The values of integrity and honesty are very meaningful to me, and building solid relationships based on trust is paramount. Providing the excellent care our patients deserve and demand is a huge responsibility, and our dental team always strives to provide high levels of integrity, competence, and compassion.
Personally, my interactions with such a wide variety of patients provide a great deal of gratification in several ways. I get to know people from an endless variety of educational and cultural backgrounds, as well as encountering a multitude of different dental problems that my professional training and experience allow me to provide care for. Dentistry has been and continues to be very engaging, gratifying, and fulfilling on many levels.
I love to work with my hands and create things; art classes in high school were my favorite. While attending St. Edwards University for my undergraduate education, I decided that dentistry would allow me to use this creativity to help those in need. I continued on to the University of Texas Dental School at San Antonio where, in 1984, I received my Doctorate of Dental Surgery.
I am a firm believer in continuing education, and in addition to reviewing numerous articles in dental publications, I attend a variety of courses throughout the year. This enables me to provide my patients with a broad range of treatment options to suit their dental needs. In recent years, I have concentrated on dental implant courses due to the huge demand from our patients for implant-supported crowns and dentures. To me, learning new procedures and applications is very interesting.
I have been with my wife Christine, a massage therapist, for 34 years. She loves animals and is a regular volunteer at the Austin Humane Society. We have one son, Grant, who is studying geology at the University of Texas at San Antonio. We currently have two dogs and frequently foster dogs from the Humane Society that are up for adoption.
I truly love the outdoors, especially fishing, hiking, jogging, and diving, and have spent many fine days hiking and camping in Big Bend National Park and the Devils River State Natural Area. My other favorite destination is the Texas coastal region for all types of fishing. I find the serenity and solitude of fishing to be very refreshing.
Since I have lived in Austin my entire life, I naturally have a strong sense of connection to the community. There are many people of all ages in our city who suffer from dental problems so severe that the quality of their life and systemic health is negatively affected. All too often I have seen the suffering and anxiety that dental infections can lead to, and it is simply part of my calling to reach out and help.
I work with the Capital Area Dental Foundation and their various programs to provide care to patients who cannot access routine or emergency care on a regular basis. Many of these services are provided at a reduced or no-fee level.
We recognize that all our patients are unique and deserve to receive dental care that reflects their individual needs. Our experienced and talented dental team is committed to working with you and your family to create a comfortable, stress-free, and rewarding dental experience every time you visit our practice. We are pleased to welcome you and your family, and we look forward to working with you.
I began my career in dental hygiene in 2005, and split my time between the offices of a general dentist and a periodontist. I worked with quite a few general dentists all over Austin before landing my dream job here with Dr. Keith in 2009. My favorite aspect of my job is getting to know my patients and their families and educating them about their dental health. Weve seen many patients improve their health dramatically over the years and it has been extremely gratifying! I have known Dr. Keith since we were in middle school and have always admired him. He has established a well-deserved reputation as a caring, gentle, and tremendously gifted dentist.
Personally, I am extremely happily married, the father of three grown kids, and have several hobbies, the most expensive of which is playing guitar with a local band, The Shelton Ray Band. I love all Texas Longhorns sports and still love Austin despite the many changes over the years.
I have an awesome, loving family that consists of three great boys and two sweet dogs. My favorite activities include puzzles, painting, sewing, listening to country music, and traveling to see my adorable grandkids.
My primary goal is to make our patients feel as comfortable as possible while helping Dr. Keith complete what is needed. I also assist with chairside procedures, sterilization duties, and office supply and dental supply ordering. Every day brings a new challenge and a new opportunity for me to learn. Dr. Keith deserves the credit for opening the door into the dental field in general for me. He thought I would make a great fit with his office, and Im so glad he brought this experience to me; I love my job!
Family is the most important thing to me, so when Im not working I enjoy spending as much time with my parents, siblings, and my three beautiful and energetic nieces as possible. My husband, Chris, and I enjoy spending any spare time with our furry kids: a dog named Monte and a cat named Mimi.