Where were you born?
I was born in Winston-Salem, NC, along Tobacco Road. Home of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Texas Pete, and R.J. Reynolds.
My house was always a hub of kids in and out. My parents never knew how to say “no” to friends coming over and hanging out. There were a lot of sports. Whatever sport was in season, I was playing it. Everything…baseball, basketball, soccer, football, golf. If I sit back and reminisce, I remember my bike was all the freedom that I needed and I used to ride that thing everywhere.
Did you always want to be a dentist?
I did not go to dental school until later in life, I was 31 when it began. After college, I worked in advertising and sales and during the economic downturn of 2008 while working for a bank, I lost my job. That was when my wife Riley and I decided that I would pursue dental school. However, I had a degree in Economics, so I had to take all the pre-dental/pre-medical prerequisite courses. I was newly married and a new dad, so it was a lot to handle. We might not have made it without both sets of our parents and all the help that they provided. Riley and I were young when we got married and losing my job was a tough blow early in a marriage. We certainly did not know what lay ahead but Riley kept it all going. She worked full-time and handled everything at home while I spent time at school and during my residency. She is the unsung hero of our story.
What brought you to Huntsville?
My wife’s hometown is Huntsville, so we decided moving here was the best choice for our family. We have been here since June of 2018, and it has been fantastic to put down roots in a blossoming city like this. There are now 3 children in total, a 13-year-old daughter and two sons, one is 8 and the youngest is 3. Add in our 2 dogs, Charlie and Duck, and it is a house full of chaos.
What sets pediatric dentistry apart?
I think as pediatric dentists, we set ourselves apart as a specialty in the methods we use to help create willing and cooperative participants in their dental visits. Everyone has their own style but at the end of the day, it’s the time we are willing to spend managing a child’s fear and behavior that makes the biggest impact. Just like I would want a trained endodontist to do a difficult root canal on my tooth, I want parents to realize that we specialize in children's care. For pediatric dentists, the difficulty is ensuring that our patients want to climb back in the dental chair after getting through something that they thought was going to be scary or painful. For younger patients especially, we work at their pace and try to keep their visits short and happy.
Were you ever afraid of the dentist?
As a child, I don’t think that I was ever afraid of the dentist. I remember not liking fluoride treatments because of how bad it tasted. But man, we have come a long way, and that part is much better nowadays. I had my first filling done when I was 12 years old. I still have the same filling today. The doctor who did it, Dr Wanick was from a bygone era of dentistry. I remember he moonlighted as a taxidermist and he had a little refrigerator with glass-bottled cokes in his waiting room. While things have changed a lot since those days, the goal remains the same…to keep your patients comfortable! Although I am not sure I will offer cokes anytime soon.
What are your favorite children's books?
I remember reading The Berenstain Bears and The Spooky Old Tree over and over as a little kid. There was a schoolyard across the street from my childhood home and my dad had convinced me that the big old oak tree at one end of the field was the actual Spooky Old Tree. All three of my kids have had that book read to them.
Favorite sports team?
I bleed Carolina Blue. I love sports and watch them all. This year, I watched UNC lose to Alabama in the Sweet 16 with four Alabama fans and I will just say that it was not my favorite experience.
For younger patients especially, we work at their pace and try to keep their visits short and happy.