With the passing of time, change is inevitable.
Over the past few years, I have come to expect and experience some changes in my life. Living and practicing dentistry in Fullerton for over 36years has been a wonderful and rewarding experience. It has provided me not just with a livelihood, but also a community of wonderful patients who have become like family to me and my coworkers.
With my 65th birthday around the corner, I really want to travel and spend time with my family, while I still have my health. It is therefore with both excitement and a heavy heart that I am announcing my retirement.
My biggest concern has been finding the right person to carry on your dental treatment and assist you with your dental care. I interviewed many very qualified individuals, but when I met Dr. Eric Kim there was an immediate connection. I felt from the moment we met that he would be the perfect person to continue the practice.
Dr Kim has a calm, confident demeanor that I think you will find as pleasant and kind as I do. He has a tremendous amount of dental experience and skills that will raise the bar. He will be able to review your dental history, which is safe and secure in his care, and I will be available if he has any additional questions.
My goal is to make this transition as easy as possible for everyone, and as you have trusted me and my coworkers for all these years, please extend that trust to Dr. Kim.
Thank you for all your support and friendship over these many years. I am leaving you inexcellent hands.
Sincerely,
Dr. Paul E Nelson
I grew up in Diamond Bar until my family moved to Fullerton when I was 12 years of age. I attended Parks Junior High and Troy High School. In high school, I was in the IB program and played football. When I wasn't busy with school, I spent nearly all my free time playing basketball and jumping into swimming pools with friends.
I went to Occidental College for my bachelor’s degree in chemistry. I had a great experience learning on a small campus. In 2011, I moved to Cleveland to attend the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine. Out in the Midwest, I was able to experience heavy snowfall and a slower pace of life. I cherish my time in Cleveland, because it was the first significant amount of time I spent living outside of Southern California.
Upon receiving my degree, I moved to Vancouver, WA, a suburb of Portland, OR. I wanted to experience living in another part of the country. It was a good place to start my career. I gained experience working in a variety of settings, from high-tech private practices to a community clinic focused on geriatric dental care. Also, the hikes along the Columbia River Gorge are unforgettable, and I'm always wanting to return.
About five years ago, I returned to Orange County to be close to my family. I had been searching for the right practice opportunity for nearly two years when I found Dr. Nelson's office. I'm so excited to provide excellent care to a fantastic, loyal patient base. I know that I will be the third dentist for some patients here, and I accept the responsibility of continuing the good legacy of the dentists before me.
In recent years, most of my extra training and studying has revolved around dental implants. They are so important and necessary to help patients replace broken or missing teeth. I am proud to be able to provide same-day treatment for many patients who might have a cracked or infected tooth. Each year, I typically spend two to three weeks traveling to continuing education courses. In January of this year, I spent five days in Puebla, Mexico, where I learned new surgical techniques from a renowned specialist. I am eager to expand my skill set so that I can offer more comprehensive and advanced care in the years to come.
For myself, 2023 will be a year to remember. In March, I will be getting married! My fiancée also grew up in Fullerton (and even went to the same college I did!) but we never met until a couple years ago. We love to explore nature together. Some of our fondest memories involve camping at Big Sur and scuba diving in Cozumel, Mexico.
When I'm not at work or spending time with my fiancé, you can probably find me at a local golf course (recently bit by the golf bug, can't stop playing!) or at the Community Woodshop in Los Angeles. Woodworking is a small hobby of mine that I picked up a couple years ago - just waiting for someone to build a wood-working shop in Orange County! Looking forward to meeting you all!
