07/11/2026
There’s a difference between “Do you need me to do anything else?” and “What can I do to help you?” The latter is a personification of Patricia.
Five years ago she left her resume in our door. I’d just opened South Alabama Smiles and I didn’t have any work for her. But that’s just the thing with Patricia. She goes all in. Her whole heart is in everything she does. Patricia helped me market, translate to Spanish speaking patients, train new assistants, train the front desk, answer the phones, clean my desk…..*insert ugly cry*……transform some of the most challenging hygiene patients into healthy smiles….
She helped me build. (I was working 3 jobs at one point to pour everything back into the practice.) She cared and helped me to care even when I didn’t have the energy. Now ask me was she spicy sometimes? Yuh! Bossy? Oh, absolutely!! But she ran a strict program and I loved it. If Patricia is the fire, I’m the wind 🌬️ to the flame baby!! 😭 I can laugh now but I was wailing yesterday.
Yesterday, was Patricia’s last day working as a hygienist for South Alabama Smiles. She was granted acceptance to dental school to complete her journey of becoming a dentist.
I had to create this post because 1. I haven’t been able to verbalize these words without choking on my tears 2. She deserves to know just how much she’s meant to me as a dentist and practice owner but 3. I think who she is now and who she is becoming is worth sharing with the world but especially everyone who depends on her for their care.
Patricia, I would finalize this ‘essay’ by saying, “You will be missed…” but every time I look up you’re right there asking me, “Doc, what can I do to help?” 🤧🥹🥹
— Dr. T
