Dr Lauren Stennis grew up between New Orleans and Atlanta, shaped by two cities with strong identities and deep community ties. Those early years taught her the value of connection, listening, and showing up for people consistently.
She returned to New Orleans for university, studying at Xavier University of Louisiana, where discipline and service were central to daily life. She later earned her dental degree from the University of Tennessee and received the Dean’s Certificate of Achievement. The recognition mattered, but what stayed with her most was learning how systems work and how small habits compound over time.
After training, she chose to come home. New Orleans was where she wanted to build something lasting. She worked in family and general dentistry, gaining experience with patients across ages, backgrounds, and needs. Over time, she noticed the same pattern again and again. People did better when they felt informed, respected, and unhurried.
That insight led her to open Smile Philosophy Dental Care in the Bayou St John and Mid-City area. The practice reflects her belief that care should be calm, clear, and human. Education and prevention are central, not optional extras.
Outside the clinic, Dr Stennis stays curious. She reads about emerging dental technologies and looks for tools that improve comfort and understanding. She also remains closely involved in community outreach, including school workshops and free screenings.
Her work is steady rather than loud. It is built on routine, trust, and showing up every day with intention.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
My day starts early. I like quiet mornings. I review the schedule, flag complex cases, and check in with my team before patients arrive. Productivity, for me, is about reducing friction. If people know what to expect, everything flows better.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I test them small. If something works with one patient or one afternoon, I build from there. I don’t wait for perfect conditions. I pay attention to patterns.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Technology that improves patient understanding. Not flashy tools, but clearer imaging and better explanations. When patients see what’s happening, fear drops.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Writing things down. I keep a simple notebook. No apps. If I write it, I remember it.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t rush clarity. It comes from repetition, not shortcuts.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
Longer appointments are more efficient. When people feel heard, they need less follow-up.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Ask better questions. Most confusion comes from assumptions.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I clean. My desk, a drawer, a room. Order resets my thinking.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Returning home. Familiarity builds trust faster than any marketing effort.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early on, I tried to do everything myself. I burned out. Delegating taught me that leadership is about systems, not control.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Short school-based dental talks. Fifteen minutes can change habits for years.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Practice management software that tracks follow-ups. It removes mental clutter.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Books on systems thinking. They apply to health and life equally.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Slow-paced documentaries. They reward attention.
Key learnings
- Consistency and clarity create trust faster than speed or scale.
- Education reduces anxiety and improves long-term outcomes.
- Small systems outperform big ideas when repeated daily.
- Listening early prevents problems later.
- Calm leadership creates sustainable growth.