About Dr. Anderson

Dr. Shanean Michelle Anderson founded Smile Sculptors of Wake Forest in January 2013, driven by her passion for dentistry and a deep belief that the patient always comes first. Her gentle nature and genuine care for people are evident from the moment patients meet her, making their first visit a comfortable and welcoming experience. One of Dr. Anderson’s earliest childhood memories is of her dental hygienist encouraging her to brush better, a lesson that stuck with her as she grew up in Edward, North Carolina, a small town by the Pamlico Sound. Her mother, a strong advocate for oral hygiene, ensured that Shanean and her two siblings never missed a preventive dental appointment. Their childhood dentist, who remains a family friend, passed his practice to his son after retiring.

As a teenager, Dr. Anderson had braces, acne, and large glasses. She vividly remembers the moment her braces were removed and how contact lenses became the trend among her peers. At her grandmother’s house, there was a large mirror at the end of a long hallway. After her braces came off, Dr. Anderson ran down the hall, stopped at the mirror, smiled, and admired her straight teeth for the first time. In that moment, she knew she wanted to be a dentist.

Graduating as a valedictorian from high school, Dr. Anderson initially planned to attend East Carolina University, which was close to home. However, her mother encouraged her to use her scholarships to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Although Dr. Anderson wasn’t initially thrilled about the idea, her mom’s gentle push was the catalyst she needed for success. Over time, UNC-Chapel Hill became a place where Dr. Anderson discovered her true potential, describing it as a “Disneyland of universities” where dreams could be realized and new passions were uncovered.

During her sophomore year, Dr. Anderson met a third-year dental student who offered valuable advice: dental hygienists often make the best dental school candidates because they’ve already mastered the hand skills needed for dentistry. Inspired by this, Dr. Anderson quickly registered for UNC’s dental hygiene program, completing her application in the parking lot on the final enrollment day. She also applied for a job as an assistant in the university’s Pediatric Dentistry Department and was accepted into both the dental hygiene program and the job. In 2003, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene and began working for a staffing agency while preparing to apply for dental school.

In 2005, Dr. Anderson was accepted into the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Dentistry with a full scholarship. She dedicated herself to providing dental care to underserved populations and volunteered to create mouthguards for young athletes. She earned her Doctorate in Dental Surgery in 2009 and worked with the Department of Veteran Affairs to gain specialized training in anesthesia, internal medicine, and surgery.

Dr. Anderson entered private practice in 2010 and became the president and owner of Smile Sculptors of Wake Forest in 2013. She is passionate about her relationships with patients, diagnosing, and treating their dental health needs. Dr. Anderson remains actively involved in her community, serving on free dental buses and participating in speaking engagements. She continually pursues continuing education in cosmetic and restorative practices, implantology, orthodontics, and periodontics.

Since 2021, with a focus on 3-D technology in dentistry, Dr. Anderson has completed hundreds of hours of training to incorporate this technology  into her overall patient treatment planning process.

Her 3-D technology specialty training has included  topics such as advanced bone grafting techniques, implants placement, tooth anesthetics, digital full arch dental implant therapy and comprehensive restorative care with a digital work flow.

Dr. Anderson has served on the Victorious Community Development Corporation,  Miller Mount Advisory Board, and  the Downtown Wake Forest Board of Directors, Inc.