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“I am where I am because of the mentors who guided me, but it was the work I put into the opportunities afforded me that opened up more doors.”

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Carson W. Henley, DDS, describes his dental journey with one word: opportunity. 

“When I get the opportunity to diminish discomfort or relieve a patient’s dental embarrassment, it’s a good day,” Henley said.  

He volunteers one afternoon a month at West Virginia Health Right, a free and charitable clinic, extracting teeth for the underserved. In 2020, he served as chair of the local Give Kids A Smile committee. And when Remote Area Medical swings through his area, Henley “always makes it a point to volunteer.”   

While Henley relishes any opportunity to volunteer his time for the community, it was a fortuitous conversation with a dental school mentor that led to his current position at Ghareeb Dental Group. 

“A professor introduced me to my employer straight out of school, and that set me up with so many prospects to succeed,” said Henley. 

“I have worked with Carson for the past four years, and he is always eager to learn and constantly improve the care he delivers to his patients,” said Steven A. Ghareeb, DDS, FAGD, West Virginia AGD president. “He also recognizes the importance of being involved in organized dentistry to properly advocate for our profession.” 

Henley’s willingness to jump into new possibilities opened the door to serve as a 2019 and 2020 West Virginia AGD Delegate, and he is currently serving on the AGD PACE Council. 

“I am where I am because of the mentors who guided me, but it was the work I put into the opportunities afforded me that opened up more doors,” said Henley. One such door was the recent purchase of a practice in Charleston, which he will be running as a Ghareeb practice. 

Henley’s advice to new graduates? Seize opportunities. They are everywhere, but you have to position yourself to accept them.