Orthodontist Bethel Park, PA

Get to Know
Dr. Nicholas Palmer

Dr. Palmer says that the greatest joys that come from being an orthodontist are also the simplest—he really likes working with children and teenagers, giving them smiles they love while watching them grow into young adults and thrive. He also likes getting to know their families and using his skills to support local events and organizations, such as art and music festivals, high school sports teams, and child community sports groups.

Why Did You Decide to Become an Orthodontist?

Dr. Palmer decided that he wanted to become an orthodontist during dental school. His undergraduate degree is in mechanical engineering, so orthodontics was always very interesting to him. Engineering and orthodontics are both about problem solving and manipulating forces to achieve a certain outcome, and he enjoys coming up with the best solutions.

Where Did You Study Dentistry?

After studying mechanical engineering at West Virginia University, Dr. Palmer stayed there and went on to receive his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. As a student, he was given the Academy of Dental Materials Excellence in Dental Materials Award and was also accepted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honors Dental Society due to finishing 2nd in his entire dental class.

Dr. Palmer eventually completed his orthodontic residency and received his Master of Science in Orthodontics from the West Virginia University School of Dentistry. During this residency, he received the Dr. John H. Dempsey Orthodontics Scholarship and the Southern Association of Orthodontics Research Grant. In 2024, he became fully certified by the American Board of Orthodontics, a distinction held by a minority of doctors in his field.

Still striving to grow his knowledge and refine his skills, he is an active member of the American Dental Association, Pennsylvania Dental Association, the American Academy of Orthodontists, and the West Virginia Dental and Orthodontic Alumni Associations.

Outside of the Dental Office, What Do You Like to Do?

Dr. Palmer and his wife, Kacey, have a young daughter, Hallie, as well as two German Shorthaired Pointers named Maverick and Goose. At home, he enjoys spending quality time with family, working on cars, fixing things around the house, and keeping up with Pittsburgh sports as well as WVU football.