Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Tatum Louie.
Hi Dr. Tatum, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was born and raised on a farm in the small town of Lone Oak, Texas. I ventured into the big city for my education at UT Dallas where I fell in love with science, art, and my wonderful husband, Terry. During my time at Texas A&M College of Dentistry, I discovered my passion for helping patients overcome dental anxiety. After earning my doctorate, Terry and I moved to Houston where I began seeing patients as an associate dentist and we started our family with two beautiful children – Tatiana (4) and Tucker (2). After being a patient who personally experienced multiple rushed ultrasounds and had questions dismissed in sterile OB clinics, I was inspired to redefine what care could feel like in dentistry, ultimately bringing Soothe Smile Studio to life. We opened our doors in the summer of 2025 and haven’t looked back since!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road up to this point was not always a clear path. I encountered hurdles and difficult decisions – both personally and professionally. After dental school and investing almost a decade into my advanced education, my focus shifted to building our family, so this dream of owning a practice sat on the back burner for years, but it was a sacrifice that I was more than happy to make. As Tatiana got older, I kept going back to this lofty aspiration of entrepreneurship, and despite Terry’s support, it just never felt like the right time for our family. Eventually, I realized there will literally never be a “right time”, so motivated by pregnancy hormones and a little sleep deprivation, I decided to just go for it! Between breastfeeding and changing diapers, I spent my second maternity leave planning, designing and negotiating for my business. During the 18 month process, which continued well after I returned full time to my associate position, there were countless meetings on real estate, leases, financing, permits, equipment, supplies, finishes, systems, staffing and more, which all came with their own challenges and delays. We learned to roll with the punches, problem solve with a cup of coffee, and keep moving forward!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Soothe Smile Studio?
Soothe Smile Studio is a woman-owned boutique dental experience designed to feel less like an appointment and more like a pause in your day. Our studio blends modern dentistry with a spa-like atmosphere that helps you reconnect with your smile in total comfort right here in Cypress, TX. We offer a comfort menu with sparkling water, coffee, tea, pillows, blankets, noise cancelling headphones, TVs on the ceiling, and more. Everything we do is intentional, modern, and designed to make patients feel cared for. At Soothe, we can address your entire oral healthcare needs from cleanings, comprehensive exams and oral cancer screenings to treatment like fillings, crowns, extractions, dentures and cosmetics such as whitening and veneers. We strive to keep our financial policies fair and transparent with open communication. We also believe in a partnership when it comes to treatment options based on your personal goals and concerns as use photos and 3D scans to help show patients what we’re seeing so we’re all on the same page. I built this practice around the kind of experience I’d want for my own family – calm, compassionate, and completely personal. Here at Soothe, I practice the type of dentistry that I can be proud of.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Seeing the transformation in my patients is what brings me the most joy. Many walk in feeling anxious about the dentist or self-conscious about their smiles, but they leave with confidence and genuine happiness. Creating smiles that are both functional and beautiful can truly change how someone feels about themselves and being part of that journey is incredibly rewarding. It’s a reminder, even on the toughest days, that I’m making a meaningful difference in my patients’ lives.
Outside of the office, I recharge by country dancing with my husband, swimming with my children, or playing Mahjong with my girlfriends.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.soothesmilestudio.com
- Instagram: @soothesmilestudio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1822ciAFXU/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: TikTok: @soothesmilestudio
Image Credits
Claire Thom Photography
