“Dentistry is hard work — like anything else, you can’t just show up and have your practice boom without putting in the effort.” 

Coty M. Shores, DDS
Shores Dental Co., Duncan Oklahoma


Coty M. Shores, DDS, grew up watching his father start a company from scratch and his mother participate in mission work. He carried his parents’ work ethic with him into dentistry.

“Just having your license doesn’t guarantee success. Dentistry is hard work — like anything else, you can’t just show up and have your practice boom without putting in the effort,” Shores said.

Shores’ work ethic includes going above and beyond with CE. On a state level, he has improved access to education for Oklahoma dentists through his work as education chair for the Oklahoma AGD, for which he is president-elect.

“Dr. Coty Shores is a leader in continuing education, even at such a young age,” said Davis. “He set up the Oklahoma MasterTrack program and holds a young dentist conference each year. He is also the director of CE for the Dental Success Network. He diligently pursues dental learning for himself and others.”

Shores said one of his biggest accomplishments over the past decade was successfully starting a dental practice from scratch in a saturated area. The experience, he said, was an invaluable learning process. To future dentists hoping to establish a practice, his advice is to be picky with your team. 

“Having a great team makes a huge difference in your practice,” Shores said. “Your whole team works together to make your practice function.”

Looking ahead to the next 10 years, Shores hopes to expand to two practices and continue learning and lecturing on facial esthetics and implant procedures. He also aspires to volunteer for dental societies at the national level.

“My push is to get other dentists involved in dentistry and not just maintain the status quo,” Shores said. “I want myself and other dentists to continuously improve and become better.”