Honoring Service, Sacrifice, and Commitment
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, we proudly recognize the men and women who have dedicated themselves to serving our nation. This month, we are honored to spotlight Dr. Ryan Baker, a Board-Certified Orthodontist at True Smile Orthodontics, Air National Guard officer, husband, and father of four. Dr. Baker’s commitment to service extends beyond his profession and into more than 16 years of military service. His story reflects the values of duty, leadership, patriotism, and sacrifice that are shared by countless veterans, active-duty service members, and military families across our country. We thank Dr. Baker and all who have served for their unwavering dedication to protecting the freedoms we celebrate today.
Military Service Spotlight: Dr. Ryan Baker
Q: You served four years on Active Duty in the United States Air Force and continue your service today in the Air National Guard. What initially inspired you to join the military, and what has motivated you to continue serving?
Dr. Baker: My desire to serve in the military began at a young age. I was active in Scouting for many years and eventually earned the rank of Eagle Scout. The experiences and values I gained through Scouting—including service, leadership, citizenship, and love of country—helped inspire me to pursue military service.
I was also influenced by my family’s military history. My father served during the Vietnam War, and both of my grandparents served during World War II. Growing up with that legacy gave me a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made by those who came before me and a desire to contribute in my own unique way.
What has motivated me to continue serving is the opportunity to use my skills as a dentist to care for our service members and help ensure they are ready to accomplish their mission.
After more than 16 years of service, I still find it rewarding to serve my community, state, and country.
Q: As both a military dentist and a practicing orthodontist at True Smile Orthodontics, how has your military experience influenced the way you care for and serve your patients?
Dr. Baker: My military experience has had a significant influence on the way I care for patients today as a Board-Certified Orthodontist at True Smile Orthodontics. Early in my military career, I completed a one-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency, where I received extensive training in all the major dental specialties and learned advanced treatment techniques beyond what is typically taught in dental school.
I then spent the next three years providing comprehensive dental care to Airmen and their family members. That experience gave me a broader understanding of overall dental health and the challenges patients with complex dental needs can face.
As an orthodontist, that background helps me look beyond simply straightening teeth. It allows me to work closely with general dentists and dental specialists to develop comprehensive treatment plans and provide the best possible care for patients with more complex dental conditions.
Q: What has been the most meaningful or impactful lesson you’ve learned during your years of military service?
Dr. Baker: One of the most meaningful lessons I learned during my military service came while I was stationed in Japan and deployed on a humanitarian mission to Sri Lanka. I had the opportunity to work alongside healthcare providers from several different countries, providing free medical and dental care to people living in remote villages in the northern part of the country.
That experience showed me how people from different cultures, backgrounds, and nations can come together as a unified team to accomplish something greater than any one person could achieve alone.
The experience reinforced my belief that service to others is one of the most fulfilling and meaningful things we can do, and it remains one of the lessons from military service that has stayed with me throughout my life.
Q: Many people may not realize the important role dentists and healthcare professionals play in military readiness. Can you share a little about your responsibilities and how your work supports our service members?
Dr. Baker: In my current role as Chief Dentist on base, I am responsible for ensuring that the dental health of more than 1,000 reservists does not compromise their ability to serve wherever they may be deployed around the world.
My primary responsibility is evaluating the dental readiness of our members and identifying conditions that could become serious problems during a deployment. A toothache, dental infection, or other untreated dental issue may seem minor at home, but in a deployed environment it can affect a service member’s ability to focus on the mission or even require evacuation for treatment.
One phrase we often use in military dentistry is, “No bite, no fight!” While it may sound simple, it captures an important reality: service members must be healthy and free from preventable dental problems in order to perform at their best.
Q: What is something you wish civilians better understood about members of the Air National Guard and Reserves and the commitment they make to serving our country while balancing careers and family life?
Dr. Baker: What has always impressed me most is the dedication of the people I serve alongside. They don’t serve for recognition. They serve because they believe in contributing to something larger than themselves and in being ready when their community, state, or country needs them.
The Air National Guard and Reserves are made up of ordinary citizens who lead ordinary lives, but who make an extraordinary commitment to serve. I believe that willingness to answer the call while balancing family, career, and military responsibilities is something truly unique and worthy of respect.
Q: As we celebrate Independence Day and America’s 250th anniversary, what do service, patriotism, and freedom mean to you and your family today?
Dr. Baker: As a husband, father of four, and member of the Air National Guard, I am especially grateful for the freedom to raise my family, practice my profession, worship according to my beliefs, and serve my community and country.
America’s 250th anniversary is a reminder of the sacrifices that made these freedoms possible and the responsibility we have to pass them on to the next generation.
