Today we’d like to introduce you to Cynthia Uzoukwu Hammonds.
Cynthia, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Cynthia Uzoukwu Hammonds. I am a general dentist treating families at my practice, Keller Modern Dentistry, for over 2 years which I co-own with my business partners. I’ve been practicing dentistry for over five years, and it has its ups and downs, but I honestly couldn’t see myself doing anything else.
I grew up in the Dallas area, but moved to Nigeria when I was 11 for boarding school until I was 16, then came back and finished high school here in Texas before going to Hofstra University in New York on scholarship, and later returning to attend UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry.
I got married two years ago, and after planning two weddings (a Nigerian traditional wedding with all the bells and whistles here in Dallas, then my white dress wedding in Mexico), I was itching for a new project and started my jewelry brand, Amara Dallas, as a creative outlet.
I’ve always loved social media and production, so I started posting things I love, like my outfits and my trips, and more recently, advice to young female entrepreneurs and dentists navigating the first few years of their careers. I get so many messages from people saying they’ve been encouraged by what I share, or asking for advice, so I thought, why not start a podcast interviewing successful women in my life who’ve helped me? My peer system, as I call it. Sharing that advice with others who may not have that support is how my podcast, Wealth, Wellness & Womanhood, was born. It feels the most like me.
As the eldest daughter to immigrant parents, I naturally take on the role of “big sis” in most of my relationships, and that carried into healthcare too. I love educating and empowering my patients, and doing the same for the people in my life in any way I can.
I’ve hosted community events for both Amara Dallas and WWW because I genuinely love connecting with people in real life, not just online, and I hope to do a lot more of that in the future.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the challenges I face is being hard on myself. It’s contributed to the success I’ve had, but it can also make it hard to enjoy that success. Whenever an interaction with a patient or a procedure doesn’t go as perfectly as it should have in my own head, that’s the hardest part. Learning to let go of perfectionism and leave work at work is a real challenge. Dentists are judged in school by less than a millimeter, and translating that mindset into real life can make it hard to enjoy the wins.
On top of that, balancing the practice with Amara Dallas and the podcast is its own challenge. Building multiple things at once means there’s rarely a day where I feel fully caught up with everything, and I’ve had to get comfortable knowing something will always a work in progress.
I’ve had to be very intentional about shifting my mindset and taking a moment to actually sit in a win instead of immediately moving to the next thing on my list. It’s a practice, not something I’ve perfected but I have the best support system in my husband, my sister, and my friends and family, who remind me of the truth of who I am. My husband tells me I’m the best dentist in DFW, and it reminds me that I’m making people’s lives better every day. Most importantly, trusting God’s plan and purpose is the throughline of my life.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a general dentist and part owner of Keller Modern Dentistry and Orthodontics. I am also the founder of Wealth, Wellness & Womanhood, a media company and podcast where I interview successful women in my life who I admire and who are helping shape my journey into entrepreneurship, covering the real conversations around building wealth, protecting your wellness, and navigating womanhood as an ambitious woman. I am also the founder of Amara Dallas, a jewelry brand that features durable, long-lasting pieces that elevate your everyday wardrobe. And I am active on social media, where I share content ranging from recommendations that help women feel their best to advice for young female dentists navigating the early years of their careers.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Likes: lying on the beach with a good book, trying new restaurants in Dallas, hot sculpt classes, and hosting friends.
Dislikes: Fruit pies, yes, even your meemaw’s best apple pie recipe. And the fact that the mouth gets treated like it’s separate from the body. Oral health affects your whole body, your heart, your gut, your overall wellness. Research has linked gum disease to an increased risk of heart disease, yet oral health is so often treated as an afterthought instead of a core part of your overall health. As a dentist, that disconnect is one of my biggest pet peeves.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kellermoderndentistry.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyn_hammonds/
- Facebook: amaradallas.com
- Twitter: https://www.instagram.com/wealthwellnessandwomanhood/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@wealthwellnessandwomanhood
- Other: https://pod.link/1891201642?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAcGRvZgJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA85MzY2MTk3NDMzOTI0NTkAAaeuv2SiHYlLlEkbvlJJpAS__ONy1vC6Cez5IVYohD81LWLW-el3fhCp7eS_ZQ_aem_4V4evSMi0uEJmtdaLXzS6g&view=apps&sort=popularity
