After working with a friend’s dad in his dentist practice, Josh Robinson knew he wanted to do something in the medical field.

“I just saw how he had the ability to work with patients and I knew I wanted to do that,” Robinson said.

Robinson grew up in Jasper, Ala., to a third-generation railroad worker and a church hostess.

“My family was a working class family.”

But he knew he wanted more than his small town had to offer.

After graduating from Walker High School, Robinson went to Bevil State Community College. He then went to UAB, where he received his bachelor’s degree. He was still not done with college. He then went to the University of Alabama School of Dentistry. He did his residency at the Veterans Administration in Tuscaloosa. Robinson then decided to continue his education at Indian University where he received his master’s degree in endodontics, or a root canal specialist. After 11 years if school, he was finally done and ready to open his own practice.

That day came in August 2008, when Robinson opened Cullman Endodontics P.C.

While at UAB, Robinson meet Paula Crawford. She was in the optometry program.

“We had some classes together,” he said. “Toward the end of school I finally asked her out.

The two were married Nov. 6, 2004. While he was still in school at IU, Paula worked full time to support the couple.

“She put me through school. If it wasn’t for Paula working full time, we wouldn’t have made it. She did many sacrifices for me. I wouldn’t be an endodotist without her.”

During their time in Indiana, their first daughter, Sadie, was born. The couple is expecting their second daughter this summer.

When it came time to find somewhere to practice, Robinson and his wife chose Cullman. They were brought here for many reasons.

“I remember coming to Cullman when I was young and going to the All Steak with my family and coming here to go shopping.”

He knew it was a quiet, safe town, somewhere to raise a family. He also knew there was not yet an endodontist practicing in Cullman.

“The potential for growth really brought us here, there wasn’t another endodontist. Once we got here, we saw it was such a good place to raise a family. It’s got the small town feel, but also the potential for growth.”

Robinson enjoys the interaction with his patients and the immediate help he can give them.

“They come in with pain and in one visit I can take care of their pain,” he said. “I enjoy talking with patients and showing a good bedside manner, which is what got me into dentistry, after seeing some of my mentors.”

With so much advanced technology in the field of dentistry, Robinson said he can do so much more with work that’s less invasive.

“There’s been so many advances in the field. I work with a microscope. It’s a lot easier experience for patients now. There’s just so much technology.”

In his free time, Robinson spends much of his time hunting and fishing. He grew up hunting and fishing with both his grandfathers.

“My whole family would do big hunting trips together. I’ve been very fortunate to have a big family to have good fellowship with.”

Robinson said the dental community welcomed him and his family into Cullman.

“The medical community and dental community are great in Cullman,” he said. “They are such a good group of people; they have really gone out of their way to welcome us.”

Robinson said he balances family life and a career. His wife made it clear she wanted to be a mom, first, then an optometrist.

“Paula doesn’t work full time, so we balance things,” he said. “We help each other and meet in the middle and do the best we can.”

To ensure their have quality time together, the couple has a date night once a week.

Sometimes we go out nice, or sometimes it’s just something around town that’s simple,” he said. “We are fortunate with a good church life and we have a great sitter and we couldn’t do it without her.”

The Robinsons joined First Baptist Church of Cullman and Josh is now involved in Rotary Club.

“People were so welcoming,” he said. “Moving into a new community and not knowing anyone, but we met so many people that welcomed us.”