Here at The Bedford Mom we believe that moms deserve to be recognized and celebrated! This month we are so excited to feature Kristen Harvey, a mom of a sweet kindergartener and a successful dentist who owns her own practice. Read all about her below!
Tell us about yourself!
Hello fellow Bedford Moms! My name is Kristen Harvey and I live here in Bedford with my husband Mike and our daughter Sydney, who goes to kindergarten at Riddle Brook School. I practice dentistry in Concord, NH and am the owner of White Park Dental. Auburn, Maine is where I grew up, but I have lived in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Texas for school. We are happy to now call New Hampshire our forever home; a nice utopia of access to lakes, mountains, beaches, and beautiful New England towns to explore!
Tell us about your work!
I went to the Pennsylvania State University majoring in biology before I discovered that dental school would be a good career fit for me due to the unique combination of art and science. After University of Maryland Dental School in 2010 and then a year Advanced Education in General Dentistry program at the Veterans Affairs hospital in San Antonio, Texas, I began my dental career. Four years ago, I purchased White Park Dental and am happy to serve Concord, NH and the surrounding communities! I enjoy treating my patients comprehensively and discuss elements of whole-body wellness and prevention. Dental implant placement and restoration, Invisalign® and Sure Smile® orthodontic therapy, and Cosmetic all-ceramic crowns and veneers are some of the services I have a passion for providing, above and beyond routine dental care. It is very fulfilling to be able to get to know each patient as an individual, and have an impact on their overall health, relieve discomfort and achieve the confident smile they desire.
What are your favorite local restaurants?
River Road Tavern and Pressed in Bedford and The Foundry in Manchester
What is your favorite way to practice self-care?
Since there is little time in the schedule for formal exercise, I enjoy getting outside and finding new places to discover with my family. We enjoy joining up with The Bedford Mom group to go on hikes at the Joppa Hill Farm and Peabody Mill Environmental Center for a little nature-therapy. Someday we hope to hike all of the 4000 footers when we are all in better shape 😊 To relax, I enjoy seeing Preeti for a Lash Lift and Tint and Julie for a Massage at White Willow Salon.
What brought you to Bedford?
Bedford is a perfect central location to get to any activity that we wish. It is great to feel a part of a community, but also have privacy and a bit of nature in our backyard. The desirable school system and ability to commute relatively easy to our professions sealed the deal.
What is your favorite thing about Bedford?
We have enjoyed meeting other families through Primrose Preschool and now Riddle Brook School. We are thankful that Bedford has a welcoming Facebook community to make connections.
What are your favorite local spots in town?
At Tucker’s, Sydney likes having a special treat of a Mikey Mouse chocolate chip pancake and I enjoy a Smashed Avocado Bowl and nice cup of Chai. We enjoy the many offerings at Joppa Hill Farm and look forward to a week of summer camp this June. The town library also has nice events and discounted tickets to local museums.
What is your best piece of advice for moms who are new in town?
Welcome new moms! The town is always growing and evolving and there are many other families that are seeking new connections. Please get involved and try new things – this group is a great way to start!
What is your best piece of advice for expecting moms or new moms?
Motherhood is a challenging yet rewarding journey. I am always learning new ways to approach parenting and it is nice to find a great support system. When Sydney was a newborn, I took advantage of Elliot Hospital’s lactation nurse visits and Mom’s Group. Take what you read online about being a mom and raising children with a grain of salt, everyone’s path is different, find out what works best for you and your family!