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Eileen Chen-Mizuuchi of McKinney on Life, Lessons & Legacy

Eileen Chen-Mizuuchi shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Good morning Eileen, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me starts first and foremost as a mom to my soon-to-be 8-year-old son, Lucas. He—and my family—are my biggest motivation for working hard in my career as a dentist. One of the things I love most about my profession is being able to shape my schedule around my family’s needs. After I drop Lucas off at school, I head into the office and begin the day with a morning huddle with my team.

During that time, we review the schedule, upcoming procedures, and—most importantly—our patients. We make it a priority to know each patient personally and create little touches that make their experience unique. For example, we’ll have The Simpsons playing for a patient who loves that show, or prepare bottles of champagne for a patient who’s about to get married. Those small details go a long way in making our patients feel seen and celebrated.

Throughout the day, every patient’s treatment is tailored to what they want—not just what we think they need. That personalized approach is what sets us apart from other dental offices. We finish the day with an afternoon huddle where we celebrate wins, recognize our team, and discuss how we can make tomorrow even better.

So my days are a balance of family, dentistry, and connection—and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Dr. Eileen Chen-Mizuuchi, the owner and dentist at Illume Dental of McKinney. At Illume, we believe dentistry should feel personal, comfortable, and even a little fun. What sets us apart is the intentional way we tailor every experience to each patient—we don’t just focus on teeth, we focus on people.

My journey as a dentist has always been inspired by my family, especially my son, Lucas. I wanted a career where I could care for others while still being present for my family, and dentistry has given me that balance. I’m passionate about helping patients achieve the smile they’ve always wanted, because I’ve seen firsthand how transformative a confident smile can be. I’m also deeply committed to educating patients about sleep apnea and offering alternatives to CPAP therapy—solutions that can not only improve quality of life, but truly extend it.

At the end of the day, Illume Dental isn’t just about creating beautiful smiles—it’s about building meaningful connections and giving patients an experience that makes them actually look forward to visiting the dentist.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
The person who taught me the most about work is my dad. He immigrated from Taiwan to New York City to complete his residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Even though he was new to the culture and the language, he adapted quickly and worked tirelessly. After his residency, he and my family moved to Clinton, Oklahoma, where he built his practice from the ground up.

From him, I learned the importance of building strong relationships with patients and the value of continuously learning and growing. His dedication and work ethic have inspired me to bring the same care, curiosity, and commitment to my own practice every day.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
During COVID, I faced one of the toughest moments in my career. I had to close my office and honestly didn’t know if I would be able to continue practicing dentistry. When we reopened, we took every precaution—seeing one patient at a time, using medical-grade air purifiers and aerosol removers, and wearing helmets with face shields and N95 masks. The harsh noise from the new equipment even left me partially deaf in my right ear, and it was incredibly challenging to make it sustainable for both myself and my team.

But we pushed through, and thankfully, as the world gradually returned to normal, we were able to fully reopen. That experience reminded me of the resilience and dedication it takes to keep caring for others, even in the most uncertain times.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Absolutely. I’m a very compassionate person and I truly care about the people around me, including my patients. At the same time, I’m also pretty goofy—and I’m lucky to have a team that’s the same way. We love to sing, dance, and have fun together. What you see at the office is the real me, and I think our patients feel that genuine energy when they come in.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days. 
Yes—I get that excited about work! One of the most thrilling moments in my career is showing a patient the smile I’ve designed for them even before we start treatment. We call this a ‘Smile Trial.’ When a patient tells us they don’t smile fully or feel self-conscious about their teeth, we start by actively listening to understand their concerns. Then we design their new smile three-dimensionally and present it over their existing teeth, so they can actually see the potential transformation.

Seeing their reaction for the first time is priceless. And when we finish and deliver their permanent smile, it’s life-changing for them—and incredibly rewarding for me. This is the kind of work that makes me genuinely excited to come to the office every day.

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