Lauren Stennis: Building a New Model for Community-Focused Dentistry

Dr. Lauren Stennis has carved out a place in New Orleans that goes beyond dentistry. Her work shows what can happen when clinical skill, community values, and cultural understanding come together. Today, she leads one of the city’s standout Black-owned general dentistry practices—but her path started years before she ever picked up a dental drill.

Early Life: Roots in New Orleans and Atlanta

Dr. Stennis was born in New Orleans but spent much of her early childhood in Atlanta. The two cities shaped her in different ways. New Orleans gave her culture, identity, and a sense of community. Atlanta exposed her to diversity, pace, and ambition.

“My parents always told me that wherever you go, you should leave things better than you found them,” she recalls. “That idea stayed with me.”

Those early lessons would later guide her approach to healthcare: people first, skills second.

Education That Set the Stage for Leadership

Her academic path followed a clear direction. She attended Xavier University of Louisiana, a well-known HBCU recognized for preparing students for careers in health and science. From there, she earned her dental degree at the University of Tennessee, where she also received the Dean’s Certificate of Achievement—an early indicator of her work ethic and talent.

Even in school, she focused on the practical side of dentistry. “I liked seeing how simple things—like explaining a procedure clearly or showing someone how to brush better—could make a big difference in someone’s life,” she says.

This mindset became a foundation for how she would later run her own practice.

Career Start: Choosing a Patient-First Path

After graduating, Dr. Stennis returned home to New Orleans. She wanted to serve the community that shaped her, especially neighborhoods that often lacked access to consistent dental care.

She worked in family and general dentistry, building experience with patients of all ages. She learned how to run an exam room, how to lead a team, and how to support people who often arrived with anxiety or limited resources.

“Dentistry is about trust,” she explains. “If people don’t trust you, they won’t come back. And if they don’t come back, they won’t stay healthy.”

This belief eventually drove her to build a practice that reflected her values from the ground up.

Founding Smile Philosophy Dental Care

Dr. Stennis now leads Smile Philosophy Dental Care, a general dentistry practice in the Bayou St. John/Mid-City area.
(You can learn more about her work here: Dr. Lauren Stennis.)

The office offers a full range of services—routine cleanings, crowns, whitening, root canal therapy, cosmetic dentistry, pediatric care, and gum disease treatment—but technique alone isn’t what defines the space.

What makes the practice stand out is the environment she has built. It’s modern, calm, and welcoming. Patients describe it as a place where they feel respected and understood. “Walking into this office feels like coming home,” one longtime patient said.

Dr. Stennis sees that reaction as intentional. “I want my patients to feel seen. I want them to know this is their space too,” she says.

Community-Centered Dentistry in Action

New Orleans has long faced healthcare gaps, especially among underserved neighborhoods. Dr. Stennis views this not as a problem to analyze, but as a responsibility to act on.

She and her team regularly host free dental screenings, visit local schools for oral-health workshops, and partner with nonprofits to reach residents who are uninsured or underinsured.

“Access isn’t just about money,” she explains. “It’s also about trust, familiarity, language, and comfort. When people see someone who understands their community, they’re more likely to take that first step toward care.”

Her practice has become one of the few Black-owned general dentistry offices in the area—something she knows carries weight. Representation brings comfort, and comfort brings consistency, which leads to better health.

Leadership Style: Simple, Clear, and Effective

Dr. Stennis doesn’t describe herself as a business strategist, but her approach reflects the mindset of a strong operator.

Her leadership style is built on:

• Clear communication.
  She takes time to explain procedures and choices in simple, direct language.
• Patient empowerment.
  “We don’t just treat teeth—we teach people how to care for their health long-term,” she says.
• Cultural awareness.
  She understands that New Orleans residents value relationships and familiarity, and she builds those intentionally.
• High standards.
  She expects precision and consistency from her staff, keeping the environment organized and patient-driven.

These habits have helped her build a sustainable, respected practice in a competitive field.

Staying Curious: A Passion for Innovation

Outside the exam room, Dr. Stennis is a reader and a learner. She enjoys studying new technology related to dentistry and oral health. Whether it’s improved imaging tools, new materials, or updated treatment protocols, she pays close attention to where the field is heading.

“Technology should make things easier for the patient,” she says. “If something saves time, saves pain, or improves accuracy, I want to know about it.”

Her mindset keeps the practice modern without losing that personal touch.

A Local Leader With a Clear Mission

Today, Dr. Lauren Stennis represents a new type of leader in dentistry: part clinician, part community builder, part teacher. Her work shows that healthcare can be both high-quality and deeply human.

“We’re here to help New Orleans smile—strong, proud, and pain-free,” she says.

And with every patient who walks through her door, she continues doing exactly that.