RUSTON, La. — When Kelsey Stanley, a dental assistant with two decades at Ruston Smiles, first learned that new owner Trey Hanna had a military background, she feared a strict, drill-sergeant style of leadership.
“I thought, ‘Oh man. He is going to make us drop and give him 20 pushups,’” Stanley said. But those fears quickly proved unfounded.
Since acquiring the practice in 2022, Hanna, 34, has preserved the faith-driven, compassionate culture established by former owner John Ward. The staff and patients have noticed little change in the welcoming atmosphere.
Hanna, a father of three from Meraux in St. Bernard Parish, credits his life path to what he calls “God things,” including his relocation to Lincoln Parish following Hurricane Katrina. His family evacuated north in 2005, ultimately settling in Ruston, where his father continued working as an insurance adjuster.
After graduating from Ruston High School in 2009, Hanna earned a chemistry degree from Louisiana Tech University, where he first shadowed Ward and decided to pursue dentistry. He joined the Army Reserves during dental school and later served five years in active duty, including assignments with the 82nd Airborne Division and deployments to Baghdad and Afghanistan.
“Nobody had a cooler job than me in the Army,” Hanna said, describing his work as a military dentist and instructor for special operations medics.
Following his military service, Hanna returned to Ruston with plans to stay close to family. A dinner with Ward led to a surprising conversation: Hanna expressed interest in eventually purchasing the practice. Within months, Ward received an unexpected call to teach at LSU Dental School, paving the way for Hanna’s acquisition.
Ward said he is proud of Hanna’s transition from military service to civilian dentistry. “It’s been interesting to watch him grow into a clinician who has so much to offer a small town like Ruston,” Ward said.
Staff members say Hanna’s leadership mirrors Ward’s, emphasizing patient care and employee respect. Prayer remains a part of the daily routine, and Hanna continues to prioritize a supportive, faith-based work environment.
Outside the office, Hanna is an avid drummer, musician, and chef. He learned drumming from his grandfather and cooking from his grandmother, specializing in New Orleans-style dishes like gumbo. Hanna also maintains an active lifestyle through CrossFit and upcoming Hyrox competitions, a combination of running and functional fitness events.
Ruston Smiles, located at 106 East Mississippi Avenue, offers advanced dental services including 3D-printed dentures and night guards, dental implants, 3D X-rays, root canals, cosmetic bonding, sedation dentistry, and platelet-rich plasma procedures to enhance healing and prevent infection.