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Dr. Lauren Shanard - Contemporary Dental Arts

Dr. Lauren Shanard of Contemporary Dental Arts, P.C., in Williston, Vermont, discusses her background and education. She talks about why she is drawn to dentistry and the satisfaction she enjoys from helping her patients improve their self-confidence and self-esteem. Dr. Shanard spends 50-100 hours every year in continuing education so that she can provide her patients with the best possible care.

I've been practicing in the greater Burlington, Vermont area for 25 years, and I've so enjoyed servicing this community. I did my dental training at the University of Iowa, College of Dentistry. I also did my residency there. I moved to Vermont and I established my private practice in 1995 and I've enjoyed every moment practicing here.

I am an accredited member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. I serve the academy on the Board of Examiners and on the written examination committee. I am a past president of the New England Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and I'm currently on the Board of Directors. I'm also a member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Academy of implant Dentistry, and the Vermont State Dental Society.

The most satisfying thing about what I do is helping people with their self-confidence and their self-esteem. If I can help restore a smile, so someone can get a job or have more success in their personal relationship, I have a good day.

I chose dentistry as a profession probably because I was a dental hygienist before I became a dentist and I felt like I wanted to have a little bit more control over quality care the patients were receiving, so I made that next move.

When I'm not in my practice, I spend a lot of time at the gym. I enjoy a healthy lifestyle and I feel that it's important to portray that to my patients as well. I'm very, very proud of my son who just got accepted into college, and I spend a lot of time watching division two varsity hockey games, and in addition to that, I love skiing with my family in the snowy woods of Vermont, and that's what I do.

The thing that I would like people to know about me more than anything, is that I am an incredibly passionate person. I'm passionate about everything that I do. A second thing is that I spend a tremendous amount of time ... I'm actually a continuing education junkie. I spend probably between 50 and 100 hours every year, taking classes so that I can provide the best services for my patients, and I love doing it.