Hazel Juanita Harper, D.D.S., M.P.H.
Washington, DC
Private Practice, Community Dentistry & Education

Dr. Hazel Harper always had a desire to work with her hands. As a student at Howard University with medical aspirations, she was convinced by her mentor and then associate dean Dr. Jeanne Sinkford to consider the university's dental school. "She advised me that I would have control over my life, and I would be able to balance my family and career," said Dr. Harper.

Today, after nearly three decades in the profession, she knows she made the right choice. "What excites me about dentistry is being able to shape a smile and change a personality; helping others develop self-confidence and self-esteem because they are proud of their teeth," said Dr. Harper.

Her career began as a junior faculty member at Howard University College of Dentistry. Seven years later, she made a life-changing decision to enter private practice. But it wasn't a typical practice -- it was the opportunity to build a multispecialty office in Washington, D.C., with five dentists, nine treatment rooms and 20 staff members.

"I didn't intend to work in a clinical setting, but sometimes your purpose in life evolves," said Dr. Harper, who emphasizes to all of her patients how important oral health is to the rest of the body. "We help patients put the pieces of the puzzle together."

She still exercises her roots in education, and over the years more than 35 dental students have trained in her office. "I'm proud that they are now practicing all over the country," said Dr. Harper, who now is one of the co-owners of the Rittenhouse Dental Group. "I hope to be a role model for each of them and be as good as those who have taught me." She recalls the impact her mentors and father made when she was an outspoken overachiever in a dental class of mostly men. "Mediocrity was not an option."

Dr. Harper also has had the opportunity to serve as the executive editor of the Journal of the National Dental Association, where she's written numerous articles on serving the underserved. "I was intellectually stimulated by it," she said. "I now have so much respect for people who put together the written word."

As for the future, Dr. Harper, a proud mother and new grandmother, said, "I dream of having input into the transformation of a culture of crisis into a culture of prevention. We have to ensure that we provide community health education, that providers are culturally sensitive, and that everyone has access to care."