Greenwood Orthodontic Specialists has just welcomed its third generation of orthodontists.
Originally named Phillips and White Orthodontics, the practice was started by Dr. Shelley H. Phillips and his son-in-law, Dr. Rob White. Now, the legacy continues with White’s son, Dr. Spencer White, who will work alongside him. They’ve since renamed the clinic to better match their family.
Both grew up and went to school in Greenwood and then went on to Mississippi State University. Rob attended dental school at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and Spencer attended dental school at the University of Tennessee.
Spencer, 29, only just started at the clinic in January, upon completion of his residency at St. Louis University.
Spencer is married to Cari Brooke, whom he met in high school.
They are expecting their first child in July.
Rob, 63, is married to Teri Phillips, whom he also met in high school. He also has a daughter, Ashley Murray, and two grandchildren, Hudson and Ann Claire.
The father and son are excited about getting to work together as equals.
“He brings some new things in the area — technology that makes it so much easier for me to learn from him,” Rob said of Spencer.
Spencer has brought clear liner treatments to the practice, something that had previously been unavailable.
“Both my grandfather and dad have established a legacy in Greenwood as somewhere people can go and know they’re going to get the best treatment available and know that it’s a friendly, family-run business,” Spencer said.
“My goal is just to continue that legacy they started,” he added.
Spencer started studying engineering in college but then realized that dentistry was his true passion.
“Orthodontics is kind of like a puzzle,” Spencer said. “It kind of combines elements of art and science.”
“It’s not instant gratification; it is a slow process, but it’s so awesome to see someone come so far and see them transition into something that’s great and beautiful,” he said.
During their off time, the Whites enjoy hunting. They mainly hunt deer and turkeys, and when they’re not in the woods, they spend their time in Starkville, cheering on the Bulldogs.
Spencer said he spent a lot of time in the clinic as a kid, and he would often help his father do things around the office, such as trying to make a retainer.
“What helped, probably, influence my decision the most is that he never pressured me to try to become an orthodontist,” Spencer said of his father. “He didn’t care what I did as long as I was happy.”
“I told him he was welcome to come back, but I wanted him to make the decision on his own,” Rob said. “I didn’t try to pressure him into coming back at all.”
Spencer said that Greenwood gave a lot to him and his family, and the least he could do was return and try to give a little of that back.
“He’s done real well through all the schooling, so I was real proud of him for all that, and that made me real proud to get him back here,” Rob said.
“I’m learning from him, and he’s learning from me, and that’s what’s been needed,” Rob said.
•Contact Kerrigan Herret at 581-7233 or kherret@gwcommonwealth.com.
