15 Years of Alive Dental: A Reflection on Growth, Grit, and Listening to the Nudges
This year, Alive Dental turns 15.
That number holds far more than time—it holds growth, uncertainty, courage, motherhood, resilience, and a deep commitment to doing dentistry my way. As I reflect on the journey, I feel immense gratitude for the people, moments, and lessons that shaped this practice into what it is today.
Stepping Into Big Shoes
I purchased the practice in 2011 from Dr. Morehouse, an outstanding restorative dentist who had served the Fort Collins community for over 30 years. Stepping into such a legacy practice as a young woman was intimidating. Some patients were supportive right away—others were not shy about reminding me that I had “big shoes to fill.”
They weren’t wrong.
But what I didn’t know then was that those big shoes wouldn’t be filled by imitation—they would be filled by intention, curiosity, and a willingness to evolve.
My First Baby: The Practice
From the very beginning, the practice felt like my first baby. I spent countless hours building systems, refining workflows, investing in education, improving my clinical skills, and learning how to lead a team—often through trial and error.
One constant from day one was a belief in technology and progress. When I purchased the practice, we were still using film X-rays, paper charts, and postcard appointment reminders. The idea that dentistry could be more efficient, more precise, and more patient-centered guided many early decisions—and looking back, it’s incredible how far we’ve come.
Motherhood Changes Everything
In 2014, I had my first child. I still have fond memories of her visiting the office during lunch breaks so I could nurse—certainly a first in the practice’s history. Becoming a mother shifted how I viewed time, energy, and purpose. It also quietly began to change how I viewed health.
That shift became profound in 2015, when I was introduced to functional medicine and biologic dentistry after my daughter Leighton was born with hearing loss. That experience cracked something open in me. It made health feel incredibly precious—and fragile. It forced me to ask deeper questions about how seemingly “small” things, like toxins and inflammation, can have lifelong impacts.
By 2016, my mindset had changed completely. Dentistry was no longer just about teeth—it was about the whole person.
Building a Space That Felt Like Home
In 2016, we moved from our cottage-like building north of PVH to our current location. By then, we were already certified in SMART removal and intentionally designed the office with air filtration and SMART protocols in mind.
My husband helped design the space around the window seat you see in our rooms—a detail that still makes me smile. My goal was simple: I wanted the office to feel clean, calming, and comfortable. More like a home than a cold, clinical space.
In 2017, I welcomed my second child. And in 2019, I completed the Holistic Dental Education series and fully immersed myself in biologic dentistry—CBCT, laser, SMART protocols, and advanced surgical care. The practice was aligning more closely than ever with my values.
The Hardest Seasons
Then came 2020.
Like so many small businesses, being closed for more than eight weeks was a strain no one could have anticipated. The uncertainty, stress, and recovery from that period lingered longer than I expected. By 2022, I was burned out—emotionally and physically.
In 2023, Dr. Ahmed joined the practice, and his presence created space for me to breathe again. Space to be with my growing kids, to get them launched into school, and to gently bring our team back together after years of post-COVID stress.
That season taught me more about leadership than any course ever could. I learned how to lead from the heart, how to trust others, and how to honor both my personal and professional evolution.
Gratitude, Growth, and Looking Ahead
With Dr. Ahmed’s support, I was able to strengthen systems, introduce new procedures like aligners, more complex surgeries, and esthetics—and reconnect with what truly lights me up. As my life shifted with motherhood, his life was shifting too. After years of commuting, it became clear that his family’s life is rooted in Broomfield, and the daily travel was no longer sustainable.
I remain deeply grateful—for Dr. Ahmed, for the challenges that shaped me, and for the patients (new and longtime) who trusted us through every phase.
Today, I feel incredibly proud. Proud for taking the leap into ownership. Proud for listening to the nudges that led me into biologic dentistry. Proud for staying focused on patient care while tuning out the noise of insurance and industry pressure. Proud of the talented, compassionate team around me.
I feel especially energized by the work we’re doing now—from natural esthetic treatments that restore confidence, to the addition of Guided Biofilm Therapy, and to the deep sense of purpose that comes from learning, evolving, and caring for patients alongside an incredible team.
