When Dr. Melvin Baker opened his practice in December 1976, his goal was to provide quality care. However, he accomplished much more: He made history. Baker became the first black dentist to practice in Newton County, a distinction in which he takes tremendous pride some 50 years later.
"People just need to see other people that look like them who are doing something," he said. "I wasn't able to see that when I was growing up. I didn't get to see any other black professionals. They need to know that there is something out there besides what's in this community, and they can have a share of it if they want to."
Starting his business amid the Civil Rights Movement, Baker never recalls experiencing any discrimination toward him or his practice. He did have to go to Atlanta to secure a bank loan to originally open the business. Newton County banks never approved a loan, but he could not definitively say whether or not those were discriminatory practices. It was an early hurdle Baker remembers having to clear at the time. Baker took great care to present a fair opportunity at his practice, serving an approximate 50/50 split between white and black customers. He also employed people of multiple races and cultures.
"People just need to see other people that look like them who are doing something." — Dr. Melvin Baker
Baker operated his private practice in Newton County—it was named Covington Family Dentistry—until he retired on Nov. 19, 2014. His life would have looked different had he chosen another path. While in college, all Baker knew for sure was that he wanted to own and operate his own business. He contemplated three choices: lawyer, doctor or dentist. He felt like being a lawyer required too much reading, something he did not enjoy; and, at the time, doctors were on call 24/7, which did not draw him to that profession. Baker took the dentistry route, graduating from the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta in September 1974. There, he earned a bachelor's degree in biology, along with a minor in chemistry. He practiced in the United States Navy for two years before returning home.
Throughout his four decades in dentistry, Baker had three different office locations in Covington. The first was in the building that sits beside Krystal on U.S. 278. His second location was situated next to what is now Piedmont Newton Hospital. The third stood across from McDonald's on U.S. 278. He owned the last two buildings, as well.
Returning home to Newton County—where he proudly proclaimed he was "born and raised"—was always part of Baker's plan. He felt comfortable coming back and working in the community because of many family and friends. In fact, Baker was intentional about taking his family-style connection to the area and applying it to his office. He believes that mission was accomplished.
"We were very much family-oriented," Baker said. "When people came in, they were coming to see family. We had clientele coming from all the surrounding counties: Fulton, DeKalb, Jasper, Walton, Butts. They passed a lot of dental offices to get to our offices. They did that because they felt comfortable there. They were coming to see family."
Baker not only took that approach concerning his patients but did so with his employees, too. He credits much of the success experienced through his practice to the people who worked there over the years. Baker recognized he could not have done it alone, always making it a point to say "we" when discussing his practice with others. Linda Eubanks grew up with Baker on Stone Mountain Street—they refer to it as "Short Street" because it ranks among the shortest streets in the county—and worked for "Dr. B" for 27 years. She served as Baker's assistant and front desk receptionist starting in 1989. Time and time again, Eubanks witnessed the family-style environment rise to the forefront.
"When I was assisting him, we had this one client who came in and his tooth got knocked out; and he needed his tooth the same day," Eubanks said. "Dr. Baker went in and we took something and made a tooth and made it happen for that person. That just was awesome to me. I was like, 'Wow.'"
Baker's passion for his hometown was also evident outside of his practice, as he was involved in various capacities. He served on the Newton Hospital Authority and the Head Start, the First National Bank and the Washington Street Community Center boards, along with being an Oxford city councilman. Baker has volunteered his time with Newton County Senior Services, while also staying active at St. Paul AME Church, where he has attended services his entire life. His efforts have not gone unnoticed.
“A lot of new businesspeople, a lot of politicians, come into the area [and] they want to speak to me and want to get my opinion and try to get my support," Baker said. "That tells me that I've probably done some things right.”
Located at 4168 Baker Street, Covington Family Dentistry remains open Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. According to its website, Dr. John Hendricks purchased the practice in 2012, and in late 2017, current owner Dr. Doreen C. Wilson seized the reins. Although Baker did not set out to become a historical figure, he certainly emerged as one. Other black dentists have opened and operated dental practices in Newton County in the years since, but he will always be the man who broke the barrier.
Five decades have passed since Baker etched his name in Newton County's history books. He views his choice to return home to work as a "great decision" and recognizes that his career could have gone in many different directions. Baker remains grateful that it played out the way it did. Even in his retirement, Baker aims to impact others. He wants younger generations to feel inspired and to realize the potential that lives inside them to accomplish their own hopes and dreams.
"They can do it, too," Baker said. "They can overcome whatever negative things they have in their life, whether it's a bad family situation or whatever. I'd like for them to know they can overcome those things if they just stay focused. I didn't consider myself really a very smart student, but the biggest thing was I was determined and I was focused."
Related Stories
Where the Clock Never Strikes Midnight
‘A Blessed Life’
