He attended Eastern Mennonite University, where he majored in Biology, and Temple University School of Medical Dentistry, where he earned his dental degree. He completed his pediatric dental training at Children's Hospital, National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., affiliated with Georgetown University. He served as Chief Resident in Pediatric Dentistry from 1986-1987. Subsequently, while in private practice in southern Maryland for ten years, he was also a Clinical Instructor at Children's Hospital. He has been associated with Cross Keys Dental Associates since 1995.