Damaries Candelario-Soto
DMD, MPH
Dr. Damaries Candelario-Soto, DMD, MPH, is passionate about helping patients save their natural teeth while changing the way people think about root canals. She is known for her warm personality, energetic spirit, and ability to help even the most anxious patients feel comfortable and cared for.
When asked what she loves most about being an endodontist, Dr. Candelario-Soto often says, “Performing root canals is like a box of chocolates — you never know what you’re going to get.” For her, every case is a new challenge, a puzzle to solve, and an opportunity to help someone get out of pain and keep their smile. One of her greatest joys is showing patients that modern root canal treatment can be comfortable, painless, and life-changing.
Originally from Carolina, Puerto Rico, Dr. Candelario-Soto attended Antilles High School at Fort Buchanan before completing her Pre-Dentistry studies and earning her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine. Her passion for healthcare and prevention later led her to pursue a Master of Public Health degree and a fellowship in Nutrition and Oral Health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
After working in private practice, Dr. Candelario-Soto proudly joined the United States Air Force as a dental officer. She began her military career at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina, where she served as a general dentist for three years before being selected for specialty training in endodontics at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. There, she completed the prestigious US Air Force Endodontic Residency and earned her Certificate in Endodontics.
Following her residency, Dr. Candelario-Soto served as Chief of the Endodontic Department at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. She later returned to San Antonio as Director of Resident Education and Training for the US Air Force Endodontic Residency Program, helping train future military endodontists. She also served as the Endodontic Consultant for the US Air Force Reserves from 2007 to 2015 before retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel after 22 years of military service.
Dr. Candelario-Soto is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics and remains committed to lifelong learning, advanced technology, and excellence in patient care. She is also a member of the American Dental Association, the Georgia Dental Association, the Military Officers Association of America, and the US Air Force Retired Reserves.
Outside the office, Dr. Candelario-Soto enjoys traveling, spending time with her husband and three sons, and giving back to the community. She is the founder of the Dental Assistant School of Atlanta, where she helps train future dental professionals and create career opportunities within the dental field. She also served on the board of Ser Familia, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Latino families through mental health, family, and social support services.
Fun Facts About Dr. Soto
- Growing up in Puerto Rico, Dr. Soto’s father had traditional “jaulas de jueyes” (crab traps), and she became an expert at catching blue crabs without getting pinched.
- She can play the Puerto Rican pandereta incredibly fast and loves the energy of traditional Puerto Rican music.
- Dr. Soto loves seafood, traveling, and exploring new cultures and foods with her family.
- Patients are often surprised by how calm and comfortable she makes root canal treatment feel.
