Richard L. Szal, DDS

Dr. Richard L. Szal is a native of Long Island (Massapequa Park), New York. His education was completed entirely within New York State, receiving a BS in Biology, Magna Cum Laude, from St. John’s University, Jamaica, New York, in June 1971, and a DDS degree, Cum Laude, from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dentistry in June 1975 with induction into the national dental honor fraternity Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU). He completed his Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Residency at the Catholic Medical Center of Brooklyn and Queens in June 1978, and became a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (Board Certified) in March 1981. Dr. Szal was engaged in the private practice of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery both in western Massachusetts, and Long Island, New York from 1978-1989.

In September 1989 Dr. Szal was commissioned a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy Dental Corps as a Reserve Officer, graduating from officer indoctrination school with “academic distinction”. Throughout his Naval career, he served as Head of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Naval Dental Centers in Orlando, Pensacola, Jacksonville, Portsmouth and Guam and from July 1997 to July 1998, he served onboard USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN 69) aircraft carrier as Dental Department Head.

In his last 5 years of service, he served as the Department Head and Chairman –Surgery/Dentistry at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Virginia where he was responsible for one of the largest departments within the Navy Medical Treatment/Training Facility Complex. This program boasts fully accredited Residency Training Programs in both Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and General Dentistry and personally trained a total of 37 Oral and Maxillofacial surgery residents. He completed his tour at Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, Virginia, and retired honorably from the United States Navy after 20 years of service, on February 1, 2010.

CAPT Szal’s awards included 3 Meritorious Service Medal, 2 Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Expert Rifleman Medal, and several other unit, campaign, and service awards.

His interests include Orthognathic Surgery, Dentoalveolar Surgery and Dental implants. He is married to the former Sharon Lee Zlobl of Greenfield, Massachusetts.

Professional Affiliations

Fellow: AAOMS
Diplomate: ABOMS
Member: ADA
Member: ADSA (American Dental Society of Anesthesiology)
Diplomate: ABDA (American Dental Board of Anesthesia)
Member: Association of Military Surgeons of the United States

Professional Credentials

National Board of Dental Examiners Parts I-II
Northeast Regional Board of Dental Examiners
Massachusetts Board of Registration in Dentistry

Instructor in Advanced Cardiac Life Support
Instructor in Basic Life Support
Certified in ACLS, PALS
Member Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU)