Doctor Spotlight: Destined for Dentistry, Dr. Amber Goode Finds Purpose in Providing Care to Underserved Communities
Dr. Amber Goode’s passion for dentistry began at an early age. “I was always fascinated by teeth,” she recalled. “As a child, I refused to give my teeth to the tooth fairy. Instead, I kept them in a jar, later adding my spacers and my braces. My parents probably thought I was a bit strange, but from that early age, I knew I wanted to become a dentist.”
Dr. Goode has since realized her childhood dream, although her journey to becoming a dentist was unconventional. She held various roles within the field oral health before assuming her current position as District Dental Director for Benevis in Georgia. While pursuing her undergraduate studies at Florida State University, Dr. Goode gained hands-on experience by shadowing a dentist. “He believed that the best way to learn dentistry was through direct involvement, assisting during various procedures on patients to truly understand the practice.”
After completing her undergraduate degree, Dr. Goode initially applied to dental school. However, the timing wasn’t right, so she moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked as a dental assistant and ultimately decided to pursue a dental hygiene certification at Howard University’s renowned Dental Hygiene Program.
“I was able to leverage my experience as a dental assistant during hygiene school,” Dr. Goode explained. “While there, several of my mentors, who had gone onto dental school themselves, encouraged me to reapply to dental school. They believed in my potential, saying, ‘You're at the top of your dental hygiene class. This is your passion, and we think you should pursue it.’”
This time, Dr. Goode applied to Howard University’s College of Dentistry and was accepted to the program. After dental school, she completed her residency in Advanced Education in General Dentistry, also at Howard University, further honing her clinical skills.
Her path to dentistry is unique. “I’ve worked in nearly every role within a dental practice. As a dental assistant and hygienist, I gained valuable insights into the challenges faced by each team member. This experience has been instrumental in my work as a dentist, allowing me to understand and address the needs of every part of the team,” Dr. Goode said.
Dr. Goode spent more than eight years practicing as a general dentist in a private practice in Ashburn, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., but when the pandemic hit, she felt it was time for a change. “I wanted to make a more significant impact. My dental school’s mission was to serve the underserved,” she explained. She transitioned to Walmart Health, where she provided care to patients from all walks of life. “It was incredibly rewarding to offer high-quality healthcare at an affordable cost and to challenge traditional healthcare delivery models.”
Earlier this year, Walmart Health announced the closure its clinics, including those providing dental services. Dr. Goode, committed to continuing her mission to serve underserved communities, south out a similar organization and found Benevis. “Benevis’ mission —serving underserved populations and providing quality, affordable care—was exactly in line with my values, and that’s what drew me to the company.”
Today, Dr. Goode serves as the District Dental Director in Georgia overseeing 12 practices across the state. In addition to treating patients, she mentors newer dentists, a role she finds deeply fulfilling. “At Walmart Health, I loved not only providing patient care but also mentoring younger doctors. Helping them grow and succeed is one of the most rewarding aspects of our profession, and I look forward to continuing that at Benevis.”
For Dr. Goode, the most fulfilling moments in dentistry come from transforming patients' smiles and alleviating pain. “The ability to remove decay and have a patient leave with a smile or relieve someone’s pain—knowing they are no longer suffering—is incredibly rewarding. These moments remind me why I chose this profession.”
Learn more about Benevis-supported practices in Georgia by visiting the Franklin Dental & Braces website or the Youth Dentistry Georgia website.
