NATCHEZ — Dentists John Carlton and Cassy Simpson have followed a career path lined with molars, dotted by crowns and pocked with the occasional cavity.

Carlton Family Dentistry will be a shiny new cap on local business when it opens to the public on May 2.

Carlton and Simpson, both 1999 graduates of Adams County Christian School, attended Copiah-Lincoln Community College and dental school together at UMC in Jackson. Now Simpson joins Carlton’s family dentistry practice.

Carlton said it has been a lifelong goal to be his own boss in his own family practice.

“This way you know everything is set up right, and you can do it your way,” Carlton said. “The only problem is, we don’t have patients yet.”

Carlton said he aspired to perhaps buy an existing practice from a retiring dentist, but he found the prospect too expensive.

“I don’t want to be in debt,” Carlton said. “Paying for school is debt enough.”

Carlton said opening a practice in his hometown is important to him.

“Basically we want to see Natchez progress and grow, and be everything it was when we were growing up,” Carlton said. “As young professionals coming back to invest in Natchez one by one, it might encourage others to follow suit.”

In addition to opening up a family practice, both dentists fix inmates’ teeth at the Adams County Correctional Facility.

At Carlton Family Dentistry, Carlton said they will perform the gamut of dental services on children to elderly patients including fillings, crowns, bridges and cleanings.

For serious oral problems and infections, Carlton said he would refer patients to a periodontist or oral surgeon.

“The rest we can do here,” Carlton said.

Carlton said one of the biggest challenges to dentistry is pediatrics.

“Some kids are great,” Carlton said. “And some kids will bite your finger. They will go see Dr. Bradford.”

Craig A. Bradford, who practices pediatric dentistry in Natchez, inspired Carlton to pursue a career in the field.

“Dr. Bradford was always so nice and kind to me,” Carlton said. “I wanted to be like him.”

Simpson said she was inspired to pursue dentistry by Bruce Scarborough, her family dentist.

“I was so nervous,” Simpson said. “He told me he wanted to have a serious discussion with me. He said, ‘Don’t ever forget, there are only two men you can trust, your father and your dentist.’ That’s what I tell the inmates, they can only trust their mama and their dentist.”

Carlton said he is most looking forward to treating friends and family as his practice gets off the ground. He is excited about using the latest dental technology and equipment, like digital radiographs.

“Digital radiographs are dental X-rays, with much less radiation,” Carlton said. “Regular film-based radiation is like a day in the sun, but with the digital (method), there is less than that.”

The office, located at 500 U.S. 61 North, is painted with calming colors and designed with home-like furnishings, modern décor and flat screen TVs in every room.

“It helps some patients relieve apprehensiveness if they watch TV while in the chair,” Carlton said.

Simpson said she will have a presence at Carlton Family Dentistry two days a week.

“I will probably be here Thursday and Saturday,” Simpson said. “We wanted to be open one weekend day for people who have tight work schedules.”

Simpson said she never would have guessed that Carlton, just a friendly acquaintance in high school, would be a business partner.

“We had a ‘hi and bye’ kind of thing in high school,” Simpson said. “We became really good friends in dental school. Now he’s the best friend I’ve got.”

Simpson said the most rewarding aspect of being a dentist is developing interpersonal relationships with patients and their families.

“We even get that at prison,” Simpson said. “We will build patient-doctor relationships. Dentists invest in lives, and (patients) invest in yours. You see their kids grow up and get married, you get to know their story, and you do that with numerous people.

“That’s what John and I love about Natchez,” Simpson said. “It’s a small community, and we have relationships established. We felt happy to be able to move back here.”

Carlton Family Dentistry will be open Mondays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Most insurances are accepted.

“We will offer good patient care and take plenty of time with everybody,” Carlton said.

Simpson agreed.

“Here you will find small town courtesy with big city care,” Simpson said.

For appointments, call 601-653-0003.