It isnt every day that an engineer at Boeing Commercial Airplanes (Renton, Washington) makes the decision to become an orthodontist. It was a brilliant choice, though, because Dr. Bunces engineering background arms her with a unique advantage in orthodontics, the most engineering-related field in dentistry.
Raised in theSeattle area, Dr. Bunce attended the University of Washington in Seattle and earned her bachelors degree in metallurgical engineering. Her deep understanding of engineering concepts provided the perfect launchpad for her dental education.
In 1995 Dr. Bunce earned her Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Washington and was invited to begin a one-year general practice residency at the University of Washington Medical Center. This hospital-based program of advanced training involved working with medically complex and emergency patients at the Medical Center and its affiliated clinics: Harborview Medical Center, Seattle Children's Hospital, and the Veterans Administration Hospital. Upon completion of this program, she became a full-time University of Washington School of Dentistry faculty member, and later served as the director of Harborview Medical Center's Dental Clinic.
Dr. Bunce completed her orthodontic specialty training at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. This three-year program is noted for performing dental research, and the creation of orthodontic and other dental textbooks that are used to train dentists throughout the world. She completed a master's thesis research project that involved digital radiography, and earned her orthodontic specialty certification. She entered private practice in 2000.
Actively participating inseveral keyprestigious orthodonticprofessional organizations helps keep Dr. Bunce current on the latest techniques and technology. She is a past president of the Washington State Society of Orthodontists. She also completed a four-year term as the Washington state director for the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists.
Through her dedication to the profession, Dr. Bunce has received numerous honors and awards, including election into the national dental honorary fraternity, Omicron Kappa Upsilon.For her work with children, shereceived the American Society of Dentistry for Children Award, the Academy of General Dentistry Award, and the American Association of Women Dentists Award.
Beyond the dental office, Dr. Bunce enjoys outdoor sports like hiking and cross-country skiing, and she loves spending time with family. When it comes to volunteer opportunities, the ALS Association Evergreen Chapter is an organization that is particularly close to her heart. In 2006, Dr. Bunce's husband passed away from ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease).
In the meantime, the woman who was to become my mom, had just lost her little 3 pound Yorkshire Terrier. He had died from some medical issues at the vet where he was being cared for. Alfy had been a rescue dog also. Alfy was found wandering in the yard of a friend who told my, someday, mom, that she had not been able to find the parents and my mom said SHE WOULD TAKE HIM. When Alfy died, my someday mom was looking on the internet and she came across a photo of me. She thought I was cute but, said she wasnt quite ready for another little four footed friend.
So the rescue lady was called and an evening meeting was set up in the house where I MIGHT POSSIBLY BE LIVING. My about to be grandmother and grandfather were asked to come over and offer their opinion as to my suitability for adoption into this family. The rescue lady wisely did not allow any of her four footed friends to be adopted without her visiting the family and the house where they were going to live.
I was brought in to the house and as, my now, grandmother tells the storyI ran up the stairs to the second floor and checked out the three bedrooms and the two bathroomscame back downchecked out the living room, dining room, family room, bathroom and one bedroom. After having carefully sniffed EVERYTHING, I gave my signature of approval by going over to the lady of the house, layed down at her feet, let out a sigh, which was interpreted to mean that I had said, I think I can live here. I am now known as Rusty because my fur looks kind of like the color of rust and my grandfather said, I think we should name him Rusty. My grandmother always says, We try not to let him get too wet so he wont rust anymore.
I now have a career as a therapy dog and I go to work everyday that Dr. Jacqueline Bunce goes to her practice where she is an orthodontist. No one likes to have anyone poking around in their mouth. Even we canines dont like to have our teeth scraped, cleaned, or brushed. We have patients that come in that want the treatment but, are frightened just thinking about the process.
We had one little girl, probably about 12 years old, who wanted the braces but was sobbing so hard the treatment couldnt proceed. Finally, Dr. Bunce asked her if she would like to come back to MY OFFICE, (Yes, I have an office.) and see me. Between sobs she nodded, yes. Then she was asked if she would like to pet me. The sobbing slowed even more and again she nodded , yes. Then Dr. Bunce asked her if she would like to HOLD ME while she got her braces placed. It was like the sun came out from behind a cloud. Suddenly the little girl was smiling. I spent about two hours on the little girl's lap while the treatment proceeded with no more tears.
