NORTH ADAMS -- Dr. Anna Marie Messenger knew from an early age that she wanted to enter the medical profession. But it wasn’t until applying for graduate school that she finally admitted she wanted to enter the field of dentistry.
Messenger, 25, joined her father, Dr. Gene Messenger, at the family practice, Messenger Digital Dentistry, 1111 S. State Road, on Monday. She graduated from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dentistry in May.
"I always loved science and new I wanted to do something in the medical field, but for a long time I was in denial about my passion for dentistry," she said Friday. "I think it had something to do with my dad. He has some pretty big shoes to fill."
A 2004 graduate of Drury High School, Messenger earned her bachelor’s degree from St. Michael’s College in Burlington, Vt., in 2008.
While applying to graduate school, she realized she wanted to pursue a career as a dentist.
"What I think it came down to was when I was writing out my personal statement, I had a really hard time writing one for anything else. When it came to dentistry, the statement just flowed and made more sense," Messenger said.
She added, "On the day I was accepted [to dental school] my father was very happy. He was a big mush on the phone."
While she grew up with a dentist for a father, she said her decision was based on the fact that she could help "take a person out of
"The causes are usually simple things that can be fixed easily," she said. "It’s not a life-or-death situation. I also like that fact that if a person doesn’t like their smile, I can help fix it and make them like it again."
Following her graduation in May, Messenger had to pass the state’s written and clinical exams before she could join her father at the S. State Road practice.
"It’s the perfect situation," she said. "I can do everything he does, but if I have a question about something, he’s right here for me. It’s like a mini-residency."
With just a week under her belt, Messenger feels she chose the right career path.
"It’s been good," she said. "It’s exciting and fun to see so many smiling faces. It’s a very happy environment."
For more information, visit www.reasons2smile.com.
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