Dr. Smith grew up In Holland and attended Hope College, graduating Magna Cum Laude, with degrees in biology and chemistry. He completed his dental education at the University of Michigan, and upon graduation, was awarded a clinical teaching position at the dental school, until finishing his residency in periodontics in 1985. In 2009, Dr. Smith earned fellowship status at the Misch International Implant Institute and the International Congress of Oral lmplantologlsts. In 2012, Dr. Smith rejoined the faculty at the U of M for a year as an adjunct assistant clinical professor in the department of graduate Periodontology/Oral Medicine, where he instructed their residents in the clinical practice of his specialty.