For many students, choosing a career in healthcare begins with a desire to help others. For Dr. Marc Novak, dentistry became the perfect way to combine that goal with something else he enjoyed: working with his hands and building meaningful connections with patients. But as Novak’s career shows, entering the healthcare field is only the beginning; the real challenge comes in transitioning from student to professional.
Growing up in Connecticut, Novak already had a strong connection to the University of Connecticut. His mother attended UConn, and he spent much of his childhood visiting campus and following UConn basketball.
“I grew up in Connecticut and always had a connection to the university,” Novak says. “When the time came to make a choice for college it felt like the place that I knew best and would help train me for the next phase in my life.”
Experience at UConn
At UConn, Novak studied science and completed undergraduate research in the Molecular & Cell Biology and Chemistry departments. Through these experiences, he realized he wanted to pursue a career in healthcare, with dentistry standing out as the ideal path because it combined patient interaction with hands-on work.
His time at UConn also helped build the foundation he would rely on later in his career.
“My time at the university taught me how to work with multitudes of different people and how to communicate effectively with both my peers and superiors,” Novak explains. “Academically, the rigorous scheduling of the science curriculum made the transition to dental school very smooth.”
After graduating from the UConn School of Dental Medicine in 2018 and completing a residency at Morristown Medical Center, Novak entered the workforce. It was here that he encountered one of the biggest challenges young professionals face: shifting from being guided by instructors to becoming the person others rely on.
Adapting to Responsibilities & Building a Career
“A big problem most people will face early on is the transition from student to business owner or primary doctor of an office,” Novak says. “Years are dedicated to studying and having things checked off by teachers, and then suddenly people look to you for your opinion as their chosen provider.”
This shift required more than clinical knowledge. Novak had to continue learning, seek mentorship, and develop confidence in his decision-making. His early roles in New Jersey allowed him to learn from experienced dentists while gaining insight into running a practice, skills that would become essential later in his career.
That preparation paid off when he joined Greenwich Dental Group, eventually becoming a partner in 2023. As the practice has grown to over 30 staff members and expanded to a second location in Old Greenwich in 2026, Novak has taken on increasing leadership responsibilities, something few students fully anticipate when starting their careers.
Despite these demands, Novak remains committed to mentoring future professionals. Each month, he returns to UConn to teach and speak with dental students, often emphasizing that graduation is just the beginning.
“I want students to know that graduation is only the first page in a much longer story of building a reputation and a career.”
Dr. Marc Novak
Advice to Current Students
For students interested in healthcare, Novak stresses the importance of gaining early exposure to the field. Shadowing professionals and asking questions can help students better understand what the day-to-day reality looks like and what aspects they are most passionate about.
“Healthcare is one of the most rewarding professions that exist,” Novak says. “Start shadowing or getting immersed in the profession early and find what part of it brings you passion.”
From student to practitioner to leader, Novak’s journey highlights an important lesson: success in healthcare isn’t just about what you learn in school, but how you continue to grow, adapt, and take responsibility after you leave it.
