BE HEARD Vol. 3
The Art Of A Smile: Dr. Leon Butcher’s Journey in Dentistry and Community.
Dr. Leon Butcher, DDS
Growing up in Buffalo, New York, Dr. Leon Butcher never expected to become a dentist. As a kid, his world revolved around anime, and if you asked him back then, his future was simple—he wanted to be Goku. But one unexpected moment in gym class altered his path forever.
“I was six years old when I chipped my tooth. I remember crying like crazy,” he recalls. His father rushed him to the dentist, a visit that should have been just another routine fix. Instead, it became the spark that lit a lifelong passion. Watching the intricate process of restoring his tooth fascinated him. “I left thinking, ‘This is actually pretty cool. Maybe I could do this one day.’”
That curiosity simmered in the background until high school, when a cousin studying dentistry gave him a deeper perspective on the profession. “He laid it all out—the challenges, the rewards, and the impact it could have on the community,” Butcher explains. The more he learned, the more dentistry felt like more than just a career—it was a way to help people in a tangible, lasting way.
The Road to Dentistry
Breaking into dentistry was no easy feat. “I had to take extra pre-health courses, tackle the Dental Admissions Test, and retake a few classes,” he says. It was a test of resilience, but he stayed focused, immersing himself in research, community health initiatives, and volunteer work.
Beyond academics, his time in college was shaped by the people around him. “Man, those years were a grind, but we made sure to have fun too,” he recalls. “We built a tight-knit crew—celebrating birthdays, holidays, and just getting through the stress together. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s—we made those moments count.” The connections he formed at UB carried into dental school, where that same sense of camaraderie helped him push through the challenges.
In 2019, all the hard work paid off when he was accepted into the University of Maryland’s School of Dentistry. The program was rigorous, but it was also transformative. “My class had 123 students, and only about 20 looked like me,” he shares. Despite the challenges of representation, a strong sense of community formed. “We built a support system. We pushed each other, celebrated milestones, and grew together.”
Following dental school, Butcher pursued a General Practice Residency at SUNY Upstate Medical University. “I wasn’t thrilled about going back to the cold,” he laughs, “but it turned out to be exactly what I needed. It sharpened my skills, gave me real-world insight, and made me a better dentist.”
Dentistry as an Art
For Dr. Leon Butcher, dentistry is far more than a technical skill—it’s a craft, a form of artistry that blends science with creativity. Every patient who sits in his chair presents a unique case, an opportunity to restore not just a smile but a sense of confidence and self-assurance. “You’re literally sculpting smiles, refining details, and restoring confidence,” he explains. “Every tooth tells a different story, and my job is to help shape that story into something beautiful.”
Much like a sculptor working with clay, Butcher carefully considers the structure, balance, and aesthetics of every smile he enhances. From the fine details of shaping a restoration to the precision of color matching and alignment, his work requires both technical mastery and an artistic eye. “It’s more than just fixing teeth—it’s about creating harmony and function while giving someone a reason to smile without hesitation.”
But his artistry doesn’t stop at dentistry. He views creation as a way of life, a mindset that influences everything he does. Whether it’s the way he connects with his patients, his engagement in cultural conversations, or his personal sense of style, Butcher approaches every aspect of life with intention. “I’ve always wanted to create something meaningful,” he says. “Whether it’s a smile, an opportunity, or a movement, I want my work to leave a lasting impact.”
This passion for creativity fuels his approach to patient care as well. Beyond the clinical work, he focuses on building trust and relationships, making patients feel seen, heard, and valued. “A lot of people fear the dentist, but when you humanize the experience—when you make them feel comfortable and understood—it changes everything.”
For Butcher, every smile he transforms is a reminder of why he chose this path: to create, to inspire, and to leave a mark that lasts far beyond the dental chair. Building Community Through Dentistry.
Dentistry, to him, is also about service. From volunteering with Habitat for Humanity to organizing food drives with Candles in the Sun, Butcher has always prioritized giving back. “It’s about helping people with no expectation of anything in return,” he reflects. That mindset carried into dental school, where treating patients wasn’t about financial gain—it was about making a difference.
Now based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Butcher continues this mission. Since moving, he’s already been active in community initiatives, from feeding the homeless to exploring ways to provide free dental care in underserved areas. “I just want to improve as many lives as I can,” he says. Conversations at work have even sparked ideas for dental mission trips to extend care beyond his local community.
A New Chapter in Charlotte: Growth, Community, and Impact
Relocating to Charlotte, North Carolina was more than just a move for Dr. Leon Butcher—it was the start of an exciting new chapter, both personally and professionally. After years of education and training in Buffalo and Maryland, Charlotte felt like the perfect place to plant roots. “My dad and siblings have been here for years, so it felt right,” he shares. “It’s a city full of opportunity, and I love the culture, the people, and the energy.
Beyond the professional opportunities, Charlotte’s vibrant atmosphere has given Butcher the chance to connect with the community in new ways. Whether exploring the city’s vintage markets, engaging in local events, or simply embracing the warmer weather, he’s fully embracing this next phase of life. “The lifestyle here just fits,” he says. “It’s a mix of fast-paced and laid-back, and that balance is exactly what I needed.”
Bridging the Gap Between Dentistry and Community
While settling into his career in Charlotte, Butcher is already looking ahead to fresh ways to make an impact. One of his key initiatives is a partnership with Community x Soul, an effort to bring oral health awareness directly to the people in a way that feels relatable and engaging. “A lot of people have fears about going to the dentist,” he says. “But that fear often comes from a lack of knowledge or bad past experiences. Through informative messages, storytelling, and real conversations, we want to break down those barriers and change the way people think about dental care.”
This partnership aligns perfectly with Butcher’s belief that dentistry should be more than just a transactional service—it should be a tool for empowerment and education. By merging his expertise with Community x Soul’s mission of awareness and inclusivity, he hopes to create a space where people feel comfortable learning about oral health and taking control of their well-being. “It’s about accessibility,” he explains. “People shouldn’t have to wait until there’s a major issue to seek care. I want to provide information that helps people stay ahead of their health, not just react to problems when they arise.”
More Than Just a Career—A Purpose
Dr. Butcher’s journey is one of perseverance, passion, and purpose. From a six-year-old with a chipped tooth to a dentist dedicated to reshaping lives, his story is proof that sometimes, the smallest moments lead to the biggest transformations. And for him, this is just the beginning.
As he continues to build his career and deepen his roots in Charlotte, one thing remains clear: his impact will go far beyond the dental chair. Whether through his craft, his outreach, or his community engagement, Butcher is committed to creating, inspiring, and leaving a lasting mark.
And in this next chapter, the best is yet to come.
