Why He Was Nominated

Dr. Smith is known for mastering new equipment before most of his colleagues even know it exists.

Inspiration

“It’s genetic.” His father is a dentist and his mother is an RDH. Dr. Smith considers himself a teacher first: “I like for the patient to learn about what we’re doing, so they know it’s right for them.”

Tool He Can't Live Without

Leatherman pocket knife. “You can extract with it, carve amalgam, even open a pop bottle.”

Something People Don't Know

Asked his orthodontist to save his diastima — so he wouldn’t lose the ability to shoot water 25 feet from his mouth. “That’s something not even my Leatherman can do,” he jokes.