I got into dentistry in the middle of college and sort of went in undecided science. And my roommate in college, her dad was a dentist, and so I talked to him, and it kind of just all made sense. I liked working with people, I liked getting to know them, I liked working with my hands. Unlike regular medicine, dentistry is much more kind of patient interaction, and you get to see kind of what you’re doing and you get a nice kind of outcome right away. So it’s a lot of instant gratification in dentistry. And so that’s sort of how I kind of went down that path, and the further I got in that path, the more I liked it. I’d say the most rewarding part is working with the patients. I really enjoy getting to actually know them. I see them at least on a six month basis, or if we are doing a lot of work, I’ll get to see them, you know, every couple of weeks. So I get to know them, I get to know their family. I sort of know what they’re doing on vacation and all of those things. And I really like that interaction, and I really like making both their mouth healthier and prettier in a lot of ways, which is very satisfying.
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.