In 2015, I was accepted into NYU’s Oral Surgery Program for International Dentists, where I earned a certificate from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. It was just the beginning. I was then honored to be accepted into the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, one of the top Ivy League dental schools in the country. Earning my DMD from Penn was a dream come true—it sharpened my clinical skills and shaped me into the dentist I’d always aspired to be. Still hungry to grow, I completed a year-long residency in Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) at Temple University.

By the time our daughter Zuri was born in 2020, our little family had lived in New York, Philadelphia, and everywhere in between. But I was ready to plant roots—something I’d never truly done before. When we visited Chattanooga, we instantly fell in love. The kindness of the people, the pace of life, the strong sense of community… it just felt right. For the first time in my life, I felt like I was home.

Since then, both my professional career and personal life have blossomed here. In 2023, we welcomed our son Riaan, and with his arrival, Chattanooga became even more special to us—it’s the place where our family truly began to grow.

A few years into practicing in Chattanooga, I had the opportunity to join Dr. Philip Carson’s office as his associate. It was a unique opportunity—his practice had a rich legacy spanning over 70 years. Originally established by his father in the 1950s, Dr. Carson carried the torch with humility, honesty, and quiet excellence since taking over in 1989.

In 2020, just before the pandemic, the practice was sold to a corporate group. I was hired as their associate and had the privilege of working alongside Dr. Carson. A few months into the role, I was offered a partnership—but something didn’t feel quite right. I had spent over a decade practicing dentistry across two continents. Ownership was the next logical step, but I wanted it to mean something.

I spoke with Dr. Carson, and he encouraged me to try purchasing the practice from the corporation. In what I believe was truly divine timing, exactly one year to the day after I joined as an associate, I officially became the owner—on April 1, 2025.

I know I have big shoes to fill, but I carry Dr. Carson’s wisdom with me every day. Once, I asked him the secret to his success. He told me:
“Tee, treat every patient the way you’d want your parents or children to be treated. And remember—people might not know dentistry, but they always know when you’re being honest.”

Those words are etched in my heart and guide the care I deliver each and every day.

I’m incredibly grateful for the journey that led me here—and I can’t wait to meet you and welcome you to our dental home here in Chattanooga.