Lindsey Marshall, D.M.D., ’93

DEGREES

B.S. in biology, minor in studio arts; D.M.D., Harvard School of Dental Medicine

JOB TITLE

Cosmetic dentist; QVC guest host

FAVORITE TRINITY MEMORY

That’s hard to narrow down . . . the little things were the best, hanging out with friends in our rooms, dinners in Mather, late nights. A highlight was senior year when Adam Sandler came to Trinity, hilarious and tailored to Trinity.

What do you do in your role?

I am a general, cosmetic, and physiologic dentist. I do everything from full-mouth reconstructions to basic general dentistry, always with an eye for the aesthetics and the bite, helping to treat and prevent TMD (temporomandibular issues). Owning my own practice also makes me a small business owner. I have been practicing dentistry for 25 years and in my own office for 23 years. I run every aspect of my business, including managing my team, overseeing the financial aspects of the business, and marketing. I also am an ambassador for Supersmile products and appear on social media and QVC to promote and sell products.

How might your office be different from that of other dentists?

I think we are different because we don’t “feel” like a dental office—everything from the appearance of the office when you walk in to the smell of our candles and the fun spirit of my team. We are an all-female office that focuses on delivering personalized care with cutting-edge technology while keeping the atmosphere light and fun for our patients to have their best experience. I think that by keeping my team and office small and boutique, I have been able to maintain close relationships with my patients, and the patients value that as much as we do.

Some people are afraid to go to the dentist. How do you help patients who have that fear?

You are right, so many people do, which is why we make our office experience so different. People have a lot of triggers, and you never know what will trigger that fear. Is it the smell of the office or how it looks, is it getting a “shot” to get numb, is it the sounds, is it not being numb enough and fear of pain? So, we look different, we smell different, our layout is different. We have TVs on our ceilings above the chairs with noise-canceling headphones so you can watch Netflix or listen to music. We have blankets and a massager in the chair and provide sedation if that is what someone needs to relax and have a great experience.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

The people, the variety of things I do, and always learning something new.

How did your time at Trinity prepare you for your career?

Trinity gave a strong background in science and the arts and let me explore both of those interests in a way that made me want to pursue those passions in my career. Cosmetic dentistry allows me to express and use both of those abilities every day. Beyond the education, the small environment at Trinity allowed me to develop deep friendships and a sense of community that continues to this day. Many people from Trinity have come to see me as patients, or we connect in the squash world as my kids play squash, and just last week I met a new orthodontist in New York City who also went to Trinity. When people say they went to Trinity or their kids are going there, it makes an instant connection that everyone in the Trinity community can understand.

Did you have a professor who was particularly influential?

Yes. Dr. Henry DePhillips always spoke about the use of science in art and the connection of the two fields.

What was the most memorable course you took at Trinity?

I loved when I took “Botany” with Dr. Craig Schneider as it was so different from all the other biology courses I had taken and wished I had taken it sooner. Also, during my senior year, I did a studio arts independent study and had a show of my paintings; that was really exciting!

What advice would you give to an incoming Trinity student who is thinking of dentistry as a career?

You need to do all the science courses and requirements, but add your interests outside of science to fill in the spaces in your schedule. Planning this your first year will allow you to space things out so you can also take courses of other interests or maybe even a semester abroad. Follow your passions and have fun because you have to love what you do!