Damaries Candelario-Soto, DMD

Damaris Candelario-Soto, DMD, MPH, is a passionate and dedicated dental professional whose love for her work shines through in every aspect of her career. Her enthusiasm for life is evident in her response when asked about her favorite part of being a dentist: “Performing root canal treatments is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get! Every day presents a joyful challenge. The best part is creating a positive experience for patients, showing them that a root canal can be a painless procedure that eliminates pain and infection while saving their teeth.”
Dr. Candelario-Soto spent her formative years in Carolina, Puerto Rico, and attended Antilles High School in Fort Buchanan. She completed a Pre-Dentistry program at the University of Puerto Rico before obtaining her DMD from the University of Puerto Rico Dental School. Eager to expand her knowledge and expertise, she pursued a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) and became a Fellow in Nutrition and Oral Health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
After gaining experience in private practice, Dr. Candelario-Soto joined the US Air Force as an Officer. Her first assignment was at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, South Carolina, where she served as a general dentist for three years. She later transferred to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, where she completed her Endodontics training and received a Certificate in Endodontics from the US Air Force Endodontic Residency.
Following her specialty training, Dr. Candelario-Soto was stationed at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, where she served as the Chief of the Endodontic Department for three years. She then returned to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, this time as the Director of Resident Education and Training for the US Air Force Endodontic Residency. She also served as the Endodontic Consultant for the US Air Force Reserves from 2007 to 2015, culminating in her retirement after 22 years of dedicated service.
Dr. Candelario-Soto’s professional affiliations reflect her commitment to excellence and ongoing learning. She is a proud member of the US Air Force Retired Reserves, the Military Officers Association of America, the American Dental Association, the Georgia Dental Association, and she holds the prestigious title of Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontists.