We had the chance to meet Dr. Patricia (Patty) Bendick, DDS, the month we started FairfieldMoms and knew she’d be a great fit for Meet A Mom. Patty is an orthodontist with a practice in Fairfield, the same town she has lived in while raising her three children and a big fan of this beautiful town. Both FairfieldMoms had Invisalign and braces when we were younger, and we know how important our teeth are and knowing one day our kids might need braces too! 🙂Where are you originally from and how long have you been in the area?
I am originally from New York. I moved to CT with my husband Roger in 1985 after I had completed my residency in Orthodontics at Columbia University and Roger had completed his MBA at Harvard. We found out about Fairfield through my college best friend who lived here for many years.
Children:
I have three children who are all grown up now. Michelle, David and Julia. David and his wife, Nora, recently bought a home in Fairfield. Michelle works in Greenwich and lives in Fairfield too and Julia just started her MBA degree at Harvard.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I go to Club Pilates twice a week.
I love to cook and own all of Ina Garten’s cookbooks. One is autographed!
Favorite local things to do in Fairfield?
We love to go to the beaches of Fairfield anytime of the year. Swimming and dinner at the beach in the summer and walking in the winter. Bike riding through Greenfield Hill and Southport. Dinner at any of the amazing restaurants we have in Fairfield!
Do you have a favorite family friendly restaurant? Date night?
Our favorite family restaurant has always been Quattro Pazzi. Our favorite date night restaurants are Bonda and Martel.
Funniest part that you’ve learned about parenthood?
Funniest thing about parenthood- it’s always evolving. Never a dull moment!
Best mom hack that makes your life easier?
Give your children ever increasing responsibilities in the home. It’s teaching them life skills they will need in the future and makes your day much easier!
Tell us about your business, when & why you started, and the reason behind it?
I am extremely fortunate to have created my Orthodontic practice three miles from our home in a town I love. I have treated thousands of children and adults and see them every place I go!
I have the best team in the world that helps me give our patients their best smiles.
We treat our patients with warmth, kindness and respect and using the latest technology we give them the very best orthodontics! Parents should bring their child in to see me when ever they or their dentist notices something that concerns them. The most common early problems are crowding and bite issues. I have seen children as young as three but most first visits are around six to seven years of age. Orthodontics is for anyone who wants to improve their smile. I have treated many people in their sixties, seventies and even eighties! It’s never too late to get your best smile!
If you hadn’t started this business, what do you think you would be doing today?
I knew from the time I was 19 years old that I wanted to be an orthodontist so I can’t fathom doing anything else. It’s the perfect fit for me. I love treatment planning and treating a whole family over many years. I have had many families with four to six children so we have the pleasure of getting to know them well!
How does starting and growing a business work when you have small children and how has it changed over the years?
Choosing to be an orthodontist ended up being such a great profession for a mother. I was always able to see patients and be home before dinner. When our children were young I used au pairs through Au Pair in America to help us with the children when I was seeing patients. We had the loveliest girls and many became life long friends!
Best advice for moms who experience the inevitable MOM GUILT handling a career and a family?
Best advice for handling the inevitable mom guilt. Know that you are doing your best each day for your family and your work outside the home. Whatever it is you do outside your home share it with your children. They love to know what you are doing and they will be proud of the work you do!
Who has most influenced you to be the mother that you are today?
My mother was absolutely my role model. She always made me feel that I had the best mother in the world!
What advice would you share with a new mom or other moms?
Advice for moms in Fairfield- always feel great about the choices you make! There are so many ways to be a great mom. As an orthodontist I’ve seen the many different ways moms balance their lives. Some choose to work exclusively within their families and family activities and some choose to work outside the home too. It’s what is right for you and your family that’s most important!
Check out Patty and her team at Fairfield Orthodontic Associates on Beach Rd at Fairfield Orthodontic Associates