David Verhine, DMD, is looking forward to advancing his skills as a dentist while being able to serve his fellow veterans through oral health care after graduation.
Photography: Mary SimsAfter being retired from the United States Marine Corps following 11 years of service as a naval aviator, David Verhine, DMD, decided he wanted to pursue a career in dentistry. Last weekend, Verhine’s goal of becoming a dentist became a reality as he officially graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry.
“My childhood dentist was excellent, and I think that’s when I first appreciated dentistry; but I never envisioned pursuing a dental career until it became evident that I would be retired from the Marine Corps,” Verhine said. “I knew I wanted to continue to work with a team, sort of like the pilot and co-pilot dynamic, use critical thinking skills, work with my hands and choose a career with a good work-life balance.”
After evaluating employment opportunities, Verhine learned about the Veteran Readiness and Employment services available to him. These services provided through the program include job training, education, employment accommodations, resume development and job seeking skills. He decided that dentistry was the route he wanted to pursue.
Verhine is a first-generation college graduate and initially received a degree in geology. Before applying for dental school, he pursued a second undergraduate degree in biology to satisfy any pre-requisites for dental school and to condition himself to get back into a rigorous learning environment. Verhine says he worked hard to keep his grades up, worked for the biology department and volunteered around the city to ensure he was a well-rounded applicant for dental school.
“It all paid off when I was offered an interview on Sept. 11, 2019, which was 18 years later to the day that I decided I wanted to join the military,” Verhine said. “In December, I got the call and was offered a chance to attend UAB SOD, and the rest is history.”
Verhine says his military experience prepared him to become a DMD candidate. He says the military taught him that attention to detail is crucial for success and that sometimes an individual must find innovative ways to accomplish the mission.
David Verhine, DMD, at his commencement hooding.
Photography: Mary Sims“I found this tenet to hold true for dentistry as well, since it is a profession where meticulous attention to detail is required to treat our patients holistically,” Verhine said. “One of my commanding officers urged me and our squadron to be ‘brilliant in the basics’ and to ‘bloom where you are planted.’ I’ve used those tenets as a mantra over the last seven years, and it has served me well.”
Verhine graduated from UAB SOD on June 1. He will now complete a one-year Veterans Administration Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency Program. Verhine is looking forward to advancing his skills as a dentist while being able to serve his fellow veterans through oral health care.
“In the future, I hope to use my own story as a servicemember who was medically retired after nearly 11 years facing an imminent career change,” Verhine said. “I hope to inspire other servicemembers and disabled veterans to not only pursue their dreams but also be aware of the educational benefits they have earned, learn how to apply for and utilize those benefits, and learn how to transition from the warrior culture to productive civilian life.”
Following residency, Verhine is interested in remaining in the Birmingham metro area. He would like to pursue implant and restorative dentistry with a focus on aesthetic dentistry.