There is nothing more beautiful than a smile especially when you were the one who gave them the confidence to smile so bright. Dr. Moody knows that feeling well.
For almost 60 years, the Drs. Alexander Orthodontics has called Arlington home. It all started with a list of up and coming Texas cities in the 60s and after a few interviews with each town’s preacher, Chamber and Dentist, Dr. Wick Alexander and his wife, Janna, chose to begin their practice in Arlington, Texas.
Coming from humble beginnings by officing in Dr. B.J. Fuller’s dental office, Alexander soon found success and opened his own practice in 1964. Arlington lore says that Alexander chose the office location based on a promise that Mitchell Street would eventually be paved. That promise was kept as Mitchell Street now allows for people to easily drive or walk to businesses located on the street, as many people who work, live or play in Arlington know.
Prior to opening his own practice, Dr. Alexander and Janna had three children, two of them following in his orthodontist path. After finishing college at Texas Tech in 1986, one of Alexander’s sons, now known as Dr. Moody came back to Arlington to begin working with his dad. Moody had a brief stint in Campus Ministry but soon realized his passion for “making generations smile” just like his father did. Moody’s natural gift to learn and the many years of watching multiple family members in the field, reminded him just how much he wanted to continue the family legacy while also fulfilling his need to help the community and impact lives.
Moody, his wife, Emily, and their seven children love calling Arlington home. Moody cares so much about the community that he ended up as President of the Downtown Arlington Management Corporation Board in the early 2000s. One of the biggest projects that he got to see come to fruition was bringing the Levitt Pavilion to the Downtown Arlington area. He saw the Levitt Pavilion grow from just an idea to an entire movement for Arlington that allows our diverse community to come together in one place and just enjoy each other’s company and some amazing music and food.
When asked about any struggles the practice has had over the years, Moody said, “Luckily, we are in a field that most people need. Parents are willing to do anything for their children and that has really helped us stay afloat in the changing economies.” This does not mean they have not had their fair share of struggles. In the 90s, the Arlington community was changing so the practice had to change with the times. They changed their marketing plan and have stuck with it ever since. If you flip through their social media channels, you will find that they are a community and people-centered business. Their customers are like family.
Learning to pivot in changing times is truly one of the keys to business success, but Dr. Moody believes that, “a feel-good experience, an excellent product and connecting on a personal level,” are some of the strongest reasons why the practice has been so successful for almost 60 years.
Dr. Moody is now the owner of the practice as his father passed just last year. Dr. Wick Alexander will be remembered for his world-renowned orthodontics and his community focus. Moody will continue on his father’s legacy for as long as he can. While reflecting on the future of the practice, Moody used a quote by Isaac Newton, “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”
At the Chamber, we want to thank Dr. Wick Alexander and Dr. Moody Alexander for their community efforts over these 60 years and for their continued support of the Chamber over the last 58 years. The beauty of connecting with the community is seeing all of your efforts and the support come back full circle. Drs. Alexander Orthodontics has enveloped Arlington with open arms and thus the community has opened their arms even bigger.
Written by Makayla Reed