Dr. Jarrett L. Manning Celebrates Women’s History Month By Improving Representation In Dentistry
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In celebration of Women’s History Month and National Dentist Day, which falls on Mar. 6, Dr. Jarrett L. Manning is stepping on the shoulder of women who paved the way before her and is also opening the future doors for the women who follow behind her. She owns a seven-figure practice, JLM Dental Studio in Atlanta, Georgia, where she designs healthy, beautiful smiles and recently added a team of cosmetic dentists to her enterprise. She dubs herself the Picasso of dentistry because her profession borders on the exciting dichotomy of dexterity and an art form where the mouth is the canvas. As a dental practitioner for 16 years, she earned her bachelor of science in biology from the Xavier University of Louisiana, a master’s degree in public health from Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and a doctorate in dental surgery from the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry. The American Dental Association (ADA) reports 70.2% of dentists are white versus 3.8% of Black dentists.
Manning’s desire to foray into dentistry as a career stems from her passion and intrigue with people’s teeth. Manning always desired to become a doctor, and her dentist growing up, who provided superior experience and a positive atmosphere whenever she would visit his office, further stoked the fire of her motivation to enter the medical field. The second aspect of dentistry that piqued her interest happened in the ninth grade when she participated in a summer program at Xavier University, known for being number one in producing Black doctors. During her junior year as an undergraduate, Manning decided to further her dentistry studies. Today, as a wife, mother, and serial entrepreneur, Manning credits the flexibility of her chosen career for affording her the leeway to remain present for her family. To give back to her community, she founded Beyond Her Smile, a non-profit organization that mentors young girls interested in the field of medicine and dentistry. She also empowers new dentists through her Dental CEO, LLC., an educational platform where new dentists learn growth strategies to become successful practice owners and through her published book: The Dentalpreneur Plan: 18 Steps Every Dentist Should Take Before Opening a Dental Practice. Manning’s expertise led to the Tom Joyner Morning Show as the featured doctor for the Wellness Wednesday segment and as a cast member of Bravo’s hit show Married to Medicine.
Yolanda Baruch: You gave yourself the title “Smile Creator.” Why is having an inviting and healthy smile so necessary for an individual?
Dr. Jarrett Manning: Ultimately, I saw dentistry as my way of giving back to individuals. There’s nothing like the power of a smile and the impact that a smile has on an individual’s mental state and mood. The fact that a smile itself can land you a job and get you into that relationship that [leads to a] lifetime commitment, whether it’s marriage or just being committed to the person, the smile has so much power.
Baruch: How many offices do you have, just one, or do you have multiple offices?
Manning: So I have two offices. I expanded beginning this year, 2023, and opened a second dental office in East Atlanta.
Baruch: You strive to create opportunities for Black women in dentistry. The JLM Dental Studio staff is composed of all Black women. Why was that important for you?
Manning: First, Black women must be seen positively, and there’s something about the nurturing ability of a Southern Black woman. I wanted to create a space welcoming of Black women to show that we have the power to collaborate as a team, achieve a vision, and obtain one common goal. I hand-selected these ladies because they have great character, are knowledgeable, and are focused on their craft. We have a lot of fun in the office, don’t deal with drama, we try to nip it in the bud in the beginning; we are indeed a family. But I love that my patients see that we’re all women. I get comments all the time about how my staff goes above and beyond to carry out the vision of JLM Dental Studio to put our clients and customers first.
Secondly, when I was coming into the dental industry, it was one Black woman in particular [who] stood up for me, and she helped me graduate. I [still] keep in contact with her; she’s one of my mentors. I understand the importance of having a Black woman role model. When I was growing up in a single-parent home, around middle school, my mom surrounded me with other Black women, and that was the turning point for me when I got surrounded by the right individuals [because they] were instrumental in [how they conducted their] different careers and education, those women along with my mother, made a mark on my life.
Baruch: Why did you create your summer program for young girls to shadow you?
Manning: I tried to give back to girls because not a lot of young middle school-aged Black girls know what dentistry is all about, and every year, I bring in girls to show them we are forced to be reckoned with, and so if we’re forced to be reckoned with in society, why can’t we be that same thing in dentistry? My goal is always to show Black women and middle school girls how they can contribute to making dentistry great.
Baruch: Can you describe what they experience during the program?
Manning: In most cases, my patients’ middle school girls come in, and we put them to work because it’s nothing like a hands-on experience. Of course, there’s only so much they can do. But they take impressions, which is vital and instrumental in helping them decide to be a dentist.
Baruch: How long does the program last?
Manning: Typically, it starts in June because kids are out of school at the end of May, and we rotate. I have one set of kids for two weeks, and we rotate until school starts in August.
Baruch: How many girls are in a set for the two weeks?
Manning: Five girls because I want them to be hands-on, and I want to be able to reach them. I want it to be manageable so they can be seen, heard, and asked questions.
Baruch: Since Black dentists account for only 3% of the industry, are these the steps they need to implement in reaching back to increase those numbers and representation?
Manning: Yes, it has to start early to [increase] those numbers. I only made the decision once I got into college, but it’s important to make that decision before you start college. It’s okay if you don’t; look at me. I made it; I’m a dentist. But get your hands wet, get into some program, or shadow some dentists. But beyond that, there are mentoring opportunities for girls that enter the program because some girls have started the program. They say, ‘I don’t think I want to do this,’ but I’m still there to give them any support they need or any questions they have about any other field. My best friends are medical doctors; they work harder, and their hours are a little longer, but I want to help and gear these girls in the right direction. So if that means I need them to have a conversation with my girlfriends, who are medical doctors, to see if that’s something that they would want to do, then I’m all for it. I want them to be productive members of society when they get older and make a mark.
Baruch: What advice can you give to women wanting to pursue a profession where they may not see themselves represented?
Manning: It is always important to stand on faith. I am where I am with my faith and putting in the work to get where I wanted. [You must] continue to press through and persevere; those are key. Also, to be true to yourself, be yourself. I don’t want to be like anybody else out there. Sometimes I’m bold; sometimes, I’m an introvert. I am unapologetically me, and that is what helps me to be successful; that is what helps me stand out above all the thousands of dentists. It is important to do your due diligence, understand that particular line of work or career and what you’re trying to get yourself into, and have a forecast of your future. But at the core of it all, be you, which will take you a long way.
For more information, visit jlmdentalstudios.com.
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