Dr. Austin Keaster grew up in Nashville, Ark., a Friday Night Lights like town of about 5,000 people. It was there that he developed close ties with an inspiring hometown dentist and developed the determination and skills that would one day lead him to glory – as the reigning champion of Dental Depot’s Doctor’s Fantasy Football League.
(Okay, so maybe it’s not exactly what his parents had in mind, but it’s a pretty cool trophy nonetheless.)
Fantasy football skills aside, it is Dr. Keaster’s big heart and helping hands that have earned him the love and respect of both his patients and colleagues. Even as we sat down to get to know Dr. Keaster a bit more, our clinical support team couldn’t help but chime in with the various reasons they love having him on the Dental Depot team!
“Dr. Keaster is awesome!” said Tara Hill, director of clinical support. “He’s always willing to help, no matter the task at hand.”
“Nothing is beneath him. He helps with everything – building carts, cleaning operatories between patients – everything,” echoed Karissa Bowers, clinical support assistant. “And Dr. Keaster’s positive attitude is contagious!”
Lucky for us and the people of Oklahoma City, Dr. Keaster says he and his wife – a nurse practitioner at the heart hospital – are excited to call Oklahoma City their new home.
“My original plan was to move back to Arkansas after a few years, but we’ve made the decision to stay here. We like the atmosphere, it’s a laid-back lifestyle,” said Dr. Keaster. “We just had a baby and bought a house. It’s a whole new world!”
Getting Started in Dentistry and with Dental Depot
A member of his high school’s state championship golf team and undergraduate Dean’s List scholar, Dr. Keaster was originally headed for medical school. Then, he said, during his third year of college he switched gears toward dentistry, and he cited, the more flexible schedule of dentistry as a “big draw” toward the profession.
Dr. Keaster was a fourth-year dental student at the University of Oklahoma, School of Dentistry when his friend and fellow Depot dentist, Dr. Salous, introduced him to Dental Depot.
After graduating dental school, Dr. Keaster joined Dental Depot and spent countless hours soaking up on-the-job training from Dr. Glenn Ashmore, Dental Depot’s founder, and Dr. Jay Case, who had a combined 65 years of advice to share.
“It was a lot of experience really quick,” Dr. Keaster admits. “I thought about getting an advanced degree in general dentistry, but in one year of working with Dental Depot, I’ve gotten to do 10 times as much dentistry! I did 1,300 extractions in my first year! I love it!”
“I can see the potential here,” Dr. Keaster continued, discussing our new West OKC Family Dentistry and Implant Center where he now serves as the primary general dentist alongside our oral surgery and implant team. “– the way the office is laid out, with oral surgery and pedo (pediatrics) being here – this place has a lot of potential.”
“Honestly, I just can’t see myself doing anything else, except maybe professional golfing,” he joked. “I don’t think I would pick anything different.”
