As someone who has always had a love for children, Dr. Angela Austin’s professional journey always seemed fated to focus on kids. “I used to want to be a kindergarten teacher because I absolutely love that age,” she says. “I’ve always loved working with children, and I also always knew I wanted to help people.”
The intersection of those two goals led her to pediatric dentistry, and the summer before her junior year in college, she spent time in Manhattan doing biomedical research, volunteering on Saturdays in a dental office. “I fell in love with the dental field from there,” she says.
Dr. Angela Austin of Little Dental Studio
Since graduating from dental school in 2004 at the age of 25, Dr. Austin has made it her mission to provide excellent dental care, driven by her natural desire to help people as well as her affinity for working with children. “As a pediatric dentist, I love the fact that I have the important role of shaping a child’s view of the dentist and their relationship with oral hygiene. I take that very seriously. Prevention is important to me, and to intercept issues before they arise or take care of them and re-direct the direction of their oral health care in a positive way is a major reason why I chose pediatric dentistry. And, like I said, I just love kids! The wonder in their eyes and seeing their excitement on a day-to-day basis will never get old.”
Naturally, running a pediatric dental practice comes with its challenges, the greatest of which has been, in Dr. Austin’s estimation, navigating business ownership during the pandemic and its aftermath. “It’s been a true test to any business owner’s resilience,” she admits.
Despite these challenges and the others that inherently arise with being a practitioner, she finds immense reward in creating a supportive and fun environment for her team as well as her patients. “I love being able to supply well-paying jobs and treat my team with respect, creating a fun, family-like environment that everyone enjoys,” she says. “And have I mentioned how much I love kids? Seriously, being around children all day, every day is a true joy for me.”
While Dr. Austin lives in Burke, her connection to Alexandria runs deep; and her love for her community is evident in her support for locally owned area businesses. “Alexandria is an incredible city,” she says. “I love how we all come together to support one another—whether that support is needed personally or in business. We have a tight-knit community, and I’m so grateful that we are in a city that is so loving. We all want the best for each other, and I believe that part of making that happen comes in supporting the small businesses in the community. As a small business owner, I understand how important the support of our communities is, and I’m so grateful for all the support we’ve received over the 13 years we’ve been in business here. Over these last few years, both during the pandemic and after, is has become even more evident how fragile business ownership is, and I feel it’s important to love and support our neighbors so we can all be there for each other!”
Dr. Austin is incredibly drawn to unique shops in the area such as Mint Condition and She’s Unique, where she enjoys finding special pieces and jewelry that spark joy.
“Mint Condition is a lovely consignment shop, and finding the perfect piece is always a score!” she enthuses. “I’m, also in love with She’s Unique. The jewelry is truly special, and I’ve gotten so many compliments on my necklace stacks!”
Beyond the passions of her professional life, Dr. Austin is big on all things health and wellness. She loves a good sauna and spa day but also appreciates the natural beauty of Northern Virginia with her family. "Most of my free time is spent taking the kids for walks or hikes, exercising and navigating my kids’ sports,” shares the mother of three.
Busy as it may keep her, Dr. Austin balances motherhood with running three dental offices, sharing the load of raising a family with her “lovely husband,” Jay. “We are busy people!” she says with a laugh. “I love being able to say I’ve navigated this motherhood thing while owning three offices without a nanny—but I’ll admit, I wake up every day and look in the mirror wondering how! As crazy as it gets, I’m just so grateful for health and a sound mind, and I’m sure that plays a big part of being able to juggle so much. Also, being a pediatric dentist and a mother puts such a unique perspective on how I relate to moms now. I get it. There are times we forget to brush their teeth at night. It will be okay! Motherhood is such a beautiful journey, and I’m just grateful for the ride.”
That practical but relaxed approach to life is also evident in Dr. Austin’s travel habits. An advocate of packing light, she has mastered the art of traveling with nothing more than a carry-on. “I’ve gotten so good at this!” she says knowingly. “I’m a carry-on only type of girl—and I’m girlie-girl, so lots of skirts and dresses for me.”
That said, Dr. Austin recommends planning outfits around a few versatile pieces and keeping it simple: “The key is to pack outfits that you can wear the same shoes with. I wear my heavier or bulkier shoes—like boots or sneakers—on the plane so I don’t waste precious suitcase space.”
Dr. Austin's philosophy on packing is all about efficiency and avoiding the classic trap of overpacking. “One tip I give is to pack your suitcase by thinking about each day,” she advises. “What are you doing that day? What are you wearing to breakfast? Are you going to the pool afterwards? What about after that? If you think of each day you’re away by imagining how you’re looking at each part of the day, it’s so much easier to pack, and much less likely you’ll overpack!”
Her practical and stylish methodology ensures that Dr. Austin is always prepared for any occasion, from family trips to getaways with her husband or a girls’ weekend.