WILMINGTON- For Dr. Robert Ruhl, dentistry is his passion. Since 1979, Ruhl has served hundreds of patients, volunteered his time with several local organizations, and committed his life to building a successful dental practice. Dr. Ruhl is now celebrating 30 years of keeping teeth cavity-free in the Deerfield Valley and he has yet to show any signs of slowing down. “I really enjoy my practice and I intend to be here for a number of years,” said Ruhl. “My daughter Hannah is nine years old and she says she wants to be a dentist, too. She even wants to practice in my office. So that inspires me, too.”

Ruhl graduated from Allegheny College in Meadville, PA in 1975 with a degree in biology. Shortly after graduation, Ruhl set his sights on dentistry school and attended Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. Ruhl spent the next four years in the city and completed his residency on campus. When Ruhl completed dentistry school in 1979, he left the city and headed north to open a new practice. Ruhl vacationed several times in southern Vermont and fell in love with the area. Then Ruhl met two local dentists in Wilmington and things fell into place.

Ruhl met doctors Hazel Haughey and Ian Hay. Haughey and Hay practiced dentistry in the old Hayloft Lodge on Coldbrook Road. At that time, Ruhl said Haughey and Hay were ready to retire. Ruhl bought the property and later opened his dental practice. “I knew that I wanted to practice in Vermont and the opportunity presented itself. I just went for it,” said Ruhl.

Ruhl doesn’t forget what it was like in the beginning when his practice was squeezed into a 400-square-foot office space. The office had no air-conditioning; X-rays were developed in the bathroom; and the office space included a private office, a business office, and a waiting room. Today’s office has 1,500 square feet and is much more comfortable. “Let’s just say we had to be very efficient back then. I don’t know how we did it,” laughed Ruhl.

Ruhl said the most satisfying aspect of his job is there’s always something new to learn. Even after 30 years, Ruhl says new challenges await him. He says each patient has different concerns that need to be met and keeping up with the latest technological advancements is necessary for his work. Being in a rural setting like the Deerfield Valley does have its challenges.

“I was one of the first dentists in the state to use (digital x-ray technology). That was a tremendous investment because you don’t have vast quantities of patients,” said Ruhl. “In wealthier suburban areas, there’s a faster return on investment,” said Ruhl. “However, it was the right thing to do. Now we provide X-rays with less radiation and it helps us provide better standards of care for patients.”

Ruhl also credits the introduction of ultrasonic cleaning, composites, cast metal restoration, and implants as key advances over the years. “Up to 90% of fillings were made of silver amalgam. We now have composites, which are much kinder to the teeth. Plus, implants were hardly done 30 years ago. Now they are very popular and part of mainstream dentistry,” said Ruhl. Despite the advances, Ruhl says today’s dental students have a tougher row to hoe. He says it’s not as easy for today’s dentists to relocate or begin a new practice in a rural area. Dentistry school is more expensive and students accrue larger amounts of debt. As a result, many are drawn to cities and suburbs because they can make more money.

Ruhl has given back to the community in several ways over the last 30 years. Last summer, Ruhl and Dr. Louis Beaudette provided one day of free dental work for anyone throughout the Deerfield Valley. The event was a major success and fulfilled a major need in the community. Beaudette has also been a dentist in the Deerfield Valley for 35 years.

Ruhl has supported organizations such as the Boy Scouts and Freemasons, and played the organ at the Congregational Church in Wilmington. Ruhl also chairs the Pool Learning Center, an organization assisting individuals with dyslexia; serves as president of the Deerfield Valley Health Center Board of Directors; and also began the Bright Smiles program at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. Bright Smiles provides dental care for children with special needs.

His staff say they are amazed and inspired by Dr. Ruhl’s work. Gretchen Havreluk, of Jacksonville, worked for Dr. Ruhl for 18 years, and says Ruhl’s compassion for his patients is an inspiration. She says he takes the time to talk things over with patients and he always makes them feel at ease during major dental work. “Dr. Ruhl always wants to make sure the patients are fully aware of what’s going on. He would draw teeth diagrams on tray maps. Sometimes we’d pin them up on the wall with a sign over it saying ‘Bobby’s work,’” laughed Havreluk.

Patti Santoro has been Ruhl’s office manager for the last three years. Santoro said going to the dentist can be an intimidating experience. Yet Santoro is amazed at the consistency Dr. Ruhl applies in his daily work. “It just blows me away that even on hectic days, nothing rattles his cage,” said Santoro. “He has a great sense of humor and is easy to approach. A lot of patients feel comfortable about that.”