Dr. Sharon Dickerson shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Sharon, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I like to wake up early and carve out time for self-care before the day begins. My morning usually starts with prayer and some breathwork. If the weather is nice, I’ll spend a few minutes on my rowing machine out on my rooftop patio, taking in the mountains — it’s a peaceful way to set my intention for the day. While getting ready, I often listen to a positive podcast or homily to keep my mind grounded and inspired. Before heading to the office, I log in to finish any chart notes or administrative tasks so I can start seeing patients feeling organized and focused.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Dr. Sharon Dickerson, a biological dentist based in Denver, Colorado. My practice focuses on patient-centered care that looks beyond traditional dentistry to support overall health and wellness. We combine trauma-informed techniques, minimally invasive treatments, and advanced technology to create a comfortable, personalized experience for each patient.
What makes our practice unique is our focus on the whole person — not just their teeth. We educate and empower patients, helping them understand how oral health impacts the rest of the body, from the nervous system to hormonal balance. I’ve been practicing for nearly 35 years, and one of my passions is integrating science with a compassionate approach so that patients feel safe, informed, and cared for.
Right now, I’m also exploring ways to bring these principles to a wider audience, whether through patient education, collaborations with other wellness providers, or public speaking. Ultimately, my goal is to help people feel confident in their health choices and supported on their journey to total well-being.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
The person who saw me clearly before I could see myself was my dad. Even at a time when women were often not recognized for their abilities, he never saw me as less capable. He recognized my passion for helping people, my curiosity, and my drive to learn. It was his encouragement that led me to consider dentistry, just as he had pursued it himself. His belief in me gave me the confidence to step into a path I might not have fully seen for myself at the time.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there was a time early on after I’d started my practice in Denver when I truly felt challenged. I went through some difficult personnel shifts, and it was hard not to take things personally. The business struggled during those transitions, and at times it felt like the cards were stacked against me.
But I kept going, one day at a time. The patients who came through the door reminded me why I was doing this in the first place — their trust and gratitude fueled my passion to keep moving forward. I also sought guidance and support from colleagues who were more experienced, and gradually, the right team members joined me.
Today, the practice is thriving and stronger than ever, and those early struggles taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of leaning on others while staying true to my vision.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies our industry tells itself is that the mouth exists separately from the rest of the body. Dentistry is often treated as an isolated field, focused only on teeth and gums, when in reality oral health is deeply connected to overall wellness — from the nervous system to systemic inflammation and even hormone balance.
Another misconception is that the only way to run a successful practice is to rely heavily on insurance. While insurance can provide access, it often limits the care we can provide and diminishes the patient experience. When we design care around insurance constraints rather than patient needs, it can compromise both quality and outcomes. I believe we can create thriving practices that prioritize health, education, and comfort while still being sustainable — and that’s the path I’ve chosen for my patients.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope the story people tell is that I cared—truly and wholeheartedly. That I treated every person who walked through my doors with compassion, respect, and a belief in their ability to heal. I hope they remember that I worked to create a different kind of dental experience, one rooted in empathy and an understanding that the mouth is inseparable from the rest of the body.
More than anything, I hope people say that I helped them feel safe, seen, and supported. That I listened. That I met them where they were. That I offered hope when they felt unsure of their next step. And I hope my team, patients, and community felt the same level of encouragement and belief that my own mentors and loved ones poured into me.
If the legacy I leave is one of kindness, integrity, and a commitment to elevating the standard of care in dentistry, then I will have done what I set out to do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sharondickersondds.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.sharondickerson/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharondickersondds
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DickersonDDS/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@dr.sharondickerson
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.sharondickerson
Image Credits
Nicolette Bardos
