Why He Was Nominated

Dr. Knowlton’s office is described as a “fine-tuned machine” with an industrious staff. Having lost a staffer to cancer, Dr. Knowlton’s team now holds frequent fundraisers to help fight the disease.

Inspiration

Dr. Knowlton logged hours in a chair as a teen after a skiing accident knocked out his front teeth. “I thought my social life was over,” he says. “What a relief to look in the mirror and see a full smile.” The experience nudged him toward dentistry — and makes him more sympathetic toward his patients.

Tool He Can't Live Without

His assistants. “If I’m not connecting with someone at a high level,” he says, “they’re able to fill in the gaps.”

Advice For Aspiring Dentists

Don’t be afraid to hang your own shingle somewhere. “Start small and build,” says Dr. Knowlton, who was an associate for four years before buying half the practice. “If you’re good to people, you’ll be successful.”