Meet Dr. Payet

Smiles By Payet Dentistry

Hi, I’m Dr. Payet, and I’ve been a Charlotte dentist since 1998. I moved here after undergrad (Class of ‘94) and dental school at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Dentistry (Class of ‘98). While not a native Tar Heel, I have deep roots in the state: my mother grew up in Albemarle & attended UNC-Greensboro, my dad went to UNC Chapel Hill, and most of my family is in North Carolina. At heart, I am a true-blue Tar Heel!

Awards & Recognition

For over 25 years, Dr. Payet has dedicated himself to continual learning through Continuing Education. In that time, he’s completed well over 2,000 hours of advanced post-graduate coursework in nearly every dental discipline, including dental sleep medicine, Invisalign, cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry, lasers, surgery, dental microscopes, and more.

As a result of this dedication, Dr. Payet has earned multiple awards recognizing this commitment to growth and excellence: 

• Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry: This honor is only achieved by 6% of all general dentists in the USA and Canada. When you see a dentist with the FAGD distinction, rest assured that they care about caring for you with both the latest techniques, and the most time-tested treatments, available in dentistry today.
• Diplomate in the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine and Qualified Dentist in the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine. Diplomate status is earned after extensive study of sleep medicine and passing a rigorous exam; Dr. Payet is among the elite 0.3% of US dentists recognized as Diplomates.
• RipeGlobal Fellow: Dr. Payet is among a very small, exclusive group of dentists to complete every requirement in the 2-year, 400-hour RipeGlobal Fellowship in Restorative Dentistry and be recognized as a RipeGlobal Fellow. 

Being the Best Dentist He Can Be

Some may think it odd that Dr. Payet loves being a dentist, but even after more than 2 decades, he truly feels that way. Every day is different, every patient is unique, and there is ALWAYS more to learn. It’s challenging, exciting, and deeply satisfying for him to make a positive difference in people’s lives.

Passing on Knowledge and Experience

Besides being an eternal student, Dr. Payet enjoys sharing knowledge and teaching. He was asked to join an elite group of world-class dentists as Educators in the RipeGlobal Fellowship in Restorative Dentistry. In this intense 2-year post-graduate program (the largest of its kind in the world), Dr. Payet helps dentists in over 30 countries learn and master both fundamental and advanced skills, for the benefit of patients everywhere.

Dr. Payet

A Little Story About Why I Became a Dentist

A few years after opening my practice, I recorded this video, talking about how I chose dentistry as a career. My orthodontist during high school, Dr. Constance “Connie” Greeley, was a tremendous influence. I also got to talk about what I love most about being a dentist, and why it’s so rewarding. Nearly 30 years later, it still holds true. If only I still looked that young though!

I am fortunate and blessed to have three special women in my life: my wife Fara and our daughters, Natalie and Elizabeth, who keep us very busy. Add in our dogs Molly & Hershey, and we have a full home life.

Besides spending quality time with my family and taking care of you, I have several hobbies: photography, reading, learning to play piano again, Shaolin Kung Fu at The Peaceful Dragon, & cooking. I wish I had more time for ballroom dancing and singing.


As part of my continuing professional growth, I am currently a member of the following dental organizations:

• The Academy of General Dentistry
• The Academy of Microscope Enhanced Dentistry
• The Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
• The American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine 

Dr. Charles D. Payet: Owner

Meet Dr. Charles D. Payet

Owner, Master Clinician & Comprehensive Dentistry Specialist

At the clinical heart, visionary leadership, and patient care center of Smiles by Payet Dentistry is Owner and Lead Dentist Dr. Charles D. Payet, DDS, FAGD, FIALD, D.ABDSM. Serving individuals and families across Charlotte and the surrounding North Carolina communities, Dr. Payet brings over 25 years of continuous, high-level dental experience to his private practice. Established in December 1999, Smiles by Payet Dentistry reflects Dr. Payet's steadfast commitment to delivering advanced, compassionate, and micro-precision dental care using the latest technological innovations in modern dentistry.

Dr. Payet’s clinical expertise spans the full spectrum of comprehensive, cosmetic, and restorative dental medicine. His primary areas of technical focus include advanced general and cosmetic dentistry, dental implant placement and restoration, Invisalign clear aligner therapy, oral surgery, dental sleep medicine, and Laser Periodontal Surgery. Recognizing that dental visits can elicit anxiety for many patients, Dr. Payet combines state-of-the-art diagnostic technology with minimally invasive laser techniques to deliver gentle, comfortable, and highly predictable clinical outcomes.

Dr. Payet is a pioneer in laser dentistry, utilizing advanced laser technology to perform periodontal surgery, gum reshaping, and hard-tissue procedures with minimal bleeding, reduced swelling, and accelerated healing times compared to traditional scalpel methods. Whether restoring a fully functional smile with dental implants, correcting complex bite alignments with Invisalign, treating severe sleep apnea through custom oral appliance therapy, or crafting aesthetic porcelain veneers, Dr. Payet designs individualized treatment plans tailored to each patient's unique oral health goals.

Quarter-Century of Clinical Mastery, Elite Fellowships & Global Educator Status

Dr. Payet’s academic and professional background reflects an relentless pursuit of clinical excellence. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biology and German from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1994, followed by his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the prestigious UNC Chapel Hill School of Dentistry in 1998. Since completing his formal dental education, Dr. Payet has dedicated thousands of hours to advanced post-doctoral training, earning some of the highest honors and credentials achievable in the dental profession.

Dr. Payet holds prestigious post-graduate distinctions across multiple dental disciplines:

• Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD): A distinction achieved by less than 6% of general dentists in North America, requiring rigorous continuing education and a comprehensive exam spanning all disciplines of dentistry.

• Fellow in the Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry (IALD): Recognizing advanced proficiency and clinical mastery in laser periodontal therapy and advanced laser applications.

• Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine (D.ABDSM): The highest level of credentialing in dental sleep medicine, signifying expertise in treating obstructive sleep apnea and snoring with oral appliance therapy.

• RipeGlobal Fellow in Restorative Dentistry: Reflecting elite mastery in complex restorative, biomimetic, and aesthetic dental reconstruction.
  

In addition to treating patients at his Charlotte practice, Dr. Payet serves as a respected global dental educator. He is currently an Educator for the RipeGlobal Fellowship in Restorative Dentistry—a rigorous, 2-year international program where he teaches practicing dentists around the world both the core fundamentals and advanced clinical techniques of modern restorative dentistry. His role as an international mentor ensures that Dr. Payet remains at the absolute forefront of global dental research, materials science, and clinical innovation.

Photographer, Pianist, Martial Artist & Community Leader

Outside of his busy clinical practice and teaching commitments, Dr. Payet is a man of diverse artistic and physical passions. He is an avid fine-art photographer whose professional work can be viewed at CDPayetPhotography.com. His keen photographer's eye for lighting, symmetry, color shade matching, and fine detail directly enhances his cosmetic dental work, allowing him to design natural, gorgeous smile transformations that complement each patient's unique facial features.

Dr. Payet is also an accomplished pianist and a dedicated martial artist. The discipline, hand-eye coordination, fine motor dexterity, and focus required in both classical piano performance and martial arts practice translate directly to his delicate touch and precision control during complex dental surgeries. These personal interests highlight Dr. Payet’s lifelong dedication to mastery, balance, and artistic expression—qualities that define both his personal life and his dental practice.

Dr. Payet’s rare combination of 25-plus years of local practice ownership, elite Fellowships (FAGD, FIALD, D.ABDSM), global clinical educator status, and artistic precision makes Smiles by Payet Dentistry the premier destination for dental care in Charlotte, NC. When you choose Dr. Payet, you are partnering with a master clinician who is genuinely invested in your health, comfort, and long-term smile confidence.

Transform Your Smile with Charlotte’s Premier Dental Specialist

Restoring your oral health, replacing missing teeth with dental implants, treating gum disease with laser surgery, or achieving a clear Invisalign smile transformation requires the advanced fellowship training, global educator expertise, and 25-plus years of clinical mastery that Dr. Charles D. Payet delivers at Smiles by Payet Dentistry. Backed by FAGD, FIALD, and D.ABDSM credentials, state-of-the-art dental technology, and a warm, patient-centered philosophy, Dr. Payet provides exceptional care for your entire family.

Don't settle for routine, assembly-line dental care when you can receive treatment from a recognized global authority in restorative and laser dentistry. Partner with a dedicated local practitioner who combines fine-art precision with compassionate care. Contact Dr. Charles D. Payet and the team at Smiles by Payet Dentistry today to schedule your comprehensive consultation.