Sometimes life's journey has unexpected detours that can be blessings if you just look for the opportunity in the adversity. Pediatric dentist, Dr. David Snodgrass has chosen to look for those opportunities when faced with adversity throughout his personal life and career.
Snodgrass-King is one of the country’s largest multi-specialty dental practices, typically seeing 40,000+ patients a year in their four offices. What you may not know is Dr. Snodgrass’s journey to dentistry did not come without detours.
He grew up modestly in Gate City, Virginia, and Kingsport, Tennessee with his cousin, Mary Louise, living next door. She was often mocked and picked on due to a rare birth defect. From a very young age, Dr. Snodgrass became aware of how those with differing needs were viewed and treated unfairly. His experiences with Mary Louise shaped him into the man he is today - a compassionate champion for individuals with differing abilities - where they are seen as equals, where time and attention are freely given, and patience, grace, and understanding are always extended.
Dr. Snodgrass was awarded a music scholarship to attend college, but his first detour, poor grades because of a lack of motivation, ultimately led to leaving college and enlisting in the US Army Reserve where he proudly served for 8 years. In 1970, he went to work at Mason Dixon Truck Lines as a special equipment coordinator. In the evenings and on the weekends he continued his love of music, playing trumpet alongside some of the best musicians in the industry and with his own band, The Castaways.
His second detour occurred when he was laid off due to the economic downturn in 1976. He re-enrolled in college with more focus and a vision to become a pediatric dentist. He earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Tennessee in 1984, but not without another detour in the midst of his schooling.
While in his second year of dental school, he witnessed a stranger being beaten “within an inch of his life.” Dr. Snodgrass grabbed the aggressor, but in doing so was shot, with one of the bullets striking him in the left temple. He lost vision in his left eye and was forced into a year long delay, but was determined that nothing was going to keep him from his dream of becoming a dentist. “Having vision in one eye has made me a better dentist and a better person. I would do it all again.” After he returned to school, he met his future wife, Melody, a surgical nurse at Baptist East Hospital.
As chief resident during his second year of residency at Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Dr. Snodgrass had two patients that left such an impact on him that he was determined to learn all he could about pediatric growth and development. To that end, while in his residency program, he simultaneously took a two-year course to learn orthodontics that led to the invention of the “Snodgrass Appliance.” This ultimately eliminated the need for pulling multiple teeth, as it offers the benefit of two appliances in one and is still used around the country 30 years later.
Dr. Snodgrass and Melody opened their first office in Hermitage, Tennessee. Unlike other dentists who referred patients out for orthodontic work, Dr. Snodgrass incorporated orthodontics and general dentistry and became the first multi-specialty practice in Tennessee. From his first seven patients to today, Snodgrass-King sees over 40,000 patients a year and has treated over 3,500 cases of physically handicapped and medically compromised children under general anesthesia. Melody, newly retired from management of the practices is also credited with designing the office. “Our original 1,500 square foot office was so sterile and boring and I wondered, 'Why?' We are a pediatric dental office so let’s design this with kids in mind.” With their signature leopard print carpet, TVs mounted above each dental chair, arcade games, fish tanks, and at one time, a turquoise Harley Davidson in the waiting room, it is no wonder kids (and parents) want to come early for appointments. Melody was instrumental in the decision for Snodgrass-King to be the first dentist to advertise on television. Marking 35 years in practice last month, the Snodgrass-King philosophy has not changed - “If anyone is in pain, it doesn't matter the time of the day, come in, and we will treat you.” Dr. Snodgrass has trained and mentored more than 100 dentists and dental assistants.
One of those is Dr. Terry King. Terry’s dream was to practice alongside his father, Bill, also a pediatric dentist, and a close friend of Dr. Snodgrass. Unfortunately, Dr. William King passed away before the dream of a father/son practice could be realized. Dr. Snodgrass offered Terry, in his second year of residency an opportunity to work alongside him in the Snodgrass Dental practice. Two years later, Dr. Terry King became a partner and the Snodgrass-King partnership was formed.
Together the two have built, equipped, supplied, and staffed a dental clinic in Haiti since 2006. Drs. Snodgrass and King have taken medical teams of 15-20 staff members to Haiti and the Dominican Republic where they supplied and ran a free dental clinic. “When we finished building our clinic, we shipped and donated dental equipment and supplies to other dentists in Haiti. And every time we revisited our clinic, we resupplied theirs. By doing this we built up a long-lasting trust.”
A valued lecturer and mentor, multiple-journal-published author and former assistant clinical professor at both Vanderbilt and Meharry Medical College, School of Dentistry, Dr. Snodgrass still finds the most joy in giving kids a smile. “I always want to be more than just a dentist to my patients.” He treasures letters from patients and parents thanking him for work he has done, wisdom he has shared, and smiles he has saved.
When asked if he plans to slow down or retire, Dr. Snodgrass, a father of three, grandfather to two with another on the way, laughs “Why would I stop doing what I love? I like going to work. God has blessed us in every single way.” Many of his staff agree as many have been loyal employees for 15 - 20 years.
There will always be uncertainty in life, yet Dr. David Snodgrass would not change a thing. He has learned to embrace life’s detours and shares his story to inspire others. SnodgrassKing.com
