Why She Was Nominated

Dr. Butler knows that all the training in the world might not help her win over a frightened patient, but she loves the challenge. “If I do a good job educating patients about what they need and why they need it, we can walk them through even an uncomfortable and scary procedure.”

Inspiration

While in nursing school, Dr. Butler realized she wanted to be an involved mother and wife. “My dad is a periodontist, and I remember how present he was in our lives. So I chose dentistry and gravitated toward surgery.” Dr. Butler and her husband now have twin 5-year-old girls and a 3-year-old son.

Favorite Aspect of Dentistry

“The huge oral-health and systemic-health link.”

Philosophy

Dr. Butler says her first three years at her practice taught her that if she sticks with the basics of treatment planning and periodontal diagnosis, her work will stand up. “But there’s a place for new techniques,” she says. “A good practice incorporates both.”

Exciting New Trend

LANAP treatment for periodontal and perio-implant disease. “It’s a great alternative to traditional bone surgery.”

Tool She Can't Live Without

Nd-YAG laser for LANAP, and her periodontal probe.

Advice To Aspiring Dentists

“Be authentic, be approachable, be honest, be good and be you.”