Dental Association
  • American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
  • California Pediatric Dental Society
  • American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
  • San Diego County Dental Society

OUTSIDE OF THE DENTAL OFFICE, WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO?

Dr. Sam has a wonderful husband and two silly young daughters. Much of her time is spent with the family: her parents, brother, sister-in-law, and mother-in-law. Everyone is very close, and most weekends are spent cooking, eating, acting goofy, laughing, and going on days out together. They all love music and play multiple instruments too. One day they may start a Partridge Family-style band!

Dr. Sam herself is very passionate about traveling and an avid foodie. Finding new adventures and community events is always high on her list of things to do. She loves dancing, singing karaoke (she’s practically good enough to be a professional karaoke singer!), reading, and watching movies.