Family first: DDS grad and second-generation dentist inspired by loved ones

By Diane Peters

Family-oriented Emma Jutlah always knew she’d follow after her parents when it came to her future.

Both went to the University of Waterloo for their undergraduate degrees, so studying there was a given. But her mom took urban planning. “I didn’t get the planning genes,” she admits. “My mom’s program required a little too much public speaking, and I was absolutely terrified of that. I’m pretty lucky that my dad’s route did not.”

Visits to Brian Jutlah’s dental office near their home in Mississauga as a youth showed her, early on, that dentistry was a fit. She appreciated the kind and welcoming staff, plus marvelled when she saw dental healthcare in action. 

“They worked very seamlessly together. I love being on a team,” says Emma, who is also a talented all-round athlete and soccer player. “Dentistry also involves science and working with your hands. I was like, ‘I’m in.’” 

After completing a degree in biomedical sciences at Waterloo, Emma came to the Faculty of Dentistry. She just crossed the stage at Convocation Hall to receive her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and will soon start a general practice residency in dental oncology at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. After that, she plans to join the family business.

The respect, compassion and care Emma shows her family — which includes younger sister Lauren, who’s following her education path almost to the letter — has deeply influenced her endeavours as a student, researcher and clinician.

“She never seeks recognition and just gets the job done. She gets along with absolutely everybody,” says assistant professor, teaching stream Joel Rosenbloom, who is also head of student life at the Faculty.

Emma’s younger sister Lauren, meanwhile, is living proof that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. She also did biomed at Waterloo, joined U of T Dentistry — she just completed her second year — lives in the same building as her sister and also plans to practise at Jutlah Dental in time. 

Lauren admires how her sister is always game for new experiences. “She’ll say yes to just about anything.” For instance, Emma joined a U of T engineering intramural soccer team, not knowing anyone. “She’s very open minded.”

At the start of her postsecondary career, back at Waterloo, Emma found herself very busy with sports, joining the varsity soccer team in her first year. 

“My whole life was three places: my residence, the library and the soccer field.” By second year, she pivoted to intramural sports. While she made time in her fourth to co-found a club to combat child abuse and misinformation about the issue, she focused on her studies to ensure she could gain acceptance to dental school. 

And while Emma could have followed her dad yet again to do a DDS at Western University, she liked what she heard about U of T Dentistry. Plus, she was drawn to its outreach programs and the school’s proximity to home in Mississauga.

Once she started the program, she knew she’d made the right choice. Early on, Emma tried a range of intramurals: volleyball, dodgeball, touch football and table tennis. Taking up ultimate frisbee and playing well out of the gate impressed Lauren. “She was great at it.”

In between third and fourth year, Emma joined the 1000 Smiles service rotation to Jamaica. She was blown away by the fact that patients lined up starting at 4 a.m. She loved getting so much hands-on experience with whatever tools were at hand. “It was very rewarding, being able to help so many people.”

She also bonded with the other students. “I got to know more of my classmates in a different environment. We’re a bit more relaxed, but at the same time we’re working together as a team to make things go as smoothly as possible.” She says she’s made many friends at the Faculty she expects to be lifelong ones.

All through their academic journeys across two universities, the sisters leaned on each other. Emma would give Lauren the inside scoop on professors while Lauren offered Emma quick reviews of concepts she’d previously learned, which was especially helpful as she put didactic learning into practice in clinic. “I help her with a couple of things, and she'll help me with other things. It’s a very symbiotic relationship,” says Emma.

After graduation, Emma could have joined her father’s practice right away, a place where she’s worked as a receptionist, observed procedures and shadowed her dad — and many of the staff have known her since she was a child.

“I want to explore different areas that we didn’t get to focus on as much in school,” says Emma. The new dental oncology program at Princess Margaret seemed ideal.

It’s a chance to satisfy her endless curiosity, work as part of a top team, and pick up skills that will be valued at the family general practice.

“I feel like being able to offer more to patients benefits them and it benefits the hospital as I don’t have to refer everyone,” says Emma. “And I enjoy being able to work in several different aspects of dentistry instead of focusing on just one.”

For more images from Dentistry's convocation, visit our photo gallery.

Top and middle photo: Jeff Comber; Bottom photo: Courtesy Emma Jutlah