Rising Star Award: Dr. Brian Gallagher

Dr. Brian Gallagher is the 2020 recipient of the Ohio Dental Association N. Wayne Hiatt Rising Star Award.

Dr. Brian Gallagher is dedicated to giving back to his community and the profession of dentistry. In recognition of his efforts, he will receive the 2020 Ohio Dental Association N. Wayne Hiatt Rising Star Award.

“Establishing yourself in a private dental practice setting right out of school is challenging enough on its own,” wrote Dr. Michael Gallagher in is nomination letter. “It takes a certain individual to go beyond patient care to reach out into the community and volunteer your skills, time and leadership.”

Dr. Brian Gallagher said he was honored and surprised to receive the award.

“Any time there’s an honor like that, it means a lot, especially coming from the ODA – the organization for dentists in all of Ohio,” he said.

Gallagher was exposed to dentistry from a young age because his father is a dentist. Growing up, he spent time at the office helping out and doing yard work, but he never thought he would become a dentist. In college he started out on a pre-med track and had the opportunity to shadow a few other dentists, and he liked the patient interaction and being able to help people almost immediately.

“I always knew what my dad did and that he helped people, but seeing it from a second perspective solidified it for me, that dentistry was something I want to do and be a part of,” Gallagher said.

Gallagher attended dental school at the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine and graduated in 2016. After graduation, he went into practice with his dad in Cleveland.

“I love working with him every day,” Gallagher said. “He’s a great resource clinically, I’ll ask him anything, and we’ll bounce ideas off of each other.”

Gallagher said his dad has been a role model because he is very involved with the community through volunteering, coaching and serving on boards.

“Dentistry doesn’t have to just be that you’re with patients in a chair in your office, you can do a lot more with what you have to give,” Gallagher said.

Gallagher said his favorite part of being a dentist is the relationships he forms with his patients and other dentists. He said he enjoys getting to know his patients and their families, and seeing patients grow up in his practice.

In 2018, Gallagher co-founded a study club for young dentists in Cleveland.

“I wanted to have a forum where young dentists could ask questions they would not likely ask in larger setting,” Gallagher said. “We talk about cases and bring in presentations, and it provides an easier, more laid back format to learn.”

Gallagher said one goal of the study club is for dentists to grow together and help each other out rather than be competitive.

He also serves on the St. Joseph Academy Health Sciences Board, which aims to expose the students to health sciences. Gallagher said students at the all-girls school can participate in the program where they follow a certain curriculum and hear from health care speakers like dentists, dermatologists, anesthesiologists and others, and go on field trips to learn about different opportunities in health care. Gallagher said he’s also had several students come to their office to shadow them.

Gallagher has also provided custom fitted mouth guards for the St. Joseph Academy Rugby team.

“The girls were so appreciative, and we’re happy to help the community,” Gallagher said.

Gallagher joined the Ohio Dental Association and Greater Cleveland Dental Society right out of school. He is a member of the Greater Cleveland Dental Society Board of Trustees, and this year, he served as a delegate to the ODA House of Delegates for the first time.

“It’s been eye opening in a good way being part of these meetings with GCDS and with ODA and seeing what we can do to help dentists,” he said. “Before I didn’t really know what went into getting stuff done, but being part of it I realized we can change things and make a difference.”

Gallagher said he thinks organized dentistry is important so that dentists can look out for each other.

“Organized dentistry is about dentists helping dentists,” he said. “We can all have a voice. We have to look out for each other, otherwise who will?”

Outside of dentistry, Gallagher enjoys running, playing volleyball and basketball and bike riding. He has also coached cross country and is a Cleveland sports fan.

Gallagher practices with his dad, Dr. Mike Gallagher, and his mom, Cathy Gallagher, serves as their office manager. He has two sisters, Mary and Kelly.

The Rising Star Award recognizes a young leader in dentistry with outstanding leadership and initiative and a strong commitment to volunteerism within the community and the profession. This person must demonstrate promise for continued and future accomplishments within the dental profession, and must have been in practice for 10 years or less.