In an exclusive interview with Speakin’ Out News, Dr. Sydney Simpson shares her journey, philosophy, and passion for transforming lives through orthodontic care.
Speakin’ Out News
Introduction:
Dr. Sydney Simpson was born in Chattanooga, TN, raised in Chicago, IL and has lived ainseveral different cities and towns throughout the United States. She has been practicing dentistry since 2012 and followed her mother to Huntsville, AL to open her practice, Making Smiles Orthodontics located on the corner of Highway 72 and Hughes Road in Madison. She completed high school at Whitney M Young Magnet Highschool (First lady Michelle Obama’s alma mater) and went on receive her undergraduate degree at The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. She moved back to Illinois to attend dental school at Southern Illinois University in Alton, Illinois where she practiced as a general dentist for several years before deciding to attend Howard University College of Dentistry to complete her orthodontic residency and receive her specialty degree in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. She is currently the sole orthodontist and owner of Making Smiles Orthodontics in Madison, AL and is working to bring new and exciting orthodontic options to the Huntsville and Madison communities.
Childhood:
1. What words would you sue to describe yourself as child?
Inquisitive, thoughtful and kind.
2. When did you come into your own?
I think I came into my own in dental school. Ask any dentist that you know and they will tell you that dental school was not only one of their most trying educational experiences, but it required them to grow in ways that they may not have if not for that experience. Dental school taught me discipline, determination and the concept of delayed gratification. Each of these lessons has contributed to me becoming the person that I am today.
3. What was the worst rule to break in your family?
Being late. My mother always repeated this phrase: “To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late and to be late is unacceptable.” To this day she still expects me to be at least 15 minutes early to every family function.
4. What is the most important lesson your father taught you?
The most important lesson I learned from both my father and my mother was perseverance. You have the ability to accomplish anything that you want in life as long as you persevere. It may take time and you may have to change course, but eventually you will get there. Another lesson that I find particularly helpful was that no one has the right to define you. You define yourself through your actions, your words and how you carry yourself. People have preconceived notions of what an orthodontist should look like, how they should talk, what their office should like, etc. I know that I do not fit into the mold of what some people think an orthodontist should be. I accept that. I am here to give people something new and different. I want to take all the things that I have learned from the various places that I have been and bring them to my office in Madison.
Career:
1. When and why did you decide on this career path?
I decided to become an orthodontist in the third grade. I distinctly remember asking my orthodontist, Dr. Doyle, what it took to become an orthodontist. He explained the educational requirements, what he did on a daily basis and why he found his job enjoyable. I also began to notice a change in my self confidence as my smile began to improve. I started to speak up for myself more and became involved in more school functions, I even joined some school plays. The combination of science and artistic ability that was present in the field of orthodontics also intrigued me. After these experiences, I was completely hooked and from that moment on I never wanted to do anything else.
2. Describe a typical day on your business.
I get to the office around 7am and I review the patients that I have for the day. I look at their charts so that I can discuss the days procedures in my team meeting, which occurs at 7:30am. After the meeting, everyone completes their various assigned tasks to get the office ready to see patients. While this is occurring, I take time to work on any business that needs to be handled outside of patient care. Once the first patient arrives, the assistant escorts them to the clinical area and our day officially starts. During this time, patients come in for a variety of procedures including wire changes, placement of braces and delivery of Invisalign aligners. I also consult with new patients and, if the patient is able, place their braces the same day.
I am really big on making the process of getting orthodontic treatment as convenient as possible, so if the patient has time and is able, we try to start their treatment the same day. After all the patients are gone, the staff cleans the office and prepares it for the next day. I typically stay behind and finish treatment plans for the patients and review any other non patient business that I did not get a chance to accomplish during the day. I typically leave the office around 6pm.
Mother/Father
1. Are you married and how many children do you have?
I am not married and I have no children but I do have a host of cousins, mentees, nieces and nephews.
2. What do you want your kids and grandkids to learn form you?
Since I don’t have any children of my own I try to instill the value of self reliance in my mentees, cousins, nieces and nephews. Achieving your dreams is hard.
There will be times when you’re on your own because people may not believe in your vision or they simply do not understand it. At times like these, you will have to rely on yourself. No one but you knows exactly what you are capable of or the sacrifices that you are willing to make to accomplish your goals. Do not listen to the naysayers or the people who encourage you to live a life that you do not want. Do what makes you happy! Encourage yourself, do what you think is right, pivot when you need to and learn from your mistakes. Once you reach your goal, you will be happy that you took your own advice.
The Future
1. What are your feelings about growing older?
I am excited to grow older! Not only is growing older much better than the alternative, but growing older is an opportunity to learn. The more life you experience, the more opportunities you have to learn and apply the knowledge that you have learned. Life is a journey that tests us daily. Passing those tests allow us learn more about ourselves and teach the people around us. In this way, we each play a small part in making the world a better place.
2. Have you become the person you expected you would be?
Yes. When I think back to the person that I thought that I would be when I was a child, I can truly say that I have become that individual personally as well as professionally. Now, that is not to say that I am done growing. I think that life is an ever evolving process of learning more about yourself as you live. However, I feel that I am absolutely exactly who I expected to be from the standpoint of my main accomplishments and how I show up in the world every day.
3. What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of being a role model to so many young people. It surprises me how many people are watching you and taking note of what you do without you even realizing it. I have had patients tell me that I have inspired them to go to college or become an entrepreneur. It always shocks me because I don’t set out to inspire, I simply live me life the best way that I know how.
4. Do you think you will ever slow down? Stop working?
No. I really and truly love being an orthodontist! It took me 10 years of post high school education to call myself an orthodontist and while I can’t say that I loved every minute of it, I am happy that I accomplished a goal that I have had for myself since I was 9 years old. Now that I am here, I want to do this as long as I am physically able. I love going to work every day, I love meeting new patients and I love creating new smiles.
5. What are some challenges that you face in business?
Though I have other businesses, this is my first orthodontic office and I am starting it from the ground up. I have worked in dentistry for over 10 years, but I have always worked for someone else. I was never in charge of things like ordering supplies, hiring employees, payroll or marketing. Now all of this lands on me. I am the one in charge and I am responsible for all decisions made in the office. While I love being an entrepreneur, the learning curve is steep. Thankfully, severally of my former classmates have orthodontic offices and I call on them all the time for advice.
6. How may you be contacted?
You can reach us at the office at 256 403 7404 or via email at info@makingsmilesorthodontics.com. You can also find us at our website at www.makingsmilesorthodontics.com , on Instagram at @makingsmilesal or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/makingsmilesal.