We’d like to introduce Dr. Devon Harris, aka, Plaque Panther.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am originally from the Austin area, I graduated from Pflugerville High School in 2009. Since I was a child, I have always had dreams of being a football player. I wanted to make a positive impact on my community and inspire the youth. When my college football career came to an end due to injuries, I knew it was time to start using my mind rather than my body to get where I wanted to be in life. As a student, I always had a knack for science and art so I began brainstorming as to how I could use these passions to make a living. One day I was randomly thinking about career choices while getting my teeth cleaned at the Dentist’s office and it hit me. Maybe I could be a Dentist. My Dentist since childhood was kind enough to allow me to spend some time in the summer shadowing her to get a feel for the profession. I quickly fell in love with the art and science of Dentistry. After that experience, I decided to go all in and make this dream come to life. I began shadowing more Dentists and I was blessed to be able to gain some lifelong mentors and friends that guided me into this profession. Fast forward, I ended up receiving my Doctor of Dental Surgery from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 2018 and have since been practicing as a General Dentist in my hometown of Austin. I have a passion for mentoring students, especially student-athletes, to reach their dreams and to give them the push and guidance that was given to me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but I appreciate the struggles along the way. Halfway through my dental school training, a back injury from football came back to haunt me and required me to have surgery right before entering my clinical curriculum. On the other hand, I faced cultural challenges being the only Black Male in a class of about 115 students. Knowing that Black Males only account for less than 3% of all Dentists in the US was something that motivated me to pursue this career. Unfortunately, there were times when I didn’t feel welcomed into the profession because of my appearance or background. This motivated me to inspire as many youths that look like me to overcome these obstacles and to believe in their God-given abilities no matter what they come from.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am a General Dentist for Enamel Dentistry at Parmer Park. I provide a wide range of treatments from simple prevention to surgery, cosmetics, dentures, crowns, and more. I also enjoy creating custom athletic mouthguards for athletes at all levels. I am also known as The Plaque Panther, my brand that I am creating to set me apart from the crowd. I take pride in being my genuine self and to not be placed in a box as to what a typical Dentist should look, talk, or act like. I believe that patients feel more comfortable when they know that their provider is being real with them. I have fun with what I do, I love it, and I want every patient to feel that when they’re in my chair. Going to the Dentist is not everyone’s favorite thing to do, but I aim to make it a unique and enjoyable experience for everybody.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
I’ve always been a jokester, I love making people laugh. I love sports. While football was my favorite, I also enjoyed playing soccer, track, and basketball. One of my favorite hobbies is drawing, I loved to take pictures from books and magazines and recreate them with my own hands.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @plaquepanther
