Meet Dr. David Porter
Since Dr. David Porter’s introduction to total health dentistry several years ago, he has devoted hundreds of hours every year in continuing education so he can offer his patients the latest total health treatments. He is committed to helping guide his patients on a journey to improved health. He is the first (and in some cases, the only) doctor in Wyoming to offer many treatments:
Doctor David Porter on why he loves being a dentist and his commitment to education
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Well, what initially appealed to me about dentistry was three things. I wanted to run my own business. I like working with my hands, and I enjoy working with the public and helping people. So, that's what inspired me initially to get into dentistry.
And then this evolution has taken place over 11 years of practice, to where I've really understood what it means to really help somebody. And so when you can help somebody in a way to where they have the confidence to smile, to where maybe a little boy doesn't have to take his allergy shots anymore, when you can collaborate with other health care professionals, and a little girl that doesn't have to take her seizure medication anymore. Those are just profound things that impact you in a way that to motivate you to do that for other people.
And so, that's really what inspires me today to continue to practice dentistry. That's why I love coming to work. It's because you're trying to do something that's bigger than ourselves, that's beyond ourselves.
I really enjoy continuing education. It has allowed me to really help people, and that's why I enjoy it. I continually average around 200 hours of continuing education a year, so that equates to about me being away from my practice and my family about a month total every year. I don't enjoy the traveling, and I don't enjoy the time away from family, but every time I do go, I enjoy being there.
I enjoy learning and all these things I'm able to bring back to my community to really help people, and that's what motivates me to continue to do it, is that I'm taking these classes that really have an impact on somebody's overall health, their total health, their total well-being. And I'm able to bring this back and implement this, and see the impact and change that it's having in people's lives. Once you kind of start doing that, it's really difficult to stop, and I don't have any intention on stopping any time soon.
- First and only board-certified naturopathic physician
- First graduate of the American College of Integrative Medicine and Dentistry
- First and only to be certified by the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) in SMART protocol for removing amalgam fillings
- First myofunctional therapist
- First and only to do a residency for the Advanced Lightwire Functional Appliance (ALF)
- First and only to do a residency in Buteyko breathing technique
- First and only provider of orthotropics
- First and only TruDenta® provider
- First and only to offer Crozat method of orthodontics and to receive special training on it from the American Academy of Gnathologic Orthopedics
Dr. Porter has studied with doctors who are world renowned in their respective fields. These include Dr. David Hornbrook of the Hornbrook Center for Dentistry, Dr. John Nosti and Dr. Mike Smith from the Clinical Mastery Series, Dr. Mark Montgomery in TMJ and migraine therapy, Dr. Bill Hang in orthodontics and orthotropics, and Joy Moeller, RDH in the field of myofunctional therapy.
Dr. Porter has also obtained advanced education from the Academy of Laser Dentistry and training in implant dentistry from the WhiteCap Institute. He continues to involve himself greatly in the dental community, taking advanced training courses and lecturing to other doctors at national meetings and workshops.
A native of Newcastle, WY, he was a high school athlete, participating in football, baseball, and wrestling. He also played baseball in college, where he met his wife, Afton. After marriage, he worked in mining for three years in Nevada and Wyoming, saving to return to school in Lincoln, NE. He graduated in 2007 from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Upon graduation, the school asked him to work for them until his Wyoming dental license was awarded.
He was thrilled to return to his home state after earning his DDS. He believes in Gillette and considers it a blessing that he is able to be a part of such a wonderful community. He has seen firsthand how people there give their time and energy to many worthy causes. Dr. Porter feels just as strongly about giving back to the community. He has been a part of multiple dental days where he’s given free dental services for people in the community. He also supports other great causes, including local youth programs in everything from intramural sports to junior and high school football, wrestling, and baseball.
Dr. Porter has been married to Afton for more than 20 years. They have six beautiful children. Dr. Porter is an integral part of their lives and stays involved in the many activities they participate in. He and Afton often attend their children’s sporting events. When Dr. Porter and his family do have spare time, they like traveling to the Black Hills and enjoying the many activities the Hills have to offer.
