cover story

a reason to

smile

ome f olk s ha ve a car e er . They go to work; they do their job; they bring home a paycheck. Other folks have a calling. They do the thing they love, knowing that their efforts serve and benefit others, deriving much gratification from the process. Dr. Julianne Colvin, co-owner of Crawford & Colvin Family and Cosmetic Dentistry, falls squarely into the latter group. S

She didn’t always know she wanted to be a dentist. Her parents were pharmacists, so she was surrounded by, and felt drawn to, the healthcare field. She heard hints of her calling, but wasn’t quite clear on the path she was meant to take. Through high school, she volunteered and shadowed the professionals in hospitals but didn’t quite feel that click. Then, her childhood dentist invited her to observe his practice for a day. “That’s when I knew what I wanted to do,” Dr. Julianne says. “I went home that day and announced to my mom, ‘I want to be a dentist!’”

She was initially drawn to dentistry for the most logical reason you’ve never thought of: the results are immediately tangible. “I had observed how, in other areas of healthcare, patients’ issues could rarely be resolved in an immediate, hands-on way,” she says. “With dentistry, I have the

ability to address my patients’ pain and problem in a single visit. They leave better than they arrived, which is extremely satisfying for me and them!” However, Dr. Julianne describes a transformational mission trip that gave her perfect clarity of purpose in this career. During dental school at West Virginia University, she went to Guatemala to provide dental care to those in need. “There was such an extreme physical need for care; however, what people responded to was the service through compassion, gentleness, and a genuine concern for their well-being. There was a language barrier, but I learned there is no compassion barrier.” Producing genuine smiles that reflected more than just healthier teeth became the motivation behind her career. After completing an Advanced General Dentistry Residency at UNC in Chapel Hill, she and her husband, Jason, moved to Huntersville in 2006. Dr. Julianne worked as an associate dentist for several years until her desire to make a practice her own led her to partner with a colleague, Dr. Brent Crawford. “We shared a similar vision for dentistry and our patients, and we felt the partnership would be a good fit,” she recalls. Together, their goal was to have an office centered on service—an experience that surpassed great dentistry alone. A dental experience that left a lasting impression because patients felt valued and cared for beyond their dental needs. Crawford & Colvin Family and Cosmetic Dentistry was established in 2012, and Dr. Julianne is very proud of the amazing team of hygienists, dental assistants, and treatment coordinators who have made this service goal the daily reality for their patients and community. “We truly love our patients. Dentistry is such a vulnerable area of healthcare for so many people. Some have fear and anxiety that stems from previous experiences, and we work to build their confidence. We listen and present options to make the process as smooth and easy as possible. It’s not just about teeth … it’s about building trusted relationships.” But it’s not her expert dental care that Dr. Julianne is most proud of. Stating faith and family as the foundation of her life, that designation goes to her marriage and her two boys, 10-year-old Tyler and 6-year-old Carson. “My husband Jason’s “True success is measured through the creation of joy and hope in the lives of those around us.”

support is vital,” she says. “We are both business owners so we give and take based on the other’s availability—physically and mentally.” Giving priority and energy to her faith and her family allows everything else in her life to fall into place.

This lesson was not inborn, though. It came, in fact, after the birth of her second son, with a diagnosis of thyroid cancer. “I gained a new perspective on life, of the fragility and gift of the days we are given,” she says. “I grew as a listener, becoming more aware of God’s presence, direction, and hand in my life.” She began to understand that life’s disappointments and failures are His way of reminding her that she can’t do it all on her own. “Things may not always go the way we would choose, but when this happens, it’s for a greater purpose,” she says. “This gives me peace and hope for anything the future may hold, personally or professionally.”

Today, Dr. Julianne’s passion for serving others is reflected in the non-profit work her dental practice is involved in. These include participation with Team Smile, the Wounded Warrior organization, school presentations, holiday angel tree drives, and free dental care provided with the Ada Jenkins Center and the Mission of Mercy clinics.

“True success is measured through the creation of joy and hope in the lives of those around us,” Dr. Julianne says. She strives to instill the lessons she’s learned, and her faith in God, in her sons’ lives. She encourages them to “be the reason someone smiles today” … something this smile-maker was born to do. w