The West Virginia University School of Dentistry Alumni Association awarded Dr. David Bridgeman its Distinguished Alumnus Award in April.
Bridgeman was born in Augusta, Georgia, but has lived most of his life in New Martinsville, West Virginia.
The 1980 graduate of the School of Dentistry comes from a four-generation family of dentists. His grandfather graduated from Case Western University School of Dentistry in 1899. His father, Dr. Bob Bridgeman, was a dentist, as well as his great uncle. Additionally, his brother Craig, sister Laura and nephew Robbie are all dentists.
Bridgeman’s early education was at West Liberty State College, where he received a B.S. degree before being accepted to the WVU School of Dentistry in 1976.
Dr. Bridgeman has served in leadership positions on the local, state, and national level. Some of those include the president of the Marshall-Wetzel-Tyler Dental Society, the George M. Hollenback Operative Dentistry Association and the West Virginia Dental Association.
He has served as president of the New Martinsville Rotary Club. At his hometown church, First Christian Church of New Martinsville, Bridgeman has served as elder and deacon.
Among his many honors, Bridgeman is a fellow in the American and International College of Dentists. He also earned the Distinguished Dentist Award, the highest award given by the WV Section of the Pierre-Fauchard Academy. In 2019, was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon national dental honor society.
Bridgeman has served two terms as a member of the WVU School of Dentistry Alumni Association Board of Governors. His first term was from 1993-1997. He’s currently in his second term which began in 2016.
Both Drs. David and Craig Bridgeman have donated countless hours to lecture and instruct dental students at the WVU School of Dentistry in gold inlays and foils.