Patients give her something to smile about

August 13
Patients give her something to smile about

Aleksandra Djordjevic Abington Journal Correspondent

CLARKS SUMMIT - Dr. Bridget Walsh is smiling. And her smile is something to talk about.

At left is Dr. Bridget Walsh. Her new office is located in the Professional Plaza located on 301 West Grove Street, Suite 2E in Clarks Summit.

Abington Journal Photo/Aleksandra Djordjevic

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Walsh has been practicing dentistry for many years, and she thinks the best part about her job is the patients. “Patients want a doctor that not only has great skills, but also treats them with great respect. You need to be able to carry on conversations with patients that are young and old and from different backgrounds. If you want patients to trust you, you have to be trustworthy.”

Recently Walsh moved to a new location in the Professional Plaza located on 301 West Grove Street, Suite 2E in Clarks Summit.

Although Walsh took the road not taken and did many things over a period of time, she essentially knew that dentistry was something in her roots. Walsh said, “After college, I joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps (JVC). I worked for a year in Richmond, VA in the street center for homeless men. I was responsible for cooking and serving dinner to almost 250 men in an evening.” After the JVC, she went to the University of Scranton for a year, and worked as a teaching assistant and completed a Masters in Biochemistry. She then moved to Baltimore and worked as a teaching assistant in a Baltimore County public school. After moving to Massachusetts, she worked in a Catholic school as a Theology teacher.

“Then I finally went to dental school. I started when I was 25. It was great age to start my professional education. I wouldn’t have skipped any of the steps I took to get to where I am today. I am definitely someone who believes the journey should be enjoyed and not just the final destination.”

Walsh’s credentials include being a Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Pennsylvania, and a doing a General Practice Residency at Abington Memorial Hospital.

But while Walsh is a dentist who takes pride in what she does and how she became a dentist, she credits her sister as helping to light her path. “My sister, Dr. Megan Zukoski Azar, always wanted to be a dentist. When she got into Temple Dental School, I decided that I wanted to go with her. I didn’t grow up wanting to work with teeth, but it still surprises me how much I love my job. Also, as a working mom, I have a better ability to treat my patients and be available for my kids.”

And a love of dentistry runs in Walsh’s family. “My grandfather and his brother were dentists. My father’s brother is also a dentist. It was there in my family history–I lucked out. And I enjoy doing family dentistry.”

And while the early days of dentistry have long since past, Walsh can remember a time when her grandfather practiced dentistry. “My grandfather saw patients in his basement when he retired. It’s exciting and in doing it myself, I think he would do it the same way.”

For those are aspiring to be dentists, Walsh has some sound advice. “Be kind. Make every attempt to make all patients comfortable.” For more information about Walsh’s practice or new office, visit her Web site at www.drbridgetwalsh.com. Walsh will be able to see new and current patients on early morning and evenings and is able to see patients of all ages. For more information, call 585-7111.