Dentistry gives me a unique set of abilities to help people. While I value all my patients, I am most passionate about relieving anxiety and pain. When a high-anxiety patient comes in, I enjoy the challenge of being able to guide them through their appointments. We are able to rewrite their past experiences so coming to the dentist is a more enjoyable experience.
When I talk to patients about the issues they have and put pieces together to find a path to oral health, it is like a puzzle and is very satisfying to find the source of their problems. I enjoy the artistry that goes into dentistry as well. There are many times it feels it feels like arts and crafts, but with high-speed power tools!
My goal as a dentist is to welcome all patients into my practice with kindness and attentiveness. You will be given the time and space to speak and listen. I not only prioritize your oral health, but your whole body health.
Education and Experience
I have a lot of influence from my family to join the oral healthcare field. My father is a dentist and my grandfather was a dentist. I started in the dental field as an assistant when I was 16 years old! After high school, I moved to New Orleans to attend Louisiana State University for my Bachelor of Science degree. Then, I completed my Doctorate of Dental Surgery at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center.
I always choose continuing education with my patients in mind. If a course will benefit my patients, then it is worth taking!
Professional Affiliations
- Louisiana Academy of General Dentistry
- Greater Baton Rouge Dental Association
- Capital Study Club
- CDOCS
- Spear Education
- American Academy of Facial Esthetics
- Speaker at American Dental Hygienists Association
- Speaker at Louisiana State University Pre-Dental Society
- Academy of General Dentistry
- American Dental Association
Outside the Office
I met my wonderful husband, Seth, during dental school. We have been married for five years and we have a sweet puppy named Max, a rat terrier, Chihuahua, and Australian shepherd mix we adopted through Dante's Hope.
Seth and I spend a lot of time with Max. I am usually doing a craft of some sort, either engraving, crochet, sewing, painting, polymer clay, or calligraphy. We enjoy travelling, especially if we can make it a driving trip and bring Max with us. I love to read! I will read all sorts of genres. My current favorite genre is romance, but I also love historical fiction, science fiction, history (especially stories about women during World War II), contemporary, fantasy, or mystery. I like to do some DIY projects around my house with my handy-dandy miter saw and brad nailer. You may also catch me singing around town with my Jazz combo, “Sabrina and the Teen Witches.”
In the Community
I have always enjoyed being active in the community and giving back. There is always a sense of fulfillment when you are active in improving the lives of those around you.
Portwood Dental hosts a biannual philanthropic drive at our office. In the summer, we host a "Take a Bite out of Hunger" food drive to benefit the Baton Rouge Food Bank. During Christmas, we host a "Deck the Halls" of Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital toy drive to benefit the local children's hospital and help families receiving care during the holidays.
Personally, I am a committee member of the Louisiana Mission of Mercy project through the Louisiana Dental Association. This project is a day of free dental work for the underprivileged and needy throughout the local areas. I have participated in many of these projects before and this is my first year as a committee member. I have been a participant of the Tooth Bus as well, where we partner with Healing Place Church to provide dental work to the underprivileged and needy in the community. I also participate with Habitat for Humanity to build homes for those in need.
I hope that in giving back to the community, I can leave it a little better than when I found it or brighten even one person's day by my actions.
