Sydnee Chavis, DMD, MS, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, shares a story about growing up with her older sister, Brandi, who has cerebral palsy and developmental disabilities, and how she didn’t perceive her as different until the family was out to dinner one night.Dr. Chavis has been a faculty member at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry since 2017. Her clinical interests include providing accessible dental care for patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as medically necessary dental treatment for patients with medical complexities such as organ transplantation and cancer.She is engaged with teaching dental students, residents, and practicing dentists on how to provide comprehensive dental care for complex patients, as well as methods of empowering and enabling dentists to provide dental treatments for patients with disabilities, special needs, and medical complexities. Chavis also is actively engaged in clinical and translational research to improve methods of dental care, access to care, and oral health outcomes for patients with disabilities and medical complexities.