Beyond the Needle

Rico D. Short, DMD

Dr. Rico D. Short is a world-renowned, board-certified endodontist with over 25 years of experience in dentistry and more than two decades specializing in endodontics. He is an accomplished author, lecturer, professor, and sought-after speaker. As an expert spokesperson on endodontics for the American Dental Association (ADA), he represents a professional network of approximately 161,000 U.S. dentists. Dr. Short attended the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry to attain a Doctor of Dental Medicine Degree in 1999. In 2002 he earned his post doctorate degree in endodontics from Nova Southeastern University. Dr. Short added the final notch to his belt and became a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics in 2009. His private practice, Apex Endodontics PC, was opened in 2004 and is located in Smyrna, Georgia just outside Atlanta. Dr. Short has over 30 years of experience in dentistry and over 25 years in endodontics. He is a national board examiner for the ADEX Testing Agency. This agency administers the licensure exam for oral healthcare professionals in the United States, Puerto Rico, and Jamaica. The agency includes CDCA, WREB, and CITA board exams. Dr. Short is a member of the International College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy, a graduate of the ADA Institute of Diversity in Leadership Program, and an ADA Success Speaker. He is also an expert consultant in endodontics to the Georgia Board of Dentistry and an assistant clinical professor at the Dental College of Georgia in Augusta. As an independent national lecturer and a key opinion leader in endodontics, Dr. Short is endorsed by the American Association of Endodontists Speaker’s Bureau and collaborates with leading dental companies to evaluate new products before they reach the market. Dr. Short has written numerous articles, appeared on many podcasts, and been published in several journals including, Dentistry Today (making the exclusive cover in April 2013), Inside Dentistry, UpScale Magazine, Rolling Out Magazine, and the Journal of Endodontics. Dr. Short has authored four books: Getting to the Root of Your Problem, In the Eye of a Storm, Endodontic Keys and Cases, and Purpose Full. In 2025, Dr. Short was interviewed by the New York Times. He published an article in the New York Times, "How To Avoid A Root Canal." Dr. Short published his first textbook in 2022, Endodontic Keys and Cases. This book was designed to help clinicians understand and successfully navigate through various cases dentistry and in the field of endodontics. In addition, he has published over 1,000 articles on social media involving case studies in endodontics. They are called “The SHORT Case of the Day,” in which he has a robust worldwide following of over 100,000 dentists. Dr. Short has lectured at the American Dental Association several times and the National Dental Association annual meetings. He has lectured at local and large state meetings including the California Dental Association, North Carolina Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association, and many others throughout the United States and the Caribbean. Dr. Short’s work has been published in dental journals around the world with opportunities to speak in China, India, the Netherlands, and the Philippines. Dr. Short was named one of the Top 40 Dentists under 40 in America by Incisal Edge Magazine in 2013, Top 20 Alumni Under 40 by Augusta University, and has been named in Dentistry Today consistently as one of the top leaders in continuing education. Dr. Short has received several prestigious awards and accolades throughout his career. He is very philanthropic in his community. Dr. Short has established an annual scholarship at the Dental College of Georgia in Augusta, formally known as the Medical College of Georgia School of Dentistry. He is an American Dental Association Success Speaker and a graduate of the Institute of Diversity and Leadership Program. With this knowledge, Dr. Short travels around the country speaking to dental students about the future of dentistry, student loan repayment, and finding a job. In addition, he volunteers at various non-profit organizations and charity dental clinics. In October 2012, Dr. Short was selected as a panelist for the Affordable Care Act. He was invited to the White House to give his opinion about how the Affordable Care Act would affect both businesses and citizens of our country from a healthcare provider perspective. Dr. Short’s dedication to advancing endodontics, mentoring future dentists, and giving back to his community continues to leave a lasting impact on the field of dentistry.