Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Carr.
Hi Kayla, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a small town in Kentucky—a place that reminds me so much of Fairview, where I’ve now opened my own practice. I was a competitive gymnast growing up, which led to a scholarship at Auburn University, where I earned my undergraduate degree. After college, I returned home to attend Dental School and complete my Orthodontics Residency at the University of Louisville.
After marrying my husband in 2015, we moved to Tennessee, where we’re now raising our four amazing (and very energetic) kids.
This practice has been seven years in the making. In the first few years after residency, I focused on gaining speed, skill, and confidence. By 2018, I began dreaming seriously about starting something of my own. On my daily commute through Fairview to a job in Parsons, the town started to tug at my heart. It just felt like home. Even when the demographics and numbers didn’t quite make business sense, something about this community stayed with me.
In 2019, just as I was starting to look for a location, we found out I was pregnant with our third child. So I hit pause—and looking back, I can clearly see God’s hand in the timing. I was spared the chaos of trying to launch a new practice during COVID while caring for a newborn.
Then in 2022, a job that didn’t go as planned turned into a divine detour. It led me to connect with Dr. Breanna Barnes, who was opening her pediatric dental office right here in Fairview. We met up for a playdate—our daughters are both named Lillian!—and instantly clicked. She and her team have been an incredible blessing, graciously opening their doors to me while my own space faced one delay after another.
Now, after years of praying, preparing, and patiently waiting—we are in our own space and excited about serving the community of Fairview and surrounding areas.
I truly love what I do. I’m a total tooth nerd, and there’s nothing more rewarding than helping someone gain confidence through their smile. I’m incredibly grateful to God, to my family, and to everyone who has walked with me on this journey.
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?
There have been plenty of challenges along the way—from jobs that didn’t turn out as I had hoped, to countless delays in getting into our permanent location. Still, through every setback, I chose to trust in the Lord and His perfect timing.
As you know, we’re big fans of Carr Orthodontics. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At our practice, we do far more than just straighten teeth—we take a whole-person, holistic approach to orthodontics. As a Board-Certified Orthodontist, I’m passionate about identifying and addressing the root causes of dental and skeletal issues rather than just treating symptoms. That means I look closely at facial growth, airway health, tongue and lip ties, oral habits, and overall development. I also collaborate with a network of trusted specialists, including pediatric dentists, general dentists, ENTs, sleep medicine doctors, myofunctional therapists, oral surgeons, and periodontists, to ensure each patient receives truly comprehensive care.
I invest countless hours and significant resources each year into continuing education, because I believe my patients deserve the most up-to-date, evidence-based, and thoughtful care possible. Orthodontics is constantly evolving, and I’m committed to staying on the leading edge to best serve my patients.
What truly sets our practice apart is the environment we’ve created—one that reflects my deep faith in Jesus. Our space was built on prayer and purpose, and I’m most proud of how that heart comes through. When you walk through our doors, you’ll find a calming, welcoming atmosphere, Christian music playing softly in the background, and a team that genuinely cares about every individual who comes in.
My ultimate goal is to reflect the love of Christ in everything we do—and helping our patients gain the confidence of a beautiful, healthy smile is a meaningful part of that mission.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I believe the most important quality behind my success has been perseverance rooted in faith. Orthodontics is a field that requires precision, patience, and lifelong learning—but building a practice from the ground up has demanded even more: resilience, adaptability, and trust in God’s timing. I’m committed to excellence, constantly investing in continuing education and staying at the forefront of my specialty. But more than anything, my heart for serving others—with compassion, integrity, and genuine care—is what drives everything I do.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.carrorthodontics.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carrorthodontics?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552112452018
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kayla-carr-81b74140/
- Other: hello@carrorthodontics.com
