BALANCING MOTHERHOOD AND CAREER KRISTEN FRANTZ, DMD MS

Periodontist and Prosthodontist at Periodontal Health and Dental Implants (PHDI), Dunmore, PA

What is your favorite aspect of motherhood thus far?

Watching my daughter flourish and grow so much within her first year of life has been extraordinary. I have loved every stage from her newborn snuggles, to seeing her walk and laugh, to now talking! She is the biggest blessing in my life.

What was your favorite aspect of your childhood that you hope to be able to share with your children?

Spontaneous trips! My parents would come home from work, tell my sisters and me to pack our bags, and we would go on a surprise trip for the weekend. These memories are so special, and I want to continue the tradition with my own family!

What are your main concerns about the world in which your children will grow up?

How do you balance motherhood with your career?

I am very fortunate to have the support of my husband, parents and sisters. It is a collective effort to make sure my daughter is always taken care of so that I can also focus on my career. My mom (a physician) has taught me through example how to be a working mom; she helps watch my daughter during the week or at night if I have a meeting to attend. I am lucky to have the support system that I do!

From whom do you draw inspiration?

My parents! My mom is a physician and my dad is a periodontist. Even though they were working full time when I was growing up, they never missed any of our family or school events. They instilled family values in my sisters and me from a young age. We ate dinner together every night as a family and then did our homework before bed even though I’m sure they were tired from work. I am very fortunate to have the upbringing that I did and it inspires me to do the same for my family.

The increased crime in all cities across the United States. Protecting our children is of the highest priority for me.

What are your favorite aspects about this region?

There are many positives to raising a family in this region, but most importantly this is a safe place. There are opportunities to study at high level schools, participate in sports, and have access to the arts. I also love that my whole immediate family lives here so we get to share in many precious times together! My daughter has two living great-grandmothers and many other family members who get to share in all of her joys!

As a native of the region how would you like to see it change?

The people are what makes this area so unique and special to me. We have a strong community of hard-working and dedicated people in this area who would like to see our region flourish. Downtown Scranton has numerous new restaurants and businesses that are drawing a younger generation of people back to our area. I hope to see further development of our great region and more opportunities for young people. In my field of prosthodontics and periodontics, I want to serve the patients of our area so that they don’t need to travel to bigger cities to have high level specialty care. I take great pride in pro- viding excellent care to all our patients using the best technology available.

Describe a perfect day: Spending time relaxing with my whole family at our lakehouse swimming, boating and spending time all together.

Readers may be surprised to know:

I played the piano at Carnegie Hall twice when I was growing up!

What would you tell your younger self?

Keep working hard. Education is the most valuable resource and all of the dedication is worth it in the end!

Educational background: Scranton Preparatory School University of Rochester, Major Microbiology, Minor Music

University Kornberg School of Dentistry

Residency: Periodontics and Prosthodontics Specialty Certificates and Master of Science: Eastman Institute for Oral Health in Rochester, NY H