He attended the University of Central Florida, where he met his wife, Gena, who was a professional ballet dancer with Southern Ballet, (she is a native of Hickory, NC). They were married and had their first child, Chris, while there. He earned his Bachelors of Science in Biology in 1988.
Dr. Small attended dental school at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, one of the top schools in the country, from 1988 to 1993. It was there he developed an interest in orthodontics and was involved in research projects in that field for three years. Their second child, Amanda, was born while he attended school there.
In 1993 Dr. Small began his residency at the University of Louisville, a program noted for its education in a wide variety of orthodontic techniques. This emphasis on clinical care prepared him to approach the correction of orthodontic problems in a variety of ways, with each treatment plan tailored to the needs of the individual patient. He earned a certificate in orthodontics and a Masters of Science in Oral Biology from U of L in 1995.
Dr. Small practiced for five years in Central Florida in a practice that dealt with complicated orthodontic problems for patients of all ages. In 2000 he and his family moved to the Hickory/Morganton area and began his current practice. Dr. Small treats patients of all ages using a variety of techniques. He is active in organized dentistry and in the education of dentists, and is a past president of the Western Piedmont Dental Society and the University of Louisville Orthodontic Alumni Association.
Dr. Small and his wife, Gena, live in the Hickory area. Their daughter, Amanda, is completing her medical residency in Pediatrics at Texas Childrens Hospital in Houston, Texas. Their son, Chris, is a sound engineer in a music studio, and lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Laura. David and Gena welcomed their first grandchild, Clark David, in the Winter of 2021. In his spare time Dr. Small likes golfing, hiking, sailing, saltwater fishing, and listening to live music.
Dr. Piers pursued that goal at Hope College, a small, Christian liberal arts school in his hometown, where he triple-majored in Biology, Chemistry, and English with an emphasis on creative writing. On his first day of orientation, he met his future wife, Rachaela captain of the college soccer team who would soon lead the Flying Dutch to three MIAA championships as their Most Valuable Defensive Player. He also began training year-round for the colleges Guinness Record-holding freshmen vs. sophomores tug-of-war, The Pull. This three-hour competition would solidify his passion for working as part of a team. Dr. Piers graduated Summa Cum Laude from Hope College and was elected to both Phi Beta Kappa and Mortar Board, receiving the Erika Brubaker Senior Award for Proficiency in Literature (presented to the top two senior English majors).
It was while living in the islands that Dr. Piers and Rachael first fell in love with North Carolina, flying twice a year to Dr. Piers graduate school campus in Swannanoa, NCtheWarren Wilson College MFA Program for Writers.After earning his Masters of Fine Arts degree in Fiction, Dr. Piers pursued a Doctorate of Dental Surgery at the University of Colorado, where he received the International College of Dentists Leadership Award, the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology Dental Student Award, and was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon.
While in dental school, Dr. Piers was elected national president of theAmerican Student Dental Associationand served as the official spokesperson for its 20,000 members (90% of US dental students). In this role he met with dental leaders and US congressmen, lobbied for procedural changes, and grew further in his commitment to volunteer leadership, eventually reforming Colorado Dental Board policies to protect both dental patients and young dentists in the state of Colorado.
He also began to combine his love for both literature and science through dental journalism. His writing has since appeared in the two most-read publications in dentistry, Dental Economics and ADA News, and he is the 2015 recipient of the American Association of Dental Editors and Journalists (AADEJ) Meskin Journalism Award for excellence in dental student publications. In June 2018, he served as guest editor for the special Millennial Dentists issue of the Journal of the California Dental Association, which received the International College of Dentists Golden Pen Award for importance to the dental profession.
Orthodontics, though, has remained Dr. Piers passion. He has always been interested in the growth and development of the face and jaws, and in dental school he was recognized with the American Association of Orthodontists Award for the Demonstration of Outstanding Qualities in the Study of the Oro-Facial Complex. He was then accepted as one of six residents in the three-year University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Orthodontic Residency, widely known as one of the top orthodontic residencies in the world. Dr. Piers was further recognized with the Greg and Andrew MacArthur Brooks Fellowship in Orthodontics, a three-year fellowship at UNC awarded to a single resident per class. His research on alveolar bone modeling after tooth movement with TADs was published in the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), and he graduated in 2019 with a certificate in orthodontics and a Masters of Science in Orthodontics for his clinical trial comparing customized traditional and self-ligating CAD/CAM brackets.
Dr. Piers is now a Board-Certified Orthodontist a designation held by only 30% of orthodontists. He serves as the only orthodontist on the editorial board of the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), the most read scientific journal in dentistry, and regularly lectures to dental students across the country as an ADA Success Speaker. As an orthodontist he feels unbelievably lucky to get to combine his three passionsscience, writing, and working with peopleevery time he walks into the office.
Dr. Piers and his family love to get outside, and especially enjoy skiing, scuba diving and mountain biking. When hes not in the office creating beautiful smiles, you can find Dr. Piers hiking in the Blue Ridge Mountains with his wife and two children (daughter Kai and son Koa), or grabbing their heavily repaired surfboards to make a beeline for the North Carolina coast.
Drs. Small and Piers are fortunate to be supported by a highly-trained team of professionals who are dedicated to providing our patients with individualized and compassionate care. Our goal is to make sure that every patient receives comfortable, efficient, and excellent treatment at the highest standard of care. We consider it an honor to guide our patients through the process of orthodontic treatment, and were excited to give you a first class experience from your initial phone call to the day you walk out into the world with your beautiful, healthy new smile!
Orthodontic treatment with braces or Invisalign can transform so much more than a smile but well let these Before and Afters speak for themselves. Check out the photos below to see how Drs. Small and Piers are changing lives one smile at a time!
Reviews
Rating 5.0 out of 5 based on 133 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestKayley Vance
a year ago
They worked with my health insurance jumped through so many hoops to make sure I got the medical care I needed and ended up leaving with a smile I can have for a lifetime! Couldn't be more happy about the outcome!!!
Emilie Caudell
a year ago
I have gone to this orthodontist since I was 9. I came back at 26 to fix things that changed over time. Incredible experience since day 1. And so much good came out of this change! Thank you dr small and dr piers for my new smile I can be proud to show off.
Amy Mackey
a year ago
Both of my kids have gotten their braces here. We moved out of the area but continued to make the 6 hour round trip to receive care here for the past 2 years. The kindness and gentleness of the staff and doctors made it well worth the trips. Very happy with the end results for both kiddos.
Brooke Moorefield
2 years ago
Great experience!!
Roger Perez (Roger Junior JP)
2 years ago
This is my second time being here and it's been amazing. Thank you all for changing my life once again and making me feel great. These people are like family to me. I have seen them since I was a kid. Now that I'm older and finished my second journey, I can proudly say that this place is nothing less than perfect to make anyone have a great smile. Thank you all for the smiles and greets. Highly recommend for anyone looking to get your teeth back into place. My TMJ symptoms are long gone and now I can finally rest. God bless you all.
Meredith McSwain
2 years ago
Dr. Small and Dr. Piers are phenomenal! We have two children who have been through the orthodontic process with them and they are professional, trustworthy, and intelligent. Their staff is friendly, organized, and efficient. Most of all, my children adore going! We highly recommend their practice and look forward to returning with our third child in a few years.
Not Gab
2 years ago
This place was incredible! I only had to wear my braces for not even an year and now my teeth are straight and great! Would definitely recommend this place for people who would are looking for a good orthodontist. The staff here was also amazing, treating me very well. 10/10
Jessica Tallent
2 years ago
Love them they're fantastic
Emily Effler
2 years ago
Small & Piers Orthodontics Exceeded our expectations!! The entire process was a great experience. My daughter's teeth look phenomenal. The entire staff are very professional and friendly. I highly recommend!!
Erin McKee
2 years ago
We had huge reservations about pursuing orthodontic treatment for our son due to his high anxiety and sensory issues. Those reservations immediately evaporated when we brought him in for his evaluation. Becky was incredibly kind and patient with our son. She explained everything she was doing with him and allowed him to take breaks when he was feeling uncomfortable. It was so refreshing to not feel rushed and to have his needs respected. Thanks to her patience, he had the best experience we've ever had at an oral health provider - no fears or tears! When I returned to review his treatment plan, Becky addressed all of my concerns regarding sensory issues before I could even bring them up myself. As a special needs parent, I am used to having to switch into advocacy mode, so this was a welcome respite. I am so pleased that our son will be able to get the care he needs close to home!
Kelly Sizemore
2 years ago
Small & Piers Orthodontics Office have provided amazing care to both of our sons. We currently have our 2 sons in braces and this office made it affordable and convenient for us to have them receive the treatment together at the same time. Dr. Small and Dr. Piers have thoroughly explained their treatments, the time involved, the care/hygiene for their teeth and answered any questions we as a family have had. Becky, specifically, has went above and beyond to help appointments fit our family's schedule, to work us in with very short notice when brackets became loose, set up payment schedules and to help answer a million questions I feel like we've had. This office has shown compassion and care to our family through the years as our boys are the second generation to receive their orthodontic treatment.
Misty Garland
2 years ago
Choosing Small and Piers as my orthodontist has been a wonderful decision! I love how friendly and caring everyone has been each time and I LOVE my teeth now! No more side pictures! Thank you Small and Piers! From the ladies up front working with my schedule to all the staff in the back answering all my questions; getting my braces off today and seeing my new smile is one of the best days of my life!
Molly McCabe
2 years ago
The doctors and staff at Small and Piers have been fantastic. Our daughter started her first phase of braces when she was 7 years old and they were extremely patient and kind. The end result is a beautiful smile!
Maura B
2 years ago
Moving across the country during the middle of my Invisalign treatment was a very stressful time. I was very worried about having to transfer my treatment to a new orthodontist. I have always had anxiety about going to the dentist anyway AND I was especially concerned that I would wind up having to pay a lot extra due to the transfer. However, I couldn't believe how easy the transfer process was with Smalls & Piers, and how comfortable I felt going to their office! Every single staff member makes the office so warm and welcoming and I felt like every one of them cared about me and my teeth. For the first time ever I truly had zero anxiety going here. It was surprisingly extremely affordable and the quality of care I got was just incredible. I worked with Dr. Piers and he is just an amazing person, I honestly am SO grateful and feel so lucky I found this practice. I give the highest recommendation possible for Smalls & Piers orthodontics! Thank you all for everything, I can't express how grateful I am for the care you provided and the way I was treated at your office :)
Jordyn Walser
2 years ago
This place is once of my favs, they are so sweet. And they get the job done fast, I love small & piers orthodontics
tasha fleming
2 years ago
I recommend Small and & Piers Orthodontics my daughter and I have both been patients here and now my son super friendly staff and awesome smiles at the end and Becky is the absolute best
Mykenzie Wagner
2 years ago
Amazing experience!!! My teeth moved way quicker and straighter than I thought they would 10/10 would recommend:))
abby moua
2 years ago
Such a wonderful staff!!! Everyone is so friendly and sweet!!! Becky is awesome!!!
Robin Johnson
2 years ago
Super great place, they are so willing to work you, Becky is wonderful at helping, as well as all the staff
Natalie Kanipe
2 years ago
Shout out to the beautiful ladies at the front desk, always making it easy to check in. De took care of me and Lu assisted, what great team work, and they kept me laughing
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