Meet Dr. Joan Walder

To say I love my job would be an understatement! From the first meeting with a new patient to the gathering of information, from the diagnosis and treatment planning to the ultimate unveiling of a beautiful new smile ... I love it all!

I took a circuitous route to becoming an orthodontist. I actually majored in journalism in college and later worked for Urban Medicine, a publication for inner-city physicians, and for Self Magazine in New York City. Although I still have a passion for writing, my love for helping people to “have the smile they always wanted” far surpasses it.

I chose to go back to school and pursue a career in orthodontics because I was drawn to the combination of artistry and function. I attended Northwestern University Dental School, where I received my Doctorate of Dental Surgery, and then was accepted into the orthodontic residency graduate program at Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center in New York. 

I am a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, which entailed an elective oral, written, and clinical exam by the American Board of Orthodontics to assess my knowledge, skills, and clinical expertise. Only one-third of orthodontists in the U.S. are Diplomates. I am a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the American Dental Association, the Massachusetts Dental Society, the Hampshire Dental Association, and the Women’s Dental Society. My research comparing posed versus spontaneous smiles was published in the American Journal of Orthodontics in December 2013.

I live in Florence with my husband Marty and our two dogs, Charlie and Brody. My daughter Jordan and son Max graduated from Northampton High School. Max is now attending George Washington University in Washington D.C. while Jordan is pursuing her Master's Degree in Public Policy. I enjoy tennis, hiking, music, and anything that involves being outside with my family and friends.

I look forward to meeting you!