Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Ply.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I grew up in Myrtle Beach, where sports played a big role in my life. After college, I had the unique opportunity to play professional basketball in England for a year, an experience that broadened my perspective.
I later attended dental school in Charleston, where I met my wife, Karen, a pediatric dentist. We started our family, now with three children, and made the move to Beaufort 3 years ago. We were drawn to the community and the opportunity to build practices that felt personal, thoughtful, and different.
That vision ultimately became Swish Orthodontics and Zest Pediatric Dentistry, practices rooted in relationships, long-term health, and caring for families in a special way.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
There have been plenty of ups and downs along the way. We’ve been incredibly fortunate to have supportive friends and family, which made a huge difference, but opening a dental practice from the ground up while raising two young children under the age of two was extremely challenging. There was a period where I was commuting for work while we were trying to build the practice.
Looking back, we wouldn’t change any of it. The difficult moments came with invaluable lessons, and they’ve made both our family and our practices stronger.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Zest Pediatric Dentistry and Swish Orthodontics were built around a shared philosophy, that people deserve thoughtful, proactive care in an environment that feels calm, personal, and genuinely welcoming. While the two practices focus on different stages of care, they work closely together to support long-term oral health, development, and confidence from early childhood through adolescence and adulthood.
Zest Pediatric Dentistry is known for creating positive first experiences- reducing fear, building trust, and emphasizing prevention and education. The focus is on helping children feel comfortable and empowered while guiding families through each stage of growth with clarity and compassion.
Swish Orthodontics specializes in individualized orthodontic care with a strong emphasis on growth, function, and long-term stability. Rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach, every treatment plan is tailored to the patient’s development, habits, and overall health. We are especially known for our attention to airway health, bite function, and thoughtful timing of treatment.
What truly sets both practices apart is the experience. From the way patients are greeted, to how treatment plans are explained, to how closely we coordinate care, everything is designed to feel intentional rather than rushed. We’ve been very mindful about building systems that prioritize people over volume.
Brand-wise, what we’re most proud of is trust and communication. Families come to us because they feel known and cared for. For us, success isn’t measured by how big we are, but by how consistently we deliver an experience that feels different in the best possible way.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to us is people- our team, and the families who trust us with their care. At the end of the day, everything we’re building only works if the people behind it feel supported and valued.
That’s why we’ve been intentional about creating practices where relationships are prioritized- those with patients, with parents, and within our own team. When people feel cared for and respected, everything else follows: better outcomes, better experiences, and a stronger sense of purpose.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://swishortho.com and http://zestpd.com
- Instagram: @zestpediatricdentistry @wishorthodontics
