Meet Dr. McDonough
Your beautiful, healthy smile is my passion. It is what I do every day and why I chose to become an orthodontist in 1994. I am blessed to work in the greatest profession in the world!
To date, our office has created one-of-a-kind smiles for over 7,000 people: from children as young as age 6 to adults who are in their 70s, and many teens and those in between, too,
Whether treating a patient in my office or teaching the next generation of orthodontists, it is the same great feeling: there is no greater joy than helping to create a healthy and beautiful smile!
Education and Experience
As a smile expert, I enjoy sharing my knowledge with patients and their dental team. From my undergraduate education to advanced orthodontic training and continuing education, I have focused on staying current on the latest innovations in the specialty.
By carefully evaluating each new option, I can integrate the best – those that improve diagnostics, comfort, efficiency, and results – into the practice. This allows our office to provide the finest orthodontic care possible.
I became an orthodontist because I love people and working with my hands. Great orthodontic treatment requires knowledge of growth and development, engineering, mechanics, and materials. It also requires me to be an attentive listener, creative thinker, and skilled motivator. All of these are my strengths and interests. There is simply no better profession for me!
Prior to opening my practice, in 1994, I completed my formal education, .jpg)
including:
- Bachelor of Science in Biology, Fordham University, New York, NY
- Doctorate of Dental Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, Philadelphia, PA
- General Practice Residency, Lenox Hill Hospital, New York, NY
- Post-Graduate Orthodontic Training, Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA
Being in private practice affords me time to get to know each patient, personally, and to enjoy the changes they experience during treatment. It is deeply fulfilling to have a positive impact in people’s lives: confidence is a feeling and great smile adds confidence to each person as their self-esteem strengthens!
I have also been a Clinical Instructor at Albert Einstein Medical Center since 1995, as well as writing articles and sharing my experience with the next generation of orthodontists.
Professional Affiliations and Activities
I am a Board-Certified Orthodontist with the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) and have earned the designation of Diplomate of the ABO. I am also an active member of the:
- Middle Atlantic Society of Orthodontists (MASO) Board of Directors, 2023 – Present
- Greater Philadelphia Society of Orthodontists, President 2016-2017
- Mercer Dental Society, President 2002-2003
- Society of Educators for the American Association of Orthodontists, 2013-present
- American Association of Orthodontists
- Middle Atlantic Society of Orthodontists
- Pennsylvania Association of Orthodontists
- New Jersey Association of Orthodontists
- American Dental Association
- New Jersey Dental Association
Professional Publications
Editor of "Orthodontic Practice – US.” This is a national journal that promotes excellence in orthodontics and covers a full range of clinical and practice management topics. My most recent publications for this journal include:
- Efficiency by Design
- Post Treatment Consultation
- Congenitally Missing 2nd Premolars
- Vertical slot brackets - for increased efficiency
Dr. McDonough's keynote presentation to the National Honor Society at Hopewell Valley High School
Beyond the Practice
I grew up at the Jersey Shore, in Allenhurst, and have lived and practiced in Pennington for 27 years.
Mary Beth, my wife, has an MBA from Columbia University and is our office manager. We have three incredible daughters:
- Carolyn, our eldest, was a Neuroscience major and a national championship rower at Lafayette College. She competed in the World Triathlon Championships for 19 and under girls and placed 9th. She is currently the Mercer County representative for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
- Kimberly, our second daughter, played lacrosse at Villanova University, graduated as a Physics major, and works for Lockheed Martin as a Radar Systems Engineer. She is married to Doug, a helicopter pilot for the Coast Guard and lives in Hawaii.
- Kristen, our youngest, will be attending Rochester Institute of Technology as a Chemistry major and Fine Arts minor.
Time with friends and family is always my priority. I am also a triathlete and have completed 2-4 triathlons a year since 1988: that’s over 95, in total! Carolyn, my oldest daughter, and I completed the Atlantic City Half Iron Man Triathlon in September 2016. We have also competed in the Triathlon Age Group National Championships in 2022, 2023 & 2024. I have also completed two New York City marathons and the 500-mile Anchor House Bicycle Ride for Runaways.
My other interests including surfing during summers at the Jersey Shore and skiing in the winter. And from 2000-2016 I had the pleasure of coaching youth lacrosse, soccer, and softball in the Hopewell Valley Recreation Leagues.
