Most children fantasize about what they will be when they grow up. Vivid imaginations mold dreams of happy people and colorful lives that lie ahead, waiting like presents to be opened. What accomplishments await each child is life’s great mystery, as most deviate far from their original childhood aspirations. Rarely do we hear of childhood dreams that come to fruition upon reaching adulthood. Sonia Jennings is the exception. In the 3rd grade, she and two other girlfriends made a playground pact, each of them deciding on their adult profession. She promised herself to the field of dentistry. More than 25 years and two degrees later, Dr. Sonia Jennings is exactly where she knew she would be.

As a grade-schooler in Bryan College Station, Sonia would go to her family dentist full of questions. As a high schooler, she sought out odd jobs working and observing in dental offices. Thinking she’d stretch her wings and break the family A&M college tradition, she left the smoldering Aggie bonfires and turned her face toward Austin’s UT campus. After gazing at a less than conservative group of peers sprawled lazily on the lawn, she turned tail back to her Aggie homeland, where a more traditional, small town atmosphere fit like her favorite slippers.

The slippers proved profitable as well as comfortable. A&M offered her a full scholarship that she accepted and showed herself a worthy recipient by successfully completing a fouryear undergraduate program in three years. Sonia went on to graduate studies at San Antonio’s UT Health Science Center, earning her Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1998, then becoming an associate for her mentor, Dr. Edward Castillon, whom she had worked for as chair side assistant and summer associate for 3 years. Sonia considers her association with Dr. Castillon both a rare experience and a blessing as she morphed from assistant status one day to a dentist co-worker the next day; a working transition that proved positive for Dr. Castillon’s patients because they already knew and trusted her work. For the past 2 years, Sonia has been developing her own practice, Jennings Family Dentistry, right next door to her mentor Dr. Castillon where they shared 10 years of dentistry services together.

As a young professional, Sonia learned the fine art of balancing career and personal life. Growing up she was dubbed “Smiley” by her friends and family for obvious reasons; her positive happy attitude kept a smile on her face. When posed with the question of how she maintains her positive attitude, Dr. Jennings quickly responded, “Choose how you want to be and make it happen.” Gifted with youthful wisdom, she embraced the concept that you can choose your thoughts and actions, that attitude & happiness are a choice.

Even now she refuses to be bogged down by the weighty details of stressful days. Rather, she uses this as a platform to stop and regroup mentally & say thank you for the blessings of the day. “Before my feet hit the floor every morning I say a quick prayer of thanks for the blessings bestowed and the gifts yet to be received.” Although she identifies with the challenge of guilt precipitated by not being with her two children during her busy workdays, she purposes toward a balance of career and being an excellent mom. Already her young daughter tells her she is proud that her mom is her dentist.

Into the mix of office hours and family time, Sonia not only attends yearly dental Continued Education courses to stay on the crest of the latest technology, but as a DDS PA member, she sits on multiple professional boards of dental affiliation which have led her to involvement with social organizations such as, the Battered Women and Children’s Shelters and CASA. Sonia views each client as an individual opportunity to blend her professional services and attention into a valued relationship, realizing that each person has unique needs and challenges.

Dr. Jennings has recently brought on a part time associate, Dr. Jacqueline Schutt, who compliments her practice with advanced dentistry skills. Dr. Schutt, originally from Houston, has received advanced general dentistry training in the areas of Invisalign, IV sedation, implants and oral surgery. Dr. Jennings finds enjoyment in the cosmetic side of dentistry where through non extreme or expensive procedures such as, whitening or minor bondings, she can change a person’s perception of what they see when they look in the mirror. She finds pleasure in seeking out opportunities to offer dental assistance to people who otherwise could not afford specialized services. Procedures at her office run the gamut from specialized child dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, to full denture services. Another goal for her practice is to make it a ‘one stop shop‘ for her patients. For anyone needing a specialized service beyond her realm, Dr. Jennings will work to bring the appropriate dentist to her office in order to make the procedure as simple and comprehensive as possible for her patient.

On giving advice to future dental professionals, Dr. Jennings strongly encourages the seeking out of a good mentor and grasping every opportunity to learn the human component of dentistry in tandem with the technical aspect, as this will prove a respectful and formidable foundation upon which their practice can develop. “I was blessed to have good mentors. I went into their office with the attitude that I was there to make their lives easier and in turn they’ve enriched mine beyond explanation.”

This concept of giving and enriching others lives has developed into a ripple effect in Dr. Jennings practice; the ripples swelling and expanding throughout the community to individuals in need of dental care, keeping in motion that beautiful ripple effect, one smile at a time.