Why He Was Nominated:

A self-described “purveyor of responsible cosmetic dental care,” Dr. Baliwas (who can also be found on Instagram sporting the cheeky handle @sfdentalnerd) has been one of the lead organizers of the Dental Influencers Alliance (influencedentistry.com). That gathering, whose third meeting will be held this December in Atlanta, works to leverage the possibilities of social media to connect dental professionals of all kinds. “It’s amazing to see everyone who had been growing their social-media relationships online for years come together and connect face to face,” he says.

Tool He Can’t Live Without:

Social media, naturally. “I could not care less about the vanity metrics of likes and follows, or the “instafame” that comes with having a popular social-media page,” Dr. Baliwas says. “What I am thankful for are the connections I’ve made through the platform.”

Favorite Aspect of Dental Social Media:

“Learning from mentors, meeting new clinicians and colleagues, reconnecting with old classmates, sharing learning opportunities and helping others develop these types of connections for themselves.”

Something People Don’t Know:

Dr. Baliwas’s French bulldog, Xylocaine (a.k.a. “Xylo”), has nearly 900 followers on Instagram (@sfdentaldog), offering “a little canine guidance to get you through your day.” Says Dr. Baliwas: “She comes to the office with me every day. Some patients get really upset if she’s not in the office during their visit.”