Gerald P. Tadej, D.D.S., M.S.

To become a specialist in orthodontics, Dr. Tadej has completed an advanced program of education and training.

The dream to become an orthodontist began when Dr. Tadej had orthodontic treatment himself. He was 15 years old and his orthodontist was a young, newly graduated orthodontist that Dr. Tadej looked up to. The braces and whole treatment process sparked an extraordinary interest for Dr. Tadej. He became an orthodontist because of this inspiration.

He attended Walla Walla College in Washington for his undergraduate studies. His dental studies moved him to California, where he attended Loma Linda University Dental School. He earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery Degree (DDS) in 1983. After one year of dental practice, he continued his studies for an additional two years at Loma Linda University Dental School, where in 1986 he earned his Master’s Degree (MS) in Orthodontics, becoming Gerald P. Tadej, D.D.S., M.S.

While in dental school, he was elected to the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society. Dr. Tadej completed a Master’s thesis on Temporo-Mandibular Joint (TMJ) anatomy and function. His work was published in a prestigious orthodontic journal, The Angle Orthodontist.

In his quest for learning and perfecting his orthodontic skills, Dr. Tadej completed a two-year fellowship with the Roth Williams Center for Functional Occlusion. Each year he attends the international study groups as well as many other courses in orthodontics and practice management to stay ahead of the latest advances in orthodontic technology.

In 2005, Dr. Tadej was accepted as a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. Only a small percentage of orthodontists ever become Board Certified.

Professional affiliations:

• American Board of Orthodontics-Certified, the only orthodontic specialty board recognized by the American Dental Association.
• American Dental Association
• American Association of Orthodontists
• Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists
• California Association of Orthodontists
• California Dental Association
• Kern County Dental Society
• Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society
• Roth-Williams International Society of Orthodontists

Dr. Tadej has been married to his wife, Cindi, since 1989. Their three children have all enjoyed some time in the office - wearing braces, working summers in the office lab and helping with special projects.

In his spare time, Dr. Tadej enjoys golf in the California sunshine.

“I love Bakersfield. I grew up in rainy Seattle, Washington, and my dream was to live where it is warm and the sun always shines.”