Resident Spotlight: Binh Ho, DDS
Compiled by Dr. Priscilla L. Carpenter
From cutting hair to leading in endodontics, meet NOVA’s next chief resident.
The Paper Point: Hi Dr. Ho! Thanks for sitting down with me. To begin, tell us a little bit about yourself.
Dr. Binh Ho: Hi Dr. Carpenter, Thank you so much for having me. It is such an honor to be interviewed by you and the Paper Point. I am originally from Vietnam. I came over to the U.S. by myself at the age of 16 to go to high school in upstate New York. Then I slowly making my way around to the Midwest, Louisiana, DC and now Florida. I proudly graduated from Howard University (HU-You Know) College of Dentistry in 2018 and was practicing as a GP in the Tampa, FL area for a few years. Last year, I was so honored and grateful to be selected as part of NOVA Endo residency class of 2026 with all my wonderful co-residents and phenomenal faculty.
The Paper Point: That’s awesome! Not only did you come here alone from Vietnam, you’ve lived in quite a few states—New York, Iowa, Illinois, Louisiana, D.C., and now Florida. How do you think moving around so much has shaped your perspective, both personally and as a future endodontist?
Dr. Ho: Living in so many places definitely has helped me so much in my growth, both in my personal and professional life. It really has provided me with the chance to see life and view different issues from a variety of perspectives. And I can connect with a lot of people since I understand their cultures and backgrounds much better. Moving around a lot also gave me opportunities to meet and be mentored by so many wonderful individuals in all aspects of life, from my aunt who is a pharmacist, my dear friend who is an immigration lawyer, my faculty in dental school to my endo mentors in Tampa and many more. As I get older, I am just more and more grateful for all the things that have happened in life to put me in this position right now.
The Paper Point: I love that! Your gratitude is so palpable. So tell us, what initially sparked your interest in endodontics? Was there a moment when you knew this specialty was the right fit for you?
Dr. Ho: You know, it is a bit corny to say, but I always really enjoyed endodontics in dental school. I remember completing my very first root canal as a dental student and it was a mandibular first molar with 4 canals (I still have the radiographs of the case with me, by the way). I vividly remember all the details of the procedure and the “high” of finding that second distal canal then obturate everything nicely (with cold lateral compaction too!). I have always looked for that joy again. After dental school, when I was practicing as a GP, I decided to shadow O.S, Perio, and Endo.
I just wanted to learn all the tricks from these specialists but never thought about going back to school. However, my mentors at Advanced Endodontics of Tampa were so gracious to let me spend hours and hours with them. They were helping me to be a better clinician but also encouraged me to apply to endo because they saw the potential in me. I am forever grateful. My last 2 out of the 6 years I spent as a GP really confirmed my love for endo. I was much happier doing a root canal than prepping a crown or doing a cosmetic case. Endo really brings me joy and pushes my curious mind to the next level.
The Paper Point: That is so relatable! It is really hard to shake once you’ve been bit by the endo bug. Congratulations on being elected chief resident for your second year! That’s a huge accomplishment!! What does that role mean to you, and how do you hope to support your co-residents?
Dr. Ho: Thank you so much for your kind words. This really means so much to me to be trusted by my co-residents, my faculty and the department staff to have selected little old me as Chief. I hope that I can support my co-residents with organizing events, resources, and humbly contribute to them with the little real-life practicing experience that I have had so far. I really want to take some of the weights off my faculty’s shoulders in upholding the program’s values and making sure it shines as much as it deserves.
The Paper Point: It sounds like they are very lucky to have you! I know you’re gonna be great. I know you’ve been on quite the journey since graduating dental school in 2018. How has that experience shaped your approach to both dentistry and patient care?
Dr. Ho: I am so blessed to have had so many mentors along the way and experienced different patient care situations. I can truly say that I understand dentistry from both sides of the table (as a GP and soon, as a specialist). My own experience helps me to relate to the patient and to be compassionate to their situation. At the same time, I can understand the perspective of a GP and their treatment plan. This ultimately allows me to communicate with the GP better and still uphold the patient’s best interests while continuing to do my part as an endodontist to the best of my abilities.
The Paper Point: I’m positive that will come in handy for you once you start life as an endodontist! For dental students who might be considering endodontics, what’s one piece of advice you wish someone had shared with you when you were starting out?
Dr. Ho: First, try to do as many endo cases as possible in your pre-doctoral program. Try to really learn and be meticulous about your craft. Second, try to find mentors or make time to shadow different specialists. You will learn a lot by just spending time with a specialist at their office but it will also confirm that you actually enjoy endodontics. Because at the end of the day, you have to love endodontics to commit to doing it at a high level every single day for many years ahead.
The Paper Point: So true! What we do is hard, and you’ve gotta love it to be the best that you can be. Life in residency can be pretty demanding. What do you enjoy doing for fun when you find time to unwind?
Dr. Ho: Things definitely can get quite busy but I am so grateful for my fiance’s support throughout this whole journey. I usually enjoy relaxing at home with my fiancé and my dogs; playing Fifa on Xbox. And lately playing pickleball with my friends.
The Paper Point: It’s so important to have a way to decompress after a long day! I heard you have two dogs who are basically your kids! What are their names, and how do they help you relax after a long day?
Dr. Ho: Yes they are. I love animals and particularly, dogs. Our two current dogs are Gia (a 2 y/o Shih Tzu) and Diesel (our rescued 8 y/o Pit-Lab mix). Dogs are very routine creatures so they really keep me on track with my daily practices. Walking them or just laying with them relaxes my mind and gives me time away from all the busy and stressful factors of my life.
The Paper Point: I love that! So tell us, how did you get into barbering? Cutting hair for classmates and staff during dental school is pretty unique! Do you still get to show off those skills at NOVA?
Dr. Ho: So I started cutting hair in undergrad just as a way to save money. But one thing about me is that once I start a hobby, I am fully invested. So after many YouTube videos and bad haircuts on myself and some beloved friends, I became decent at it. Then I actually started making a little bit of money cutting in undergrad and in dental school. But barbering is just a way for me to connect with people from all walks of life. A 40-minute haircut can be a fun conversation about last night’s basketball game, an impromptu therapy session, or just a quiet moment for someone to be away from all the chaos in their life. Interestingly, barbers back in the day were also “dentists” doing extractions in their chair. So somehow, I picked up barbering as a craft and now dentistry as a profession. Funny how life works.
At NOVA, since my schedule is quite busy, I told my co-residents that I will be an emergency barber if they need a last minute haircut but they have to have their own “primary provider” [Smiles.]
The Paper Point: Haha, that’s great! And also a very unique skill so that’s amazing. You’re a big sports fan—soccer, basketball, football, tennis, and more. Is there one sport that’s taught you valuable life lessons that you apply in your career?
Dr. Ho: Yes, I absolutely love sports. I don’t think I can single out just one sport. Because every sport is so different but they all can teach you patience, perseverance, hard work, teamwork, respect to your coaches/mentors, and the competitiveness to strive to be the best version of yourself.
The Paper Point: Very nice! As you approach the finish line of your residency, what’s next? Do you see yourself heading into private practice, teaching, or maybe something else?
Dr. Ho: I definitely would love to go back to the Tampa area to practice as an endodontist. I was so fortunate to have made some good relationships as a GP and hopefully will be graciously accepted in the community as a specialist. I would like some mentorship in private practice in the beginning but then eventually open my own practice. If fortunate enough, I would like to be an adjunct faculty at NOVA Endo maybe once a month, to give back to the program that has given me so much.
The Paper Point: It’s so important to give back to your alma mater! And besides graduating, I’m sure you and your fiancée are excited to finally start planning your wedding. Any big plans yet?
Dr. Ho: Yes, we have been engaged for three years so far and have been together for nine years total. This wedding is long overdue. My fiancé and my mother-in-law are doing all the big plans, as they do enjoy this process. I will just add in some details if I am allowed to do so, haha. But hopefully we will be able to get this big party going at the end of 2026.
The Paper Point: That’s so awesome. Best of luck to you both with the planning and the wedding!
Binh, it’s been great getting to know more about your journey! Thanks again for sharing your story—best of luck with the rest of your residency and everything that’s ahead! Before you go, do you have any final words for our readers?
Dr. Ho: I want to thank everyone for reading about my story. I am so grateful to be a part of this beautiful specialty and have met so many wonderful people along the way. I am looking forward to learning a lot from everyone and enjoying this love of endo with all of you. Thank you for having me and it is such an honor for me to be here.
From navigating life in a new country to becoming NOVA’s next chief resident, Dr. Binh Ho’s journey is a testament to dedication, resilience, and passion—both in and out of the clinic. As he looks ahead to completing his residency, planning a wedding, and advancing his career in endodontics, it’s clear that his future is as bright as his smile. The AAE community is excited to see where his path leads next!
Dr. Carpenter is a member of the AAE’s Resident and New Practitioner Committee.