Meet Dr. Lauren Newton - Orthodontist in Decatur & Hartselle, AL
Dr. Lauren Newton is an orthodontist at Valley Orthodontics - and a proud Decatur native caring for smiles in the community where she grew up. She treats children, teens, and adults across Decatur and Hartselle, bringing a broad clinical background, meticulous attention to detail, and a warm, personal approach to every visit. For Dr. Lauren, practicing orthodontics in her hometown isn’t just a career; it’s a chance to give back to the North Alabama families she’s known her whole life.
Education & Training
| Stage | Institution | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| High School | Decatur High School | Decatur, AL |
| Undergraduate | Auburn University | Summa cum laude, Honors College; Phi Beta Kappa; Biomedical Sciences (Spanish minor) |
| Dental School | UAB School of Dentistry | Graduated in the top 5% of her class |
| General Practice Residency | University of Tennessee Medical Center, Knoxville | 2-year residency; Chief Resident |
| Orthodontics Residency | UAB | 2.5-year program; post-doctoral master’s in clinical dentistry |
Dr. Lauren’s training is as rigorous as it is broad. At Auburn University, she graduated summa cum laude from the Honors College, was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, and majored in Biomedical Sciences with a minor in Spanish. She then earned her dental degree at the UAB School of Dentistry, graduating in the top 5% of her class.
Before specializing, she completed a two-year General Practice Residency at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, where she served as Chief Resident and cared for patients in a public-health clinic serving an underserved area of Tennessee. She then completed a 2.5-year orthodontics residency at UAB, earning a post-doctoral master’s degree in clinical dentistry. That combination of hospital-based general training and focused orthodontic specialty education gives her an unusually well-rounded perspective on patient care.
Professional Memberships
- American Association of Orthodontists (AAO)
- Southern Association of Orthodontists (SAO)
- American Dental Association (ADA)
Dr. Lauren’s Approach to Care
Patients choose Dr. Lauren for her strong training, her attention to detail, and the genuine care she brings to every appointment. Her background in both general dentistry and orthodontics - including hospital and public-health settings - means she sees the whole picture of a patient’s oral health, not just their bite. She plans and monitors each case carefully for predictable, lasting results, and she takes the time to make sure patients and parents understand every step.
A Decatur Native, Close to Home
Dr. Lauren is originally from Decatur and is grateful to practice in her hometown, serving the community where she grew up. As someone who minored in Spanish, she’s especially glad to welcome and care for the area’s Spanish-speaking families. She married her husband, Nick, during her time in Knoxville; together they enjoy traveling, staying active outdoors, and spending time with their three pets. She’s thankful to live and work close to her family in North Alabama.
Schedule With Dr. Lauren
Want to meet Dr. Lauren and the Valley Orthodontics team? Your first visit is a free consultation - no cost, no obligation, just a friendly conversation about your smile.
Decatur Office - 2014 Danville Park Dr SW, Decatur, AL 35603 · (256) 355-5255 Hartselle Office - 220 Karl Prince Dr SW, Hartselle, AL 35640 · (256) 773-8613