Hello, I’m Susan McLaughlin. I am a Registered Dental Hygienist with over 40 years of experience in dentistry, and I truly consider this work a calling.
I earned my Associate’s Degree in Dental Hygiene from Delaware Technical Community College and my Bachelor’s Degree in Health Science from West Chester University. I began my dental career in 1981 at my father’s general dental practice in Wilmington, Delaware, which laid the foundation for my lifelong passion for patient care.
In 1999, I relocated to Florida and obtained my Florida dental hygiene license in 2000, after practicing as a licensed hygienist in several states, including Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New York. In Florida, I worked for seven years in general dentistry with Dr. John J. Nelson, followed by 18 years in periodontics with Dr. Gary G. Cook until his recent retirement.
Throughout my career, my greatest focus has always been my patients. I take pride in providing care that is gentle, thorough, and compassionate, with special attention to helping patients feel comfortable and at ease during their visits. Building trust and long-term relationships with patients has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career.
Outside of the office, I enjoy spending time with my husband of 35 years and our two adult children. I also love staying active and engaged through travel, Bible study, tennis, volunteer work, hiking, and backpacking. One of my most meaningful experiences was hiking the Camino de Santiago with my daughter, and I am currently planning our next adventure to Machu Picchu.
I am truly excited to be part of the team at Guiding Light Dental and look forward to caring for our patients and being part of this wonderful practice.