Gregory K. Boyajian.

From a young age he worked in his father's and his uncle's dental practices.

He took a chemistry degree in 1975 and, unable to follow his father into dental school that year, opened a dental laboratory instead. In 1984, encouraged by the Dean of Admissions, Dr. William Graham, he went back. He graduated from West Virginia University School of Dentistry, the first in his class to complete all his requirements, and was given a teaching post as Clinical Instructor of Prosthodontics.

He founded a general practice, Dental Care Associates, in Clarksburg while still running the laboratory. Then, at 43, he gave up a successful practice to become a student again, this time in prosthodontics at the University of Florida. There he attended Dr. Peter E. Dawson's seminars on occlusion, and Dr. Dawson inscribed his book to him: “Greg, it is a pleasure to have you as a friend. Keep up your excellent work for our wonderful profession.”

His interest in implants started at home. His father, having lost his teeth, made himself denture after denture looking for a comfortable set. “One day I will have implant dentistry in the States,” he told his son. “Meanwhile, if you become a dentist try to save your patient's natural teeth. Even if there is one salvageable tooth, leave it.”

In the mid-1970s, still a technician, he wrote to the American Association of Implant Dentistry asking to join. The reply: “Among other things, your interest alone justifies you to be a member.”