I do what I do mostly because I love people. And I think I got into dentistry because it’s a medical field that you’re working with your hands. And in theory, I was like, yeah, I like people.
But I think as I’ve been here 12 years, the people are why I’m here. It’s the stories that I get. It’s seeing people every six months or more often if they’re in Invisalign or in treatment.
And sort of getting to know them and learning about their life and getting to be in their life and helping them out is really why I do this job. I got into dentistry initially. I always liked the sciences.
I thought about being a medical physician. But I really liked working with my hands. I really liked the creative aspect of dentistry.
And I really liked being able to see my patients more often and kind of getting that chance to really connect with people. I grew up here in Cincinnati, honestly, right here in Hyde Park for high school, since anyone in Cincinnati cares about that. I went to St. Ursula Academy for high school.
I went to the University of Dayton for undergrad. And then I went to Ohio State for dental school. I then completed a one-year general practice residency at a VA hospital in Hampton, Virginia, to which I came back here.
I’ve done continuing education sort of every year. I try to go to the ODA in Columbus when they do their annual meeting. I’m now in a Spears study club here in Cincinnati.
And then I also, a few years ago, became a diplomat of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine so I can treat my sleep apnea patients. In dentistry, we can treat obstructive sleep apnea with an oral device. So most patients who have obstructive sleep apnea wear a CPAP machine.
If they either cannot tolerate a CPAP machine or if they do not want to, I can make them an oral device. It is a slight subspecialty of dentistry. And so when I decided to get into this field, I wanted to make sure that I was trained properly and knew everything I needed to know.
So I went through a year-long program with the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine where we did multiple hands-on classes and online courses to become trained in how to make the oral device. I then took a board exam and passed the board exam with the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine so that I have a qualification to make the oral devices.
Meet Dr. Maggie Ernst, a Dentist Who Blends Science & Art
Dr. Maggie Ernst is a Cincinnati native who was born and raised in Hyde Park as the youngest of four children. She attended St. Mary Grade School and Saint Ursula Academy High School before obtaining her Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of Dayton, where she graduated magna cum laude in 2010.
Dr. Ernst then attended The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, where she earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree in 2014. She graduated magna cum laude and was initiated into the elite Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society as one of the top graduates from her class. She earned several other honors while at OSU, including the Dr. Harold E. “Hal” and Faith B. Barlow Dental Scholarship in 2011.
Following dental school, Dr. Ernst completed a general practice residency at the Hampton Veterans Affairs Medical Hospital in Hampton, VA from 2014 to 2015.
Dr. Ernst loves that dentistry combines two of her passions – science and working with her hands. She genuinely enjoys taking your problem teeth and turning them into a beautiful smile. Her pride in her work and commitment to her patients’ satisfaction allow her patients to be relaxed and comfortable during appointments.
Dr. Ernst has completed extensive training in many areas of dentistry, including family dentistry. She loves getting to know the families who visit us and watching your little ones grow into their beautiful smiles. With her help, your family’s pearly whites will stay beautiful and healthy for many years to come!
Dr. Ernst has expanded her practice to include obstructive sleep apnea treatment with oral appliance therapy. Dr. Ernst has been qualified to practice sleep dentistry by the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine. In addition to completing over 60 continuing education credit hours, she has also completed a clinical internship under Dr. Kathleen Bennet, a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine.
Dr. Ernst is thrilled to be practicing in her hometown, furthering her career with her friends and family by her side. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her nieces and nephews. She also likes to walk her dog Lucy, go hiking, play tennis, and read.