3 minute read
Dentistry, Dedication, & Daily Bike Rides
BY DOREEN SARGENTE
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY DR. ANDY GOULD
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When Dr. Andy Gould flashes a grin, you can’t help but feel instantly at ease—which is convenient, considering he’s a dentist. Behind his bright smile is more than just a man with a dental mirror and a love of molars. Andy is the kind of guy who rides his bike nearly four miles to work each day, geeks out over high-tech gadgets (yes, even the dental kind), and once handled teeth handed to him rink-side—literally.
Let’s rewind. Andy knew back in 8th grade that dentistry was his calling, thanks to a local dentist in his hometown who inspired him. “I fell in love with the profession and all it stood for,” he says. (Spoiler: he still feels that way nearly three decades later.) After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh in 1995 and completing his residency in Baltimore, Andy went on to build a successful dental career in Pennsylvania, owning and managing multiple practices.
He even spent 14 years of his career as the team dentist for the Hershey Bears, the minor league hockey team for the Washington Capitals. “Trauma and teeth—lots of them handed to me,” he recalls with a chuckle. While that experience expanded his clinical toolkit, it also sharpened his skills in emergency care, communication, and keeping calm under pressure—skills that serve him well with nervous patients today.
In 2023, Andy and his wife, Ami, made a move to North Carolina and landed in Brunswick Forest. It didn’t take long for his professional world to fall into place. Thanks to a recommendation from family members (who were already fans of BlueWave Dentistry), Andy connected with Dr. Chad Biggerstaff, owner of BlueWave. “He wasn’t even hiring,” Andy admits, “but after hearing about my 25+ years in the field, he said, ‘Let’s make room.’” And just like that,
Andy found his new dental home.
BlueWave Dentistry isn’t your run-ofthe-mill office. With over 54 years of combined experience between three doctors and a full suite of services—from root canals and implants to Invisalign and even Botox—Andy proudly says, “You don’t have to bounce around to different specialists. We’ve got it all, right here.”
And it’s not just what they do, it’s how they do it. Andy lights up when talking about the practice’s cutting-edge technology. “I had three practices in Pennsylvania, and none of them compare to the technology BlueWave has now.” Digital impressions, 3D imaging, and sameday crowns are all part of the experience. No gagging impressions, no second appointments, no problem.
But for Andy, it’s never just been about the tools—it’s about the people. “One of the best compliments is when a friend becomes a patient,” he says. Whether it’s drawing out treatment plans by hand or following up with personal phone calls/texts, Andy focuses on keeping patients comfortable, informed, and—yes—even relaxed. And for the especially anxious? “We’ve got blankets, music, and even a little pharmaceutical help if needed.”
Outside the office, Andy is soaking up life in Brunswick Forest like a sponge in a dental rinse. He’s a self-described activity junkie—golf, swimming, big-game hunting, travel, working out, biking, even dabbling in pickleball. He is also a member of the Basilica St. Mary’s church where he is a lector and serves as a Eucharistic Minister.
He and Ami, who he met while they were both students at Pitt, are celebrating 29 years of marriage. Their two daughters are following equally impressive paths: Lydia, 25, is starting her Nurse Practitioner program at Duke this fall while working in UNC’s pediatric division, and Meredith, 24, is heading to New Jersey to begin her fellowship in pediatric speech pathology. “We’re proud of them beyond words,” Andy says.
Andy’s heart for service isn’t limited to the paying patient. Back in Pennsylvania, he helped launch a charity dental clinic in Harrisburg to provide care for those in need. And while he’s still getting his roots into the North Carolina soil, he’s already thinking about how to give back to the community that’s welcomed him. “Outreach will always be a part of who I am.” Looking ahead, Andy sees himself doing dentistry in the community for another 10 years, staying active, deepening friendships, and possibly stepping into leadership roles around the neighborhood. “I love what I do. I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else.”
So, if you see a guy cruising past on a bike with a big smile and maybe even a hunting story or two to share, wave hello—it’s probably Andy Gould, your friendly neighborhood dentist… and possibly your next opponent on the pickleball court.
