Dr. Holly Ellis knew she wanted to be a dentist from a young age.

“I luckily had really positive experiences (at the dentist).”

This career path was solidified as she job shadowed dentists in high school. She entered the pre-dental program at Missouri State, and earned a bachelor’s degree in cell and molecular biology in 2002.

Her time on campus was full of social activities as well as academics. “I loved being in a sorority. I was a Sigma Kappa.” She lived in the sorority house for two years. “I met a lot of good friends there.” She was also a University Ambassador. “I really loved giving the tour of the campus.”

In the fall of 1998, her freshman year, she met a guy named Justin Ellis in Blair-Shannon House. He asked her to a dance… and in 2005, they were married.

Justin, ’02, is a Missouri State Alumni Association board member. The couple has visited campus with their two children, so Holly Ellis was again able to use her MSU tour skills: “It was so fun to show them where we lived and what we did while we were there.”

Building her own private dental practice; helping others

After MSU, Ellis earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 2006 from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

In 2009, she opened her own private dental practice near St. Louis, called Ellis Dental. Her team of 10 has won at least eight awards since the practice opened.
Ellis’ dental work doesn’t stop in her office, though. She uses her professional abilities to help those in need in her community and abroad.

“I kind of feel like each of us has some type of God-given talent, and mine’s not singing and dancing, it’s working with my hands,” she said.

She says dentistry is what she does well, so it’s the avenue she wants to use to give back. “The feeling you get by helping people, and to be able to help people and not expect anything in return — and just give the gift you’ve been given — is rewarding.”

Going on a dental mission to Jamaica with a fellow alumna

Ellis always wanted to do a mission trip. In 2009, she did just that, along with fellow alumna Dr. Kelsey Snavely Akin, ’02, a friend of Ellis’ from MSU and dental school. The two dentists and their parents visited Huddersfield, a remote village in Jamaica, to provide dental assistance through the program 1000 Smiles.“The area we visited in Jamaica, they just don’t have dental care there.”
1000 Smiles’ website says there is just one public dentist for every 100,000 people in rural Jamaica.

“We took out a lot of teeth. I mean hundreds of teeth in a week. But these people had been in pain for a long time. They were thrilled to have some help.”

Ellis promised those she met there that she would return. She went back in 2012 — about six months after giving birth to her first child. This time, she brought two Ellis Dental employees along with her.

“I told all of my team that if anyone could go, they would really reap the reward from going on a dental mission if they had not done that.” Since she had already been once before, she knew what to expect.

She was able to think of needed supplies to bring to the residents of Huddersfield, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss and hand sanitizer. “I just wanted to see the people and help them again. It was such a good experience the first time,” Ellis said.

Husband says ‘She’s constantly finding ways to give back’

Ellis also helps within her community. She gives free dental assistance twice a year to underserved children through the program Give Kids a Smile. “It’s only for kids, and they don’t get charged anything,” Ellis said.

“They can come with a toothache or just to get their teeth cleaned, and we take care of them.”

She also is active in her area Chamber of Commerce. In fact, Ellis Dental received Business of the Year in 2016 from the chamber.
“I find myself in awe of her ability to excel at whatever she does,” said Justin Ellis. “She’s constantly finding ways to give back or be involved in
the community.”

Snavely Akin, Ellis’ friend since 1999, calls her a selfless person.

“She’s always willing to help out, and she’s able to balance it all between being a dentist, a wife, a mom and a friend to so many people.”