I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to run for the VDA President-Elect. As someone who was born and raised in Virginia and continues to live, serve, and practice in the Commonwealth, it has always been a personal and professional goal to lead Virginia’s organized dentistry into the future. My path to dentistry was not what most would consider conventional. As a first-generation college student in my family, I graduated from Virginia’s Hampden-Sydney College with a degree in Physics, hoping to pursue an engineering career. It wasn’t until I joined the local volunteer fire department and rescue squad that I realized my passion for serving others! So how does one combine a physics background's critical thinking and problem-solving skills with helping others in a professional healthcare setting? You apply to dental school, right?! Dentistry is small-scale engineering at its finest. Just think, we still get to build bridges and use drills each day! It was during Dental School that I realized the importance of organized dentistry. If we don’t advocate for ourselves, no one else will. After serving as class president during my four years of dental school, I entered an endodontic residency. Once I had completed a post-doctoral master’s degree and Certificate in Endodontics as chief resident, I moved back to my hometown of Lynchburg, where I continue to maintain a successful private practice that is both evidence-based and patient-focused.
We have all seen dentistry evolve over the years, especially through the challenges we faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will continue to navigate these waters together and come out stronger than ever.
As healthcare professionals, our number one goal should remain the same; to provide the highest level of care to our patients. Membership in the VDA is vital to see that our goal is not only met but exceeded, all while advocating for the DENTIST. In a world that is insurance-driven and with the push for mid-level providers, we need the VDA, now more than ever, to fight to ensure that our voice is heard, advocate so that we are appropriately compensated for our services, and see to it that we are not told how and when to practice by a corporate or government entity. We need to build on our positive reputation and increase our membership footprint because, after all, there is strength in numbers. I feel confident that I possess the passion, enthusiasm, and skill set needed to lead the VDA!
I have served in numerous local, state, and national leadership capacities. I was elected to the VDA Board of Directors, where I have continued to serve since 2016. I look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve you all and respectfully ask for your vote as the next President-Elect of the VDA!
Dr. Reynolds' CV