Being a dentist means I have been given a great gift, one I have to respect and use to better the lives of others. That I am able to help people get beyond their fears, to restore their health and chewing ability, to improve their smile which increases their self-confidence as they move through world, means I am blessed. There are few professions where an individual is allowed to be such an active participant in changing lives for the better, but dentistry is one. I am the fourth generation in my family to be in healthcare. My great-grandfather, John Harvey Kellogg, MD, was the doctor who invented Kellogg corn flakes breakfast cereal. His son and then my father were both dentists, and now there is me. My great-grandfather was a pioneer in health and believed that dentistry was essential to a person’s well-being: having the ability to properly chew one’s food and consume healthy foods is essential. Being able to provide health to my patients is my focus. The patients who come to my team and me are incredible individuals. We love to see them excel in their lives, and we support their success through helping them feel better, look better, and smile more often. Our patients entrust us with their health and restoring their mouths. We do not take that responsibility lightly and do all we can to ensure that their treatment achieves amazing results. As a dentist, I am particularly honored when a patient who has dental anxiety works up the courage to come in for treatment. Here, we are non-judgmental and compassionate. We will make sure that each patient feels no pain and that he or she leaves our practice smiling, having learned that a visit to us is not something to worry about.