Dentistry Graduate to Practice in Eastern Ky.

Dentistry Graduate to Practice in Eastern Ky.

“During my six weeks in Prestonsburg I saw the need for dental care for Eastern Kentucky’s children. The need for dental care in this area is very personal because I call Eastern Kentucky home.”

-- Nikki Williams,
2005 Graduate,
College of Dentistry,
University of Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 9, 2005) -- As a child matures and starts thinking about what he or she would like to do for a career, often times you might hear, ‘I want to be a ballerina’ or ‘I want to be a firefighter.’

While it might be unusual to choose your career at the age of 7 and then actually follow through with it, Nikki Williams, a 2005 graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, had it all figured out. “When I was 7 years old I was scared of all doctors,” Williams said. “When I went to the dentist she came out to the waiting room, sat me on her lap and just talked to me. She held my hand when she took me back to the operatory. That’s when I decided that I wanted to be a dentist.”

Dr. Paula Caskey, her dentist, is also a graduate of UK. She said Caskey’s positive experience made an impact on her life as a child and continues to as an adult.

Williams said she spent her college summers working in Caskey’s office and knew that dentistry was the perfect fit for her.

“I enjoy dentistry because of the opportunities to build relationships with your patients,” said Williams. Williams was involved in the new pediatric dentistry/ public health residency at UK, a three year program that upon completion awards residences a certificate in pediatric dentistry and a master’s degree in public health.

She spent her dental externship on one of UK’s mobile dental vans, which provide dental prevention and treatment services on-site at elementary schools in central and eastern Kentucky. Schools in 14 counties have been served by UK’s mobile dental van.

“During my six weeks in Prestonsburg I saw the need for dental care for Eastern Kentucky’s children,” Williams said. “The need for dental care in this area is very personal because I call Eastern Kentucky home.”

After completing her dental education at UK and returning to Eastern Kentucky to practice dentistry, Williams said, “I hope to be able to show my patients the same kindness and compassion that was shown to me by my dentist.”