Why She Was Nominated

Dr. Smedley combines state-of-the-art technology, the highest-quality restorative materials available and minimally invasive techniques for her patients. She emphasizes preventive and holistic dentistry, and runs a “green” office: a healthy workplace that’s cheap to operate and leaves a minimal environmental footprint.

Inspiration

Living and working in a small community. “I think of my patients as friends,” she says. “Knowing that I’ll sit next to them at a basketball game, I want to do what’s best for each of them.”

Tool She Can't Live Without

Her staff. Dentists have to earn their patients’ trust, she says. “From the moment they get the first phone call, my staff wraps their arms around a patient. All I have to do is walk in the room — my staff has already sealed the deal.”

Favorite Aspect of Dentistry

“I can take someone who doesn’t really understand dentistry,” she says, “and make them into someone committed to taking oral health into their hands.”