Editorial Advisory Board member since October 2020
- Who/what has inspired you in your career?
One of my mentors in the Air Force was an excellent prosthodontist – Dr. Trebilcock. He taught me to take my blinders off when working with patients and look at the bigger picture. He is an amazing clinician who helped me hone my hand skills and grow my ability to take on more complex cases. He inspired me to know the why behind what I was doing and the materials I was using. Thanks to him, I am excited to be doing more complex dentistry and passionate about continually striving to be a better clinician.
- What has been the greatest challenge in your career?
As a relatively new dentist practicing for the last five years, my challenge has been to try to refine my skills while staying current with new innovations in dentistry. The amount of new information out there can be overwhelming. It is easy to stick to what is comfortable and difficult to prioritize and invest in the areas in which you want to grow. However, it’s when we stretch a little further and put in the extra reps that we see growth.
- What’s been the most memorable moment?
Up to now, it has been my wedding day. It was a perfect Fall day in Green Bay when I got to start the next chapter with the love of my life! We are expecting our first child any day, so by the time this is published, my answer will definitely include the birth of our new little one!
- How do you spend your free time?
I enjoy getting outside anytime I can. Getting on the water in the summer, and playing in the snow in the winter. My wife and I have joined the CrossFit One Shot gym. This life gives us only one shot, so make it count! I also love to make coffee at home – French Press or Chemex pour-over are my two specialties.
- What’s one thing others would be surprised to know about you?
One of my hobbies is refinishing furniture. I love to take an old run down piece and strip it down, shine it up and repurpose it. I recently refinished on old dresser for our nursery!
- What would be your dream job if you weren’t a dentist?
I think it would be a blast to be the Mickey Mouse mascot at Walt Disney World! Every day is a celebration, you get to make everyone’s day, and who wouldn’t like to live in Orlando?
- What advice would you give to new graduate dentists?
Get a mentor, learn, read and do! Coming out of dental school gives you a great foundation of dentistry, but you have to keep building. If you have an opportunity to get further training with a residency or specialty, do it! I think a mentor is invaluable to help provide advice and encouragement along the way. Find someone who you respect their dentistry, leadership, or achievements and ask to spend some time with them. Be committed to being a continual learner, then put into practice what you have learned. Lastly, in your early years, do as many different procedures you can and then find your niche.
- What are your hopes for the future of dentistry?
I hope that the field of dentistry will continue to innovate by incorporating the digital workflow. That said, I hope to still see dentists being actively involved as the leading clinician and not letting the computer do the thinking for us.
