Drs. Robert and Craig Bridgeman are dentists in Boone, North Carolina, whose practice emphasizes the delivery of well designed and crafted restorative dental services.
Robert H. Bridgeman, DDS
Robert H. Bridgeman, “Robbie,” grew up in Boone, North Carolina. He graduated from Watauga High School in 1998. He attended both Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia and Appalachian State University. He spent the next four years in Chapel Hill, North Carolina studying the art and science of dentistry at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry. He graduated in 2006.
Since graduation, Robbie has practiced dentistry here with his father, Craig. He continues to enjoy learning dentistry from both his father and the many individuals in several dental study organizations to which they both belong.
While growing up in Boone, Robbie worked at his father's dental practice during the summers and came to love the profession. Robbie was drawn to dentistry because he saw that dentistry allowed his father to provide many wonderful opportunities for not only his own family, but also for many of those less fortunate around him.
During Robbie’s last year of dental school, he met Rachel Stephens, also enrolled at the University of North Carolina, who was in pursuit of her master’s degree in nursing. They married in June 2007. She is now Rachel Bridgeman and currently works as a nurse practitioner at the Appalachian District Health Department in Boone.
Robbie and Rachel have a dog, Sam, and they enjoy doing anything they can do if the dog can come too. Cooking, reading, fly-fishing, golfing, gardening, watching football and basketball, hiking and running are their favorites.
Craig Bridgeman, DMD
Dr. Craig Bridgeman considers it an honor to serve as a third-generation dentist in the Bridgeman family. He is a native of West Virginia and did his undergraduate studies at Marshall University and West Virginia University.
In 1972, he was accepted as the only out-of-state student in the first dental class at the University of Florida. While in school, he was the first dental student in Florida history to place a restoration in a live patient. After graduation in 1976, he and his wife, Rose, settled in Boone.
Dr. Bridgeman’s interest in restorative dentistry has led him down numerous pathways for professional development. He has studied extensively at the Center for Advanced Dental Studies, founded by Dr. Peter Dawson in St. Petersburg, Florida. Dr. Dawson’s philosophy of dental practice (and life as well) has been a major influence on the character of his practice. Dr. Bridgeman has also been strongly influenced by Dr. Richard V. Tucker of Ferndale, Washington, whose emphasis on excellence in the use of cast and direct gold restorative materials is legendary. He has also attended the L. D. Pankey Institute in Key Biscayne, Florida.
In 1976, Dr. Bridgeman joined the G. M. Hollenback Operative Dentistry Seminar (now the Hollenback-Medina Seminar) as an operating member. The members of this study club meet numerous times yearly to do clinical operations with their peers observing and offering critique. In 2000, Dr. Jose Medina (former Dean and professor of Operative Dentistry at the University of Florida) retired as clinical director of the study club, and Dr. Bridgeman was selected to replace him.
Dr. Bridgeman is a member of the North Carolina Dental Society and the American Dental Association. He holds certification from the American Board of Operative Dentistry. In addition to serving as clinical director of the Hollenback-Medina Seminar, he is also a member of the Tarheel Tucker Study Club which meets regularly at the University of North Carolina Dental School in Chapel Hill.
Other professional affiliations include the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry, American Academy of Gold Foil Operators (past president), Academy of Operative Dentistry (past president) and the American Board of Operative Dentistry (past president). He also holds fellowships in two honorary colleges, the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists.
Dr. Bridgeman has presented lectures before professional audiences at numerous sites in the United States as well as Puerto Rico. Along with Dr. Kevin Frazier and Dr. Jose Medina, he is a co-author of the textbook chapter “Direct Gold Restorations” in Clark’s General Dentistry.
Dr. Bridgeman spent many years serving Watauga County and Boone in the Boone Jaycees. Most recently, he served as president of the Watauga Education Foundation, and under his tenure, the foundation successfully completed a $650,000 endowment campaign.
He enjoys working as a dental consultant to the Department of Athletics at Appalachian State University. He has worked for Habitat for Humanity, is a past member of the Parish Council and is a current leader of the Adult Scripture Study program at his church, St. Elizabeth Catholic.
He is married to the former Rose Herrick of New Martinsville, West Virginia, and they are the parents of (Dr.) Robert H. and Casey Anne.
Dr. Bridgeman’s interests include reading, traveling, playing golf, watching college sports, playing the piano and woodworking.