Dr Henry Gellert Leaves A Legacy Of Three Decades Of Smiles

By Nancy K. Crevier

When people in Newtown hear the name “Gellert” they think of two things: orthodontics and sports. Known for 30 years to thousands of residents for his patient-friendly practice on Church Hill Road and his huge support of Newtown athletics, Dr Henry “Hank” Gellert is now transforming his own life instead of transforming smiles. In December 2006 Doctor Gellert handed over the reins of his practice to Dr Josh Baum, a trusted associate he handpicked to succeed him and with whom he worked closely for the past three years.

Born in Bridgeport and raised in Fairfield, Dr Gellert’s initial plans for success as a young man revolved around the basketball court, not the dental stool. Academically talented, the young man also excelled in sports, and was named to All-State in high school in both baseball and basketball. He was awarded a partial scholarship to the University of Connecticut for his athletic prowess, but it was during a long stint on the bench that he realized that his dreams of playing professional ball were not going to be realized.

“I thought maybe I wanted to be a teacher and a high school basketball coach, but after receiving my undergraduate degree in biology, I somehow ended up in the medical dental program at Columbia University,” recalled Dr Gellert in a recent interview.

It was not such a huge stretch, though. A people lover, Dr Gellert realized that in the medical profession he would have the opportunity to help people. He thought initially that he would go into medicine, but discovered that he did not care for the hospital atmosphere. “Then I got a summer job with Vick’s, the makers of a mouthwash, Lavoris. My job that summer was driving all over and getting different dental and orthodontist offices to carry Lavoris. I discovered that I like the environments I saw in those offices. I liked the children, the parents, and the more relaxed atmosphere. People are happy when they get a nice smile,” he said.

He graduated from Columbia School of Dentistry after four years, and then continued his education at the University of Rochester to specialize in orthodontics. It was at the University of Rochester that he met Bea Armstrong, who would become his wife in 1978, and with whom he has raised three children in Newtown.

“I wanted to come back to Connecticut, and I felt that Newtown was just like Fairfield when I grew up,” Dr Gellert said of his decision to open his practice in 1976 in the center of town. “It was a small town, family oriented, with good values.”

It was a challenging time for the young orthodontist. He was newly married, and had taken on a huge debt with his business and buying a home. And his foundling practice was open only Thursday afternoons as he struggled to build a clientele. The other days, he would travel all around the region to practice his profession and earn enough to support his family and new practice. “I would drive to Long Island, to Westchester, to Bristol, all over to work in other offices,” said Dr Gellert. “Then I would fly to Rochester every Friday afternoon to work at a practice there on Saturday. I worked hard, but I was passionate about my work and I enjoyed the challenge.”

As his clientele grew, literally and figuratively through word of mouth, Dr Gellert was able to cut back on his life as a journeyman orthodontist and devote himself to full-time in his Newtown practice, and later to his Monroe practice, as well.

Giving 110 Percent

His early years in sports provided Dr Gellert with a philosophy that has permeated his life, both professionally and personally. “Sports taught me about life, especially to realize it’s not over until it’s over, to give 110 percent, to respect others, be a team player, and to be competitive.”

The proactive attitude, he believes, carried him over rough spots and made his practice a winning proposition. “I became extremely passionate about my profession, always trying to make things better for my patients and for my staff. “

There was a softer side to his nature, as well, though, said Dr Gellert, a sort of Peter Pan approach to life. “I never really wanted to grow up, so I could relate to the kids who came into my office. I knew what they liked, so I put a pinball game in the office, and then video games. I had Game Boys at every chair, and offered points and prizes for kids who took good care of their gear. We gave out T-shirts, and had a field day for all of the patients. I did it because I love kids,” he explained. His down-to-earth manner made it easy for parents and children to relate to him, he thinks, and played a big part in the success of the orthodontic office.

While running his busy practices, Dr Gellert made time for his first love, sports. Even before his own children were old enough and long before they made their own names in local sports, Dr Gellert coached parks and recreation basketball and baseball. “I enjoyed every minute of it,” he said. “I loved influencing children in a positive way.”

Giving children a positive feeling off the court became easier as years went by, too, said Dr Gellert, thanks to improved technology in orthodontics over the past three decades. “Today, unfortunately, self-esteem is based on looks or appearance, and I was able to help more children have a beautiful smile. A big thing was the use of composite to attach the braces to the teeth. It’s less painful. Titanium wires activated by heat in the mouth were another big change that I saw, and that was only in the last five or six years.”

When he first entered into practice, clients were usually in their late to early teen years before they came for braces, and the process could involve the removal of many teeth. “Now, we treat younger clients, kids 7, 8, 9 years old, at different phases for better results, and there is an emphasis on keeping as many teeth as possible.”

As the technology became better and less painful, braces became much more accepted, he observed. “Now, it is almost the ‘in’ thing to have braces. Orthodontics has developed into a sort of ‘hip’ field,” said Dr Gellert.

There was always a good feeling in knowing he had given a patient a beautiful smile and a healthier bite, but for Dr Gellert, it was the patients with special needs who stood out for him. “I had many patients with severe, congenital deformities like cleft palates, missing teeth, real problems,” he said. “Those are the people you get the most satisfaction for helping. They are challenging, but so appreciative.”

The decision to sell his business did not come lightly for Dr Gellert. “I felt I had reached the pinnacle of my profession and it was time for me to take care of myself, reduce some of the stress in my life. Fortunately, a fantastic, young orthodontist — Dr Baum — came along. He’s the type of person who will treat my patients well. He is a true professional, kind, and caring. I knew I wouldn’t find another individual like Dr Baum, so it was time,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to a chance to explore other avenues, maybe even fulfill my dream of becoming a high school basketball coach or teach at the University of Connecticut,” he went on to say. Travel, golfing, and community involvement are other activities he plans to pursue, and an open-ended schedule will also allow him to devote more time to his elderly mother, said Dr Gellert.

“I never expected to have such a wonderful career, and I thank all of the people and children who helped me along the way. This transition is simply another phase of my life, a time when I can explore, as my grandfather used to say, ‘God willing.’”