My profession allows me to combine my love for physics and biology to change lives. Every day, I get to enjoy the smiles of our patients as they begin their orthodontic journey. Of course, my favorite moment is when the journey is completed and they are thrilled with their new smile!
My quest to become an orthodontist began at the University of Texas at Austin. After three years of undergraduate study, I was granted early admission to the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston where I received my Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 1984. After four years of family practice experience, I was accepted as a resident in the post-doctoral program in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics back at UTDB-Houston where I graduated in 1990.
My commitment to continuing education has taken me to classes and seminars throughout the United States. Examples of this additional education include functional appliance (Herbst) therapy in Oregon to a one-week mini-residency at the orthodontic department of the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill. I am also a past President of the University of Texas Orthodontic Alumni Association.
I have been practicing dentistry for more than 30 years and orthodontics for more than 25. My goal is to provide comprehensive and individualized treatment in a comfortable environment. You will definitely feel at home in our office. Our entire staff strives to provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere for the whole family. We offer monthly contests and a reward system for those in treatment and provide a playroom for the little ones. If you are looking for an office that is family-oriented and will cater to your needs and comfort, our office is for you!
I love getting to know our patients! I truly enjoy hearing about the activities the kids are involved in and the courses they are taking at school. Today's kids are amazing, and I am honored to be a part of their lives. I now get to rekindle these moments as some of my former patients are now bringing their kids into the office for treatment!
The rapport I build with our adult patients often revolves around stories of their kids and grandkids, vacations and where work has taken them since our last visit. The patient-doctor relationship becomes that of one friend taking care of another.
My wife Kathy and I have been married since 1982 and have two sons, Reed and Zack. Both of our sons attended Midway schools and they are both currently pursuing careers as petroleum engineers. In 2017 we welcomed the addition of our daughter-in-law, Stacey who married our son Zack. So our family is growing! When not at the office, I enjoy traveling, golf, hunting, and fishing.
I grew up in the small town of Shallowater, Texas and graduated from Shallowater High School. I then moved across the state to College Station to attend college at Texas A&M University, followed by dental school at Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas. After my graduation from dental school in 2015, Preston and I moved to The Sunshine State for three years where he worked as an orthodontist while I completed my orthodontic residency at the University of Florida. We loved our time in Florida, but we wanted to get back to Texas as soon as possible to be closer to family and friends! Following my graduation, we practiced side by side in Fort Worth until we got the opportunity to join Dr. Collins and his amazing team. We are so excited to make Waco our forever home and get involved in the community!
I decided when I was 13 years old that I wanted to follow in my orthodontists footsteps and become an orthodontist myself. I experienced all kinds of complex orthodontic treatments as a child, and I am so thankful for these experiences now because they help me better relate to my patients! I was a shy, quiet little girl that lacked a lot of confidence in those awkward middle school years. I give my orthodontist a lot of the credit in boosting my self-esteem by completely transforming my smile. My favorite part of my job is watching the confidence that my patients gain throughout their treatment and watching their personalities blossom once their beautiful smiles are revealed.
I enjoy meeting all our patients but especially the younger ones and their parents. I love making kids laugh, helping every patient feel like theyre part of our family, and seeing the end results of treatment! I take the initial and final patient photos along with X-rays and digital scans for diagnostics and treatment planning. I also complete the patient workups for Dr. Collins and Drs. Greer. Im glad to be part of a great team that creates amazing smiles for our patients!
I love watching everyone grow and change as they move through treatment. Seeing a person develop stronger self-esteem and greater confidence as a result of a new smile is the best experience! I work in the clinic where I help patients during visits. I seat and prepare them for their procedure and then sit chairside, assisting Dr. Collins and Drs. Greerwhile supporting our patient.
As Treatment Coordinator of our office I meet our new patients and their families at their initial exam. I get to introduce them to the wonderful world of orthodontics and then follow their progress as they develop a great smile! I love being part of a team that changes lives and working in a fun, friendly atmosphere. As I assist Dr. Collins with the new patient exam, I also review the patient's treatment plan options and help them find a financial arrangement that meets their family's needs. I love answering questions and making sure everyone gets off to a great start!
Outside of work I enjoy life with my husband, Jimmy, along with my son Chris and daughter-in-law Lexi, my daughter Mariah and son-in-law Lamar and our wonderful grandsons Jordyn and Braeden. I am also blessed with a wonderful church family at Mighty Wind Worship Center.
I love working with our patients and families, Dr. Collins, Drs. Greer,and our team: together, we help people achieve awesome smiles that transform their lives! Its amazing to watch a person change during treatment. Each becomes more confident and outgoing, more secure in their appearance, and happier. I love being part of that process! Working in the clinic, I assist Dr. Collins and Drs. Greerwith patients.
Ive been happily married to my husband, Robert, for several years. I have an adult daughter, Blair, and two grandkids, Bella and Jett. For more than 20 years Ive taught aerobic classes at the Waco Family YMCA.
I love playing a role in creating life-changing, beautiful smiles! Dr. Collins and Drs. Greerareamazing orthodontists and my coworkers are part of my family. We work well together to create great smiles for our patients! I work in our onsite lab, where I create custom appliances for patients. I really enjoy creating the retainers, which patients wear after they finish braces. The retainers ensure patients are able to enjoy a lifetime of wonderful smiles!
My husband David and I have been married for more than ten years. We have two children, Marlee and Caden, and live in Oglesby. Were active with the First Baptist Church of Oglesby, love spending time with family, and enjoy traveling.
I am a people-person and love getting to know our patients and their families. Its amazing to watch a person transform, from visit-to-visit, as their smile changes. By the time theyve finished treatment, theyre happier, confident, and have an incredible smile! I work in the clinic, where I assist Dr. Collins and Drs. Greer as theytendto patients and I sterilize instrumentsand equipment, too. I also work at the front desk and handle patient records.
I never get tired of seeing the amazing transformation that happens with each patients smile. As the patient sees the change in the way they look, they feel better about their appearance and more secure in who they are. Its incredible to be part of a practice that helps people with healthier, happier lives! Were one big family here and our patients are part of that family. Working in the clinic, I support patients during various procedures, always checking that theyre relaxed and comfy.
I love talking and laughing with our patients and their parents. We serve the best people and I always enjoy hearing peoples news and stories. Because we see patients often during treatment, weve a real chance to get to know each other. Our patients are my friends and I celebrate with them when they achieve their new smile! I work at the front desk, answering the phones, scheduling visits, and answering questions from parents and patients.
I am happy that I help patients get new smiles! Because I meet people at the start of their orthodontic care, I get to follow their progress. Seeing a person feel better about themselves, and how that changes their life, is incredibly rewarding. I handle accounts receivable and insurance matters for the practice. Working closely with patients and parents, we find financial solutions that fit with their budget, so they can achieve life-changing smiles!