263: Interview with General Dentist & Practice Owner, Dr. Laura Cox Williams

Dr. Laura Williams did not come from a dental family, but by the age of 12 she knew she wanted to be a dentist. Growing up in rural West Virginia, Laura and her family did not know any female dentists to serve as a role model, but her parents valued higher education and encouraged her on this career path. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Concord University, the local state college where both her parents worked, and was accepted to the West Virginia University School of Dentistry in 2001. Upon graduation, Dr. Williams returned to her hometown where she spent the next 16 years working as an associate in four different dental offices, having babies and learning as much as she could about how to successfully run her own practice. Finally, in 2021, the opportunity to purchase a thriving dental practice only 5 minutes from her house presented itself and Williams Family Dentistry was born. Even though the path to ownership seemed bumpy and discouraging at times, Dr. Williams is grateful for every hardship, heartbreak and crazy experience because they helped hone her into the dentist and boss she is today. When she's not fixing teeth, Dr. Williams enjoys quilting, reading and traveling with her husband, Gary, and their 4 children.