Meet Dr. LaRee Johnson

dr-johnson

LaRee Johnson, DDS, MS

Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry

I cannot imagine being anything other than a wife, mother, and pediatric dentist. Pediatric dentistry is always exciting and makes my smile because every child is unique. In fact, I like it so much that when I am not in the office, I often teach other dentists and some medical providers about pediatric dentistry!

My role as a pediatric dentist involves cultivating a dental home for all children… even the tricky little ones, anxious ones, or those with special healthcare needs. My team and I perpetuate the culture of a dental home for all children and treat every friend as if they were our own child.

I love many things about being a pediatric dentist. I love making children proud of their smiles and cultivating habits to enable those smiles to last a lifetime. I also love the privilege of building long lasting relationships with families and seeing all my friends grown up. Now, I have the joy of seeing the children of my patients! Double wonderful!

What I enjoy the most is being a part of a community. Getting to know families and seeing children’s smiles grow from the first tooth to high school graduation is a joy and an honor.

Education and Experience

I graduated with honors from the University of Tennessee, where I completed my Doctorate of Dental Surgery. I received my certificate in pediatric dentistry and Master of Science at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry.

In 2001, I became a board-certified pediatric dentist and was chosen in 2016 to serve as one of six Directors for the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. I have served as president of the North Carolina Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and am a member of multiple professional organizations. In 2017, I was inducted into the International College of Dentists, an honor given to a very small percentage of dentists for significant contributions to their communities and to the profession of dentistry. I enjoy teaching at UNC, where I hold an adjunct faculty position, and have served as a speaker at both national and international conferences and various venues.

Continuing Education

Averaging more than 100 hours of continuing education a year, I am a testament of lifelong learning. I acquire continued education through intensive collaboration, discussion, and involvement with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (ABPD), attending multiple continuing education courses in person and via webinar, and teaching continuing education to other family and pediatric dentists and physicians nationally and internationally. By immersing myself in information from hundreds of colleagues, literature, and textbooks, I can ensure that our sweet patients at Carolina Pediatric Dentistry receive the most current clinical techniques in the most child-friendly environment possible. 

Professional Associations

Outside the Office

I have lived in Raleigh for more than 20 years. My husband James and I have two teenagers, Mia and Jamie, along with one senior citizen golden retriever Betty and one silly adolescent Labrador Daisy.

I love being with my family. Even though we enjoy an occasional family board game night, we prefer to be outside running, hiking, and swimming. Since my first marathon during my third year as a dental student, I have dreamed of qualifying for the Boston Marathon, but to my dismay, they keep making the qualifying times faster! I can go the distance (Umstead 100 Mile Run, and three-time Ironman Finisher), but the Boston Marathon still eludes me.

I cherish my community in Wakefield, having lived there for 14 years, and have coached a variety of children’s sports and served on preschool curriculum development committees and was even a consultant for the library. I also embrace the Downtown community, having now lived in it for three years. It is exciting to practice where I personally know most the families I see every day!

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