As Haute Beauty continues its “Chat with Haute Beauty Leaders” series, Haute Media Group Co-founder Seth Semilof hosted a discussion with Dr. Michelle Luis, a representative of the Haute Beauty Network in the North Miami market.

The conversation includes topics such as Dr. Luis’ commitment to dentistry, the stages of her journey, and the future of dentistry.

Dr. Michelle Luis, a south Florida native, practices as a general dentist with substantive experience with fillings, crowns, and bridges, veneers, extractions, dentures, Invisalign, and root canals. She also has expertise with a number of cosmetic procedures to aid patients in looking and feeling their very best, including teeth whitening, and Botox. She holds a Master’s degree in Biomedical Science and a Doctorate in Dentistry from Nova Southeastern University.

Dr. Luis easily connects with her patients and provides services using a multifactorial approach, involving a clear communication style, the utilization of innovative methods, a gentle approach to the application of services, and a high degree of diligence and professionalism. Dr. Luis is warm and engaging and she is passionate about connecting with her patients in order to create the most comfortable environment to understand and receive treatment. Dr. Luis is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Florida Dental Association (FDA). Dr. Luis lives in Miami Beach and enjoys spending her free time with her family, friends, and pets, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Here are some of the highlights from the exclusive interview with Dr. Luis:

Seth Semilof: You grew up as a South Florida native. Did you always want to get into this business? When you were in college is this what you wanted to do?

Dr. Michelle Luis: So, for me, it starts even sooner than that. When I was about seven years old, my best friend at the time went to the dentist and had an amazing experience almost as if she went to Disney World. I begged my mom to take me to the dentist on my seventh birthday. You know, I was lucky enough that the experience was a good experience because if it was not, I would have probably had a different path. To go into the treasure box and receive a certificate, I thought it was the coolest thing ever. My path was not completely right from there to dentistry. I actually did some different types of medicine, I worked at a vet clinic all throughout high school. I thought maybe I’d go to medical school and then I ultimately circled back to dentistry.

SS: So when you did all of that, when did you start knowing that you wanted to commit to the education of becoming a dentist?

DML: In my very early 20s when I was doing undergrad I would rotate in a bunch of different medical subspecialties and I never really found one that was like, this is it. Someone mentioned why don’t you do dentistry as you are very detailed orientated. I really like the fact in dentistry where I do a lot of a diagnosis as you do in traditional primary practice medicine. I enjoy the hands-on approach where there’s a problem and I can get my hands in there and fix it, it is just a very satisfying aspect, and so I started to look into that and I was like you know what this is it. Then from there, I wouldn’t say the rest is history. There was certainly a lot to do to get into dental school, to get through dental school, and then you know we are a forever student, it never ends.

SS: The education, how long did that take you from college to getting your masters? What was the process?

DML: Well, so, for me, because I had a couple of different pivots, I started undergrad and did a traditional amount of undergrad education. I finished undergrad and then that is when I was actually like you know what I want to do dentistry, so I did another year of postgraduate studies for my prerequisites and testing. Then there was a year where I applied and interviewed, so that was about five years there. Then I did two years of a master’s within the dental school to hold my seat for dentistry and then I did four years of dental school.

SS: You did the dentist school and then after that what did you do next?

DML: After that, I started practicing in South Florida. I actually opened a dental skin business with a family member and ultimately closed that so I was practicing, doing that, and now I practice full time as a general and cosmetic dentist.

Watch the entire conversation below: