32 Years of Family Dentistry: Inside Crofton's Bernard Dental and Dr. JoAnne Bernard's Enduring Practice

CROFTON, MD — For 32 years, one name has been synonymous with family dentistry in Crofton, Gambrills, and Bowie: Dr. JoAnne M. Bernard. At Bernard Dental, a practice she has led since graduating Magna Cum Laude from the University of Maryland Dental School, Baltimore College of Dental Surgery in 1988, generations of patients have found a dental home defined by longevity, trust, and quietly exceptional credentials. The practice now holds a 99 Dental.me Score and a 4.9-star average across 225 patient reviews — numbers that reflect not a single good year, but three decades of consistency.

A Career Built on Scholarship and Teaching

Dr. Bernard's path into dentistry was distinguished from the start. Her Magna Cum Laude graduation earned her membership in Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the National Dental Honor Society founded in 1914 to recognize scholarship and character within the profession — a credential reserved for a select tier of dental graduates. Rather than leave academics behind, Dr. Bernard returned to her alma mater as a Dean's Faculty Clinical Restorative Instructor, guiding dental students through real clinical cases in the school's teaching clinics. That dual identity — practicing clinician and clinical educator — has shaped the way she runs her own practice, where she continues to log multiple hours of continuing education every year to stay current with evolving techniques and materials.

Philosophy: Lifelong Relationships, Not Single Visits

Bernard Dental was built around a specific idea: that dentistry works best as an ongoing relationship rather than a transaction. The practice treats patients "from children to seniors," positioning itself as a true family practice where multiple generations of the same household are cared for under one roof. As the practice puts it in its own words, the goal is simple and enduring: "We strive to develop lifelong relationships with our patients by combining the latest dental technology with a professional and compassionate staff. The result is a beautiful, healthy smile that lasts a lifetime." That philosophy also extends to patient education — the practice is explicit that patients deserve enough information to make their own informed choices about treatment, rather than being steered toward a single path.

A Team With Deep Roots and Global Experience

The strength of Bernard Dental extends well beyond its founder. Hygienist Tanja brings more than 30 years of experience across an unusually wide range of dental roles — she has worked as a dental assistant, a dental technician, and even practiced as a dentist in her home country of Serbia before settling into hygiene in Crofton. She holds certification in administering local anesthetic and monitoring nitrous oxide conscious sedation, allowing her to tailor comfort measures during hygiene visits, and she has volunteered her time at the Veterans Affairs Dental Clinic and with Mission of Mercy outreach events. She is an active member of the American Dental Hygienists' Association, the Dental Hygiene Study Club, and the Phi Theta Kappa honor society. On the administrative side, Linda has been with the practice for 20 years, rising from dental assistant to Office Manager and Billing Administrator, where her deep command of insurance claims processing helps patients capture the full value of their benefits. Newer additions like hygienist Emily, a Community College of Baltimore County graduate and ADHA member, and dental assistant Katie, who is currently pursuing further credentials in dental hygiene, show a practice actively investing in its next generation of clinical talent.

A Full-Service Scope of Care

Patients come to Bernard Dental for routine preventive visits and stay for a far broader menu of services. The practice provides general dentistry, professional teeth cleanings, periodontal exams and gum disease therapy, oral cancer screenings, and sealants for younger patients, alongside restorative and cosmetic work including bonding, crowns and bridgework, dental implants, porcelain veneers, removable dentures, and teeth whitening. For patients dealing with jaw pain or clenching, the practice also treats TMJ/TMD and provides bruxism devices, and it offers orthodontic treatment options as well. For dental trauma — chipped, moved, or knocked-out teeth — the office asks patients to call directly for prompt attention, while directing any life-threatening emergency to 911 or the nearest hospital.

Access, Hours, and the Patient Experience

Bernard Dental has structured its schedule around real working-family life, rather than a narrow nine-to-five window. The office is open Monday through Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., stretches its hours on Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. to accommodate patients who need an early or late appointment, and opens early on Fridays at 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. The practice accepts most traditional insurance plans and will file claims directly on a patient's behalf, while also offering flexible payment plans and CareCredit financing for treatment not covered by insurance — giving patients room to say yes to care they need without delay. Located at 2411 Crofton Lane, Suite 6, the office serves as a true community hub, drawing families from Crofton, Gambrills, and Bowie alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long has Dr. Bernard been practicing in the area?
Dr. JoAnne M. Bernard has been practicing dentistry in the Crofton/Bowie area for 32 years, treating patients of all ages from children through seniors.

What are Bernard Dental's office hours?
The practice is open Monday through Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The office is closed Saturday and Sunday.

What services does Bernard Dental provide?
The practice offers a full range of general, preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, including bonding, crowns and bridgework, dental implants, oral cancer screenings, orthodontic treatment, periodontal therapy, porcelain veneers, professional cleanings, removable dentures, sealants, teeth whitening, and TMJ/TMD treatment.

Does Bernard Dental accept insurance?
Yes. The practice accepts most traditional insurance plans and will file claims on the patient's behalf. It does not participate in Health Management Organizations. Patients can pay by check, cash, or credit card, and flexible payment plans and CareCredit financing are available.

What happens if I have a dental emergency?
Bernard Dental treats traumatic dental injuries such as chipped, moved, or knocked-out teeth and asks patients to call the office directly for assistance. Any life-threatening or severe injury should go straight to 911 or the nearest hospital emergency room.

Who will I see for my hygiene appointments?
The practice's hygiene team includes Tanja, who brings over 30 years of multidisciplinary dental experience including certification in local anesthetic and nitrous oxide sedation monitoring, and Emily, a Community College of Baltimore County graduate and active ADHA member.

About Bernard Dental - JoAnne Bernard, DDS

Bernard Dental has served families throughout Crofton, Gambrills, and Bowie, MD for 32 years under the leadership of Dr. JoAnne M. Bernard, a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the University of Maryland Dental School and member of the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society. The practice holds a 99 Dental.me Score and a 4.9-star rating across 225 patient reviews. Located at 2411 Crofton Lane, Suite 6, Crofton, MD, Bernard Dental provides general, cosmetic, and restorative dental care for patients of every age.

The verified profile for Bernard Dental - JoAnne Bernard, DDS is available on Dental.me. For more information about Bernard Dental - JoAnne Bernard, DDS, visit bernarddental.com.

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Crofton dentists on Dental.me: https://dental.me/md/crofton/
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