KUALA LUMPUR: The apple does not fall far from the tree for dentist Dr Nor Azlina Mohd Amin.
Her two daughters - Dr Nor Aina Syazwani and Dr Sarah Batrisya followed in her footsteps in terms of career choice. Her son-in-law is also a dentist and works at her clinic.
Her son Dr Muhammad Haziq, 24, recently completed his studies in Dental Surgery from Universiti Malaya and will soon enter the working world.
Her youngest son Muhammad Hazim Iman, 17, is harbouring hopes of taking up dentistry after his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia.
Dr Nor Azlina, 54, has been a dentist for three decades. She began her career in the public healthcare sector for seven years before setting up her own clinic in 2000.
She said her passion for dentistry may have spurred from her interest in jobs related to handiwork and skills-based tasks.
She admitted to never influencing her children to become dentists, but merely supported their choice when they expressed interest in the field.
"I love science, and I also enjoy art such drawing. I even love weaving ketupat.
"That's why I like working with my hands for things like fillings and dental treatments. I also regard these things as art.
"I suppose that is why Allah granted my children to have the same interest."
Her husband, Shaharuddin Ali, 59, has always been thrilled about having their children work in an honourable profession.
"I encourage my children to find work which is beneficial to society. As dentists, we are not only able to obtain steady income, we also receive 'pahala' (rewards)," she said in an interview with Harian Metro yesterday at Klinik Pergigian Azlina, which she owns. It is located near Pusat Perniagaan Medan Idaman, Setapak here.
Dr Nor Azlina said her children were exposed to the work since they were young.
"We don't have a maid, so my husband and I handle housework. We used to bring our children to the clinic when they were young.
"I guess their interest in this field began from that. I only advise them that if they wanted to take over the clinic, they must not play around and keep up with the times.
"I tell them that they need to become better than me and prioritise the patients' satisfaction," she said, adding that the clinic now has two branches.
Dr Nor Azlina's daughter Dr Nor Aina Syazwani, 28, said she became a dentist due to her interest in the field, and her desire to follow her mother's career path.
The eldest of four siblings regards her mother as a mentor.
"I have followed my mother to clinic since I was four years old. Perhaps that is why I developed an interest in dentistry. In school, whenever teachers asked me what my ambition was, I would say I wanted to become a dentist.
"I refer to my mother whenever I need opinions about certain cases."
Dr Nor Aina Syazwani ended up marrying a dentist as well. Her husband Dr Arif Munawwar Maznorbalia, 27, works at her mother's clinic.
"I never placed any target to marry a dentist. I suppose it was fate. If we have children later on, I won't prevent them from becoming dentists if they genuinely have an interest," said Dr Nor Aina, who has a bachelor in dental surgery from Alexandria University in Egypt.
Her younger brother, Dr Muhammad Haziq is also thankful for being born into a family of dentists.
He counts himself lucky because his mother and elder sister often taught him about the work.
"After my foundation studies, I made a shortlist of specialisations. I did consider medicine and physics but in the end, I chose dentistry.
"I have never had anyone say I have a boring career. Most people I meet are quite impressed that I come from a family of dentists.
"Probably the difference is that I am able to learn things that lecturers might not teach in class from my mother and sister."
H said he would want to gain experience in the government sector before venturing into private healthcare.