Oh, hey!

Welcome! I’m Dr. Patrice, also known as The UnOrthoDoc. I’m so glad you’re here.

As an orthodontist, wife, mom of three, entrepreneur, and creative, I know what it’s like to juggle a full, beautiful, demanding life. I created this space to share honest reflections, practical resources, and personal insight all rooted in my own journey toward building a life that’s rich in purpose, not just productivity.

Here you’ll find encouragement, entrepreneurship tips, personal stories, and my signature Sunday newsletter, The Climb written for those navigating the mess and meaning of modern life with ambition and intention.

You’ll also find expert insights on oral health and dental care, along with curated resources and partnerships with oral care brands I trust. Whether it’s tips for a healthier smile or tools to help you grow personally and professionally, I aim to make this space useful, authentic, and inspiring.

Whether you’re finding your footing, pivoting your path, or looking for a softer way to succeed, you’re in the right place.

Let’s climb, together.

Learn More About ME
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RECENT BLOG POSTS

Explore the blog by clicking the links below

 
Featured
Motherhood Didn’t Shrink My Ambition, It Refined It
Motherhood Didn’t Shrink My Ambition, It Refined It

For a long time, ambition tends to look the same for many high achievers. It is measured in expansion. More opportunity, more responsibility, more progress, more growth. The assumption is that ambition should keep widening over time, and that success means continuously doing more.

For many of us, that mindset works for a long time. It carries us through school, early career milestones, and the pursuit of opportunities that feel exciting and expansive. Productivity systems, goal setting, and disciplined work habits reinforce the idea that if you are organized enough and motivated enough, you can continue to increase your capacity indefinitely.

Read More →
The Stage of Practice Ownership No One Talks About
The Stage of Practice Ownership No One Talks About

When people talk about practice ownership, the conversation usually centers around two stages.

The beginning.

And the growth phase.

The beginning is full of adrenaline. There’s the leap into entrepreneurship, the excitement of finally building something that belongs to you. After years of training and working within systems someone else created, ownership feels like freedom.

Then comes growth.

Growth is the stage everyone celebrates. More patients. Expanding teams. Increased production. New systems. New marketing strategies. Conferences and podcasts dedicated to scaling.

Read More →
I’ve Been Documenting My Life Online Since 2007
I’ve Been Documenting My Life Online Since 2007

You could call it a habit.
Or maybe just a quiet instinct I’ve always had.

But long before Instagram, long before personal branding became a strategy, I started documenting my life online.

It was 2007.

At the time, I was simply a student with big goals and a lot of questions about how life would unfold. My first blog was called Climb, Reach, Achieve. The name itself captured exactly where I was in that phase of life: ambitious, hopeful, focused on what was ahead.

Writing was a way to process the climb.

Read More →
Early Signs Your Child Might Need Braces (And When to Actually See an Orthodontist)
Early Signs Your Child Might Need Braces (And When to Actually See an Orthodontist)

As a parent, it’s natural to wonder whether your child’s teeth are developing “normally.” Some kids seem to have perfectly straight smiles early on, while others look… a little chaotic. The truth is, orthodontic concerns don’t always announce themselves with obvious crooked teeth. Many early signs are subtle—and often overlooked.

The good news? Early awareness doesn’t always mean early treatment. It simply means informed, calm decision-making.

Most orthodontic associations recommend a first evaluation around age 7. That doesn’t mean braces at 7, it means observation.

Read More →
The Work-Life Balance Myth for Healthcare Moms and What Actually Works
The Work-Life Balance Myth for Healthcare Moms and What Actually Works

If you’re a mother in healthcare, you’ve likely been sold the idea of “balance” as if the right planner, schedule, or mindset could make demanding work and motherhood feel evenly distributed. I know because I once thought this was totally doable. It’s more of a “balancing act.”

In reality? Balance is a myth, and chasing it can leave you feeling like you’re constantly falling short.

Generally speaking, healthcare is not a flexible, low-demand career. It requires presence, precision, emotional labor, and responsibility, often all at once. Motherhood demands the same. Trying to give equal energy to both at all times sets an impossible standard.

Read More →
The High-Achiever Reset
The High-Achiever Reset

January 2026 hits different. It comes exposing things we’ve been quietly tolerating.

The pace. The pressure. The feeling that on paper everything looks “successful,” yet something underneath feels misaligned.

For high achievers especially, this moment hits differently. We’re used to pushing through. We’re good at performing, producing, and figuring things out. We’ve built careers, credentials, businesses, and lives that required discipline and sacrifice. But somewhere along the way, many of us realized that achievement alone doesn’t automatically equal sustainability.

This year doesn’t need louder goals or more hustle. For many of us, it needs a reset.

Read More →
 
Featured
Motherhood Didn’t Shrink My Ambition, It Refined It
Motherhood Didn’t Shrink My Ambition, It Refined It

For a long time, ambition tends to look the same for many high achievers. It is measured in expansion. More opportunity, more responsibility, more progress, more growth. The assumption is that ambition should keep widening over time, and that success means continuously doing more.

For many of us, that mindset works for a long time. It carries us through school, early career milestones, and the pursuit of opportunities that feel exciting and expansive. Productivity systems, goal setting, and disciplined work habits reinforce the idea that if you are organized enough and motivated enough, you can continue to increase your capacity indefinitely.

Read More →
The Stage of Practice Ownership No One Talks About
The Stage of Practice Ownership No One Talks About

When people talk about practice ownership, the conversation usually centers around two stages.

The beginning.

And the growth phase.

The beginning is full of adrenaline. There’s the leap into entrepreneurship, the excitement of finally building something that belongs to you. After years of training and working within systems someone else created, ownership feels like freedom.

Then comes growth.

Growth is the stage everyone celebrates. More patients. Expanding teams. Increased production. New systems. New marketing strategies. Conferences and podcasts dedicated to scaling.

Read More →
I’ve Been Documenting My Life Online Since 2007
I’ve Been Documenting My Life Online Since 2007

You could call it a habit.
Or maybe just a quiet instinct I’ve always had.

But long before Instagram, long before personal branding became a strategy, I started documenting my life online.

It was 2007.

At the time, I was simply a student with big goals and a lot of questions about how life would unfold. My first blog was called Climb, Reach, Achieve. The name itself captured exactly where I was in that phase of life: ambitious, hopeful, focused on what was ahead.

Writing was a way to process the climb.

Read More →
Featured
Motherhood Didn’t Shrink My Ambition, It Refined It
Motherhood Didn’t Shrink My Ambition, It Refined It

For a long time, ambition tends to look the same for many high achievers. It is measured in expansion. More opportunity, more responsibility, more progress, more growth. The assumption is that ambition should keep widening over time, and that success means continuously doing more.

For many of us, that mindset works for a long time. It carries us through school, early career milestones, and the pursuit of opportunities that feel exciting and expansive. Productivity systems, goal setting, and disciplined work habits reinforce the idea that if you are organized enough and motivated enough, you can continue to increase your capacity indefinitely.

Read More →
The Stage of Practice Ownership No One Talks About
The Stage of Practice Ownership No One Talks About

When people talk about practice ownership, the conversation usually centers around two stages.

The beginning.

And the growth phase.

The beginning is full of adrenaline. There’s the leap into entrepreneurship, the excitement of finally building something that belongs to you. After years of training and working within systems someone else created, ownership feels like freedom.

Then comes growth.

Growth is the stage everyone celebrates. More patients. Expanding teams. Increased production. New systems. New marketing strategies. Conferences and podcasts dedicated to scaling.

Read More →
I’ve Been Documenting My Life Online Since 2007
I’ve Been Documenting My Life Online Since 2007

You could call it a habit.
Or maybe just a quiet instinct I’ve always had.

But long before Instagram, long before personal branding became a strategy, I started documenting my life online.

It was 2007.

At the time, I was simply a student with big goals and a lot of questions about how life would unfold. My first blog was called Climb, Reach, Achieve. The name itself captured exactly where I was in that phase of life: ambitious, hopeful, focused on what was ahead.

Writing was a way to process the climb.

Read More →
Early Signs Your Child Might Need Braces (And When to Actually See an Orthodontist)
Early Signs Your Child Might Need Braces (And When to Actually See an Orthodontist)

As a parent, it’s natural to wonder whether your child’s teeth are developing “normally.” Some kids seem to have perfectly straight smiles early on, while others look… a little chaotic. The truth is, orthodontic concerns don’t always announce themselves with obvious crooked teeth. Many early signs are subtle—and often overlooked.

The good news? Early awareness doesn’t always mean early treatment. It simply means informed, calm decision-making.

Most orthodontic associations recommend a first evaluation around age 7. That doesn’t mean braces at 7, it means observation.

Read More →
The Work-Life Balance Myth for Healthcare Moms and What Actually Works
The Work-Life Balance Myth for Healthcare Moms and What Actually Works

If you’re a mother in healthcare, you’ve likely been sold the idea of “balance” as if the right planner, schedule, or mindset could make demanding work and motherhood feel evenly distributed. I know because I once thought this was totally doable. It’s more of a “balancing act.”

In reality? Balance is a myth, and chasing it can leave you feeling like you’re constantly falling short.

Generally speaking, healthcare is not a flexible, low-demand career. It requires presence, precision, emotional labor, and responsibility, often all at once. Motherhood demands the same. Trying to give equal energy to both at all times sets an impossible standard.

Read More →
The High-Achiever Reset
The High-Achiever Reset

January 2026 hits different. It comes exposing things we’ve been quietly tolerating.

The pace. The pressure. The feeling that on paper everything looks “successful,” yet something underneath feels misaligned.

For high achievers especially, this moment hits differently. We’re used to pushing through. We’re good at performing, producing, and figuring things out. We’ve built careers, credentials, businesses, and lives that required discipline and sacrifice. But somewhere along the way, many of us realized that achievement alone doesn’t automatically equal sustainability.

This year doesn’t need louder goals or more hustle. For many of us, it needs a reset.

Read More →
 
 

01.


Personal development

What does it mean to live a full, balanced life? Meaningful work matters, but so do health, relationships, and peace of mind.

Reflections and practical insights on growing into a life that feels as good as it looks.

Learn More

02.


oral care

Evidence-based oral care insights from an orthodontist, including toothpaste guides, whitening advice, and practical tips for a healthier smile.

Clear, trustworthy information to help you care for your teeth with confidence.

Learn More

03.


 professional + Financial Development

Insights on building a meaningful career and a sustainable financial life, from the perspective of a practicing orthodontist and business owner. Practical guidance, honest reflections, and lessons learned along the way.

Learn More
 
 

The Climb+

If you love the honesty and inspiration of The Climb, The Climb+ is where we take it one step further. Each month, I share exclusive deep dives, private audio reflections, and guided prompts to help you turn reflection into action - in your career, your business, and your everyday life.

JOIN THE CLIMB+
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I’ve been writing online since 2007. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Long before Instagram, I started documenting the different phases of ambition. First as a student, later as a dentist, an entrepreneur, and eventually a mother navigating the intersection of ambiti
Life lately… One more year pon dem! 🥳 updates on my community (join at link in bio) and lots of thoughts & reflections
Less about doing less. More about becoming more precise. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ For years productivity felt like the answer to everything: better routines, better systems, better optimization. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ But eventually high achievers reach a point where efficiency