Pediatric Dentist Adds Enthusiasm & Experience to Growing Team
Bluefish is growing and welcoming a new pediatric dentist to its team. Dr. Matt Anderson joined the multi-disciplinary practice on July 19. Dr. Anderson and his wife Jennifer are both native Oregonians, and together with their son Blake are happy to be returning home. Anderson and his family moved to Central Oregon from San Diego, where he recently completed his advanced education in pediatric dentistry residency with NYU Lutheran Medical Center. He received his doctorate of dental surgery from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine in 2014.
“Matt impressed us all at Bluefish with his dedication and enthusiasm,” said Bluefish founder Dr. Catherine Quas. “And we appreciate the depth of care and compassion he brings to his work and the people he interacts with including patients, teammates and family.”
During his two-year pediatric dental residency Dr. Anderson was responsible for the comprehensive dental treatment planning and care for children aged birth to 14. The hospital-based program specialized in delivering compassionate, quality care to special need and at-risk populations, which he finds especially rewarding and humbling.
Anderson came to the dentistry profession from a background that includes practicing as a mental health therapist after earning a masters degree in counseling psychology from Lewis & Clark College. He finds that he is able to use many aspects of that education and work experience interacting with children and families as a pediatric dentist, a valuable asset at Bluefish.
“I am so excited about Matt’s presence. His broad range of professional experiences and training will be an asset on many levels, and the fact that he has advanced training in pediatric dentistry means that he knows kids—their teeth, their psyche and what is normal and what’s not,” said Quas.
“His professional skill set is amazing and just as important is that he wants to be involved in making a difference in our community, which is very much in alignment with our values at Bluefish.”
After several years of service in mental health, Anderson embarked on a successful career in leadership and management with Banfield, The Pet Hospital. His work as a regional director of operations involved the oversight of 23 veterinary practices, and honed his knowledge of business development, human resources, education and training. Despite his success, Anderson missed being more directly involved in a helping profession.
“With the support of my wife, I began the meaningful pursuit of becoming a dentist,” said Anderson. “I enjoy working in teams, with my hands and in a capacity to educate, advocate and serve.”
Having a liberal arts background required Anderson to tackle three additional years of undergraduate work to obtain the needed science pre-requisites to apply to dental school. Perseverance paid off and he was accepted into the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine in 2010, a year after he and his wife welcomed his son, Blake to their family.
It was during his third year of dental school that he fully realized the joy and reward of working with children and families, and that he wanted to specialize in the care of children.
“I was giving a lot of thought to what motivates me and the value I place on meaningfulness of work,” said Anderson. “Reflecting on prior experiences and the learnings I continued to have as a father, I knew I wanted to work with children and families.”
Originally from Portland, Anderson and his wife are excited to be back home, closer to family and able to enjoy the outdoor life found in Central Oregon. Anderson is an avid cyclist and endurance athlete and he and his wife have both coached youth soccer teams in the past.
“Over the years as we had discussed returning to Oregon we consistently dreamed of an opportunity to establish roots in this part of the state. We value the sense of community, quality of the schools and quality of life found here,” said Anderson. “I am looking forward to having a presence in the community and being active in all that Central Oregon has to offer kids and families.”
As he and his family begin this new adventure together with Bluefish, Anderson said that he is excited to join an innovative team.
“For years Bluefish has been leading the way in preventive education and practicing minimally invasive dentistry in Central Oregon,” said Anderson. “Dr. Cate and the team at Bluefish are doing what I hope every pediatric dentist sets out to do—educate, advocate, prevent disease, and when treatment is required, deliver it with compassion, fun, and in child-friendly ways. From the first moment I saw the Bluefish team working together with children and families, I knew I wanted to be a part of this team serving Central Oregon.”
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