By Nate Abraham Jr.
BUSINESS PROFILE Editor’s Note: We first profiled Dr. Gary Bethea in our May 17, 2018 issue. To read the original story, please visit Carolina-Panorama.com.
This month (May 2024), Dr. Gary Bethea is celebrating the sixth anniversary of the Bethea Family Dentistry.
Dr. Gary Bethea’s journey into dentistry began with a long drive. A little over six years ago, he worked at an associate dentist as a dental facility in Sumter. He made a daily commute from Columbia and was comfortable with his routine. But a desire to learn more about the business side of dentistry led him to take a leap of faith. He decided to open his own dental practice.
“I just got to that point where I felt like God was leading me to open up Bethea Family Dentistry,” Dr. Bethea recalled. “I live in Columbia, so opening a practice here just allowed me to be able to cut that drive out. It also allowed me to start making roots in Columbia. That is where I go to church, where my kids go to school, and where everything is.”
Dr. Bethea knew it would mean stepping out of his comfort zone, but he felt a higher calling. He wanted to serve the community he lived in, eliminating the need for patients to travel long distances for quality dental care. With these goals in mind, Bethea Family Dentistry was born at 4760 Hardscrabble Road, Suite 102 in Columbia in May 2018.
From humble beginnings with just one front desk staff member and one assistant, Bethea Family Dentistry has flourished. Dr. Bethea now leads a team of seven dedicated professionals, including hygienists, assistants and administrative staff. His patient base has grown exponentially, from zero to an impressive 3,500 patients in just six years.
“The people here supported us from day one,” said Dr. Bethea. “We opened the doors and it just took off.”
Dr. Bethea’s commitment to excellence extends beyond clinical expertise. His practice is built on personalized dentistry, where patients are more than just appointments — they’re family. The team takes the time to get to know each patient, ensuring a positive experience and a healthy smile.
“The phone still rings like crazy. There’s always room for a good dentist if you do good work,” he said.
Dr. Bethea’s hard work and dedication have not gone unnoticed. In 2019, Bethea Family Dentistry received the Better
Business Bureau Business of the Year Torch Award, a testament to their outstanding service. Additionally, Dr. Bethea was named one of Columbia Business Monthly’s Best and Brightest 35 and under.
Dr. Bethea’s impact extends beyond his practice. He recently authored a book titled “Deeper Than Dentistry,” sharing his life story and motivating others to pursue their dreams. The book recounts how he was able to survive a kidnapping incident when he was a teen to becoming a successful dentist. The book is available on Amazon.com.
“When I first started this practice, Deeper Than Dentistry was just a saying I had,” said Dr. Bethea. “Now it is actually a nonprofit that me and my wife run together.”
Deeper Than Dentistry hosts free dental days where he provides dental services for the less fortunate, donates dental supplies to the homeless and people getting out of prison, hosts health career summits for people considering a career a dentistry, does public speaking and mentors potential dentists.
“There is something new almost every year that we’re doing,” said Dr. Bethea. “Visit DeeperThanDentistry.org to see what we have going on.”
Dr. Bethea says that his faith is a part of everything he does.
“I am a follower of Christ,” he said. “To me, this is just my ministry. Deeper Than Dentistry is just going beyond the teeth. I save teeth all day long, but it’s also good to point people to the person that can save souls. That’s the even deeper aspect of outreach because any time I get a chance to share the Gospel, I am going to share it.”
Dr. Bethea says that he is grateful for the success he has experienced over the past six years, and he looks forward to growing more in the next few years.
“We just appreciate community for welcoming us with open arms,” he said. “There are so many other places that they can go, so we never take for granted the fact that people choose to come and support Bethea Family Dentistry. To celebrate six years is a blessing.”
Dr. Gary Bethea and the Bethea Family Dentistry team are passionate about your oral health and well-being. They treat every patient with respect and value the relationships they build. Visit their office at 4760 Hard Scrabble Road, Suite 102, Columbia, SC 29229, or call them at (803) 462-4554 to experience their compassionate dentistry firsthand.
