In the heart of Fort Worth, Dr. Marie Holliday, a prominent figure in the local community, is not just a dentist but a serial entrepreneur who has left an indelible mark on Sundance Square. Not to be confused with the outlaw “Doc” Holliday who practiced dentistry in Dallas, “Doc” Marie Holliday is one of the good guys. We sat down with Dr. Holliday to delve into her diverse ventures and the lessons she’s learned along the way.
Holliday’s journey began in Longview, Texas, but it was in Fort Worth that her family laid down their roots when she was just six months old. Raised by her parents, the Late Rev. C.A. and Alyce Holliday, who were graduates of Bishop College in Marshall, Texas, she developed a strong foundation rooted in love, peace, and family values.
Graduating from OD Wyatt HS in 1970, Holliday pursued higher education in Boston, attending Boston University and Tufts School of Dental Medicine. She originally planned to become an attorney, but reevaluated things and opted to enter dentistry to carry out her mission of helping others while giving her the flexibility of setting her own hours and being able to comfortably balance a family.
Now in business for more than 30 years, Holliday has been a practicing dentist for over 30 years, owning and operating as many as three businesses in three different industries in Sundance Square. She not only owns Let It Shine Dental but also has a passion for floral design, showcased through her flower shop, Flowers to Go, and the high-end fragrance boutique, Parfumerie Marie Antoinette, which is now an online only business.
Reflecting on the changes in the dental industry, she notes the shift from service-oriented care to corporate dentistry. Holliday emphasizes the importance of preventive patient care and the oral-systemic link, connecting oral health to various medical conditions. Healthcare professionals continue to find evidence supporting the oral-systemic link. Symptoms of health issues such as diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease can first be detected in the mouth. “The mouth is the gateway to the body,” says Holliday.
She ruminates on changes in the industry and how they have impacted the profession’s commitment to comprehensive preventative patient care. Holliday continues to work with her patients directly to help them make solid, safe decisions regarding their dental care, going against the model that many other dental offices practice. She maintains the belief that service-oriented care is still best and remains a strong advocate for early intervention, stressing “the longer one waits for treatment, the more it costs.”
To read the full story, click on the cover of the December 2023 issue of the magazine.
