Dr. Kristen Alexander-Frey
Interim Dental Director, Missouri Highlands Health Care and General Dentist, Missouri Highlands Dental, Poplar Bluff

Favorite movie or TV show?

I have too many, but if I narrowed down the genre to Disney it would be Beauty and the Beast cartoon version!

How did you choose your practice location?

I chose a career in community health very early in my dental education. As an undergraduate, I saw children in my hometown in southeast Missouri and surrounding areas struggle with access to quality dental care. It was my goal to return to be part of the solution. Missouri Highlands Healthcare is where I have practiced for the last almost 8 years. I have enjoyed working in many of our clinic locations and in our mobile dental bus. For many of the children in the schools where we provide preventive and diagnostic care, we are the only dentist they ever will see. I truly feel I am making a difference in our local communities by providing high quality care and simply just being a caring, positive influence in their lives.

If you could design your dream dental office, what are some things you would include?

My passion is working with children and I would have a kids-only treatment area that is wall-to-wall kid friendly and comforting. Ops would be designed to feel like they were in a jungle, on a farm, undersea or a magical kingdom. – complete with good photo ops for parents to share how inviting and kid friendly the office is!

How do you like to decompress away from the practice?

I love live music concerts! We also frequent Disney world with my 3-year-old princess!

How do you handle working with anxious or fearful patients?

My patient population is about 85% children, and I have found over the years that spending time walking them through the steps and letting them see, hear and touch really does help ease their anxiety. Instilling in them their own independence and emphasizing their bravery with positive reinforcement is huge!

If you could swap to a different profession for a day, what would you choose?

A fully-funded travel blogger!