Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Akeadra Bell.
Hi Dr. Bell, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
Growing up, I had a huge interest in everything pertaining to science. From little explosive experiments to the Operation game to watching House and Grey’s Anatomy with my grandparents; I loved it all. I knew then, that I wanted to be a doctor. I wanted to help people, save lives and change lives. Throughout middle and high school, I attended a number of programs to guide me on my path to becoming a doctor. Earning a Chemistry degree from the illustrious Elizabeth City State University, I had my eyes set on medical school to become a Pediatrician. It was not until after college that I found a love for Dentistry.
After being a BRACE FACE for over 7 years, I was finally old enough to get an implant and crown. With no interest in dentistry at the time, my Dentist encouraged me to watch the process of my smile transformation. When he finished that last procedure, I walked out feeling BRAND NEW! From that moment on, I knew that Dentistry was for me.
Leaving the office that day, I went home ordered a Dental Admissions Test Prep Book, and began the process of applying to Dental School. That winter, I was accepted into East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine and the rest was history!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Struggles, whew, there were a lot of them at all levels. Being raised in eastern North Carolina, or the “two-five” as we call it, presented some challenges. From lower socioeconomic status to crime and violence to lack of resources, we had it all. But those challenges, are what fueled me and continue to push me to be better daily. As for the pursuit of Dentistry, that presented a new level of struggles. Dental school is difficult, it was a lot of late nights and early mornings. I had to re-learn how to study and prepare for exams. I made a ton of sacrifices, missing birthday parties, homecomings, and family events. I remember one night being in the lab until the wee hours of the morning preparing for a hands-on skill assessment. I went to use the bathroom and got locked out of the lab. Clearly, it was time for me to go home, but my car keys, house keys, AND cell phone were locked in the lab. I walked around the school for what felt like an eternity looking for someone that could let me in.
I finally found a maintenance team member to let me in but what a night. There were nights when I fell asleep while group studying, others where I only got one to two hours of sleep. One of my biggest struggles was fighting through clinic and classes after rupturing my Achilles and having surgery. Imagine being on a scooter for 14 weeks, going to physical therapy at 6 am to re-learn how to walk, being in class and clinic all day, then studying for boards until 1 am; only to do it all again the next day. While those were more of my personal struggles, one of the bigger feats we all face as a collective, is racism.
Despite our strides, discrimination and lack of representation still plague the dental field. Only 3.8% of dentists in the United States are black, a percentage that has been stagnant for decades. Being a black student, and now professional in a white- male-dominated field was and is a constant battle that we deal with daily.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a practicing General Dentist, currently working as the Lead Dentist at Beaver Creek Commons Dental in Apex, North Carolina. I completed my dental training at East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine and completed a one-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry training at Grady Hospital and Ben Massell Dental Clinic in Atlanta, GA through NYU Langone Hospital System. I specialize in all areas of general dentistry providing services for patients of all ages in all disciplines of dentistry. From fillings to crowns and bridges, to root canals, extractions, dentures, partials, Invisalign, and implants. I love to do it all! I am most proud of my interactions with patients and my ability to meet them where they are to provide compassionate care that will kick start their journey to optimal oral health. I love helping patients transform their lives and take pride in being a part of their journey. I go the extra mile for my patients and care for each of them as if they are family.
I am also a mentor, speaker, and content creator. As a mentor, I pride myself on community outreach and providing students with the resources to be successful as they prepare, apply and matriculate through dental school. This year I have been selected to serve on the admissions committee for my alma mater, ECU SoDM; that is a major accomplishment for me. To have a seat at the table to advocate for students is truly amazing; I am honored to have been chosen. As a content creator, it is my goal to provide inspiration, motivation, and oral health information to as many people as I can reach. While I am new to content creation I am dedicated to learning more and reaching many.
We all have different ways of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
That is a great question. Success can be defined in so many ways and right now I don’t have a way to concretely describe what that looks like for me. Every day, I have moments of success, from waking up on time, knocking out a workout before work, or completing difficult cases.
However, at this moment I have so many goals, and new endeavors that I am aiming to work towards that success for me can’t really be summed up in words. The goal is to keep going, keep striving and keep setting the bar higher.
It’s me versus me on a mission to make a difference, not only for my patients but for my mentees, my family, my community, and hopefully one day the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: beavercreekcommonsdental.com
- Instagram: @savedbydr.bell
- Twitter: @DrKeadraB
Image Credits
SayDrewittMedia – D’andra Drewitt
