The Case For Conservation: Elevating the Role of Preservation in the Dental Practice
Melody Ward, DDS
What Dr. Ward enjoys most about her job is the opportunity to work closely with each of her patients. Over the course of treating and educating them about their periodontal health, she gets to know her patients on a deeper level and likes to listen to their unique stories. She believes that building trusting relationships is essential to truly great dentistry, and she can’t wait to welcome you into our dental office.
Ever since she was in high school, Dr. Ward was interested in biology and the medical sciences. She did not always know that she wanted to be a dentist, but while in college, she had the opportunity to shadow in a dental office where she eventually worked as an assistant for a year. Her experience there motivated her to apply for dental school. During her first year in dental school, she was drawn to the field of surgery and started shadowing in the post-graduate periodontics clinics. She was immediately attracted to the intricate surgeries and knew becoming a periodontist was the path for her.
Dr. Ward’s college career started at the University of California San Diego, where she graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree. She went on to earn her dental degree from the University of Maryland, Baltimore and continued at the same institution to obtain a Master of Science and Certificate in Periodontics.
Since then, she has fervently pursued continuing education. She currently runs a Spear Study Club and is taking a continuum of courses at the Pankey Institute. She is also part of a dental implant study club and has received training focused on treating infants with lip and tongue ties. On top of this, she participates in several professional organizations:
• American Board of Periodontology, Diplomate
• International Congress of Oral Implantologists, Diplomate
• American Dental Association
• Maryland State Dental Association
• American Academy of Periodontology
Away from work, Dr. Ward enjoys primarily spending time with her family, which consists of our own Dr. Charlie Ward and their two young boys. She has recently gotten into baking and has also planted a vegetable garden. She likes to incorporate the harvests into family meals whenever she can. They all try to spend plenty of time outdoors together as well, particularly bike riding.