Even as a very young child, 2011 Boettcher Scholar Dr. Matt Iritani knew he wanted to become an orthodontist and join his family’s pediatric dentistry and orthodontics practice.
When he was in kindergarten, he drew a picture with the caption, “When I grow up, I want to be a detes (dentist). I want to roc (work) with Mom and Dad. I want to tech cis (teach kids) how to besh ther teth (brush their teeth).” And when he applied for the Boettcher Scholarship, he wrote his essay about his hope to one day practice orthodontics with his father.
Dr. Iritani, a University of Denver and University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine graduate, now practices orthodontics alongside his father, Dr. Mark Iritani, and works closely with his mother, Dr. Patra Watana, and sister, Dr. Megan Iritani (both pediatric dentists), creating a unique family dental practice. His wife is also a dentist, and they and their young son live close to his parents in the Denver neighborhood where he grew up.
Working, living, and raising their son in his hometown, Matt and his family feel deeply connected with people he and his family have known for decades.
“It felt like my parents were celebrities when I was growing up,” he said. “My mom would see kids from when they were toddlers until they went off to college, and my dad would treat the whole family for orthodontics. Even now my mom and I will be on a walk and she will strike up a conversation with a parent she has not seen in over a decade.”
One big reason Dr. Iritani and his sister followed in their parents’ footsteps was that his parents structured their careers in dentistry and orthodontics so that they could maximize time with their children.
For 20 years they alternated work days so that one of them could be home with the kids every day. They coached his and his sister’s sports teams, judged debate tournaments, and volunteered selling concessions at school events.
“I feel like I’m the luckiest person I have ever met because my parents intentionally chose to spend a lot of time with us as we were growing up, and this continues now.”
Most dental students have a family connection with dentistry, Matt says, likely because they know that dentistry can provide a good work-life balance.
“I’m hoping to live my life a lot like my parents did,“ he said. “Orthodontics affords me the opportunity to set my own schedule, so I am able to spend time with my family.”
Matt and his wife, with help from their parents, have also set up their schedules so that one of them can be home to care for their son every day.
Dr. Iritani uses his time, talent, treasure, and ties to serve the community that shaped him.
He enjoys teaching part-time at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine in the orthodontic department, sharing with students his real-world experience employing new technologies in his practice.
“Teaching is something I have always wanted to do as a way of giving back.”
Matt also enjoys helping aspiring dental students navigate the application process.
For example, he has given talks to both DU and CU students about best practices in applying to dental school and orthodontic residency.
“We have a lot of prospective dental students shadow in our office, and a few staff members are accepted to dental school or going through the application process right now. If anyone in the Boettcher community is hoping to pursue a future in dentistry or medicine in general, please do not hesitate to reach out!”
Dr. Iritani and his family support their community through contributing to elementary school fundraisers, sponsoring the neighborhood swim team, donating to his former school’s debate team, and attending many of their patients’ sporting events.
Matt hopes to continue to strike a healthy balance between nurturing his close-knit family, providing excellent care to his patients, and serving his community.
“As our son (and hopefully more kids) gets older, I hope to coach his sports teams and be involved in his activities like my parents were with me.”
That’s the Spirit of Boettcher.
