Orthodontist Amy Gerber-Smith wants to get to know the people she treats as she works to make a positive impact on their lives.

Gerber-Smith was named the Best Orthodontist in The Parkersburg News and Sentinel Readers' Choice Awards.

She has been practicing orthodontics locally in the area since 2005 and has an office in Rosemar Circle.

The St. Marys native's family has been involved in dentistry for a long time, going back to her grandfather to her father and uncle. She is an alumnus of West Virginia University and its dentistry school. She did her orthodonics residency at the University of Louisville.

''I wanted to come back home and work here in the area,'' Gerber-Smith said. ''I love it here.

''I am very excited to have been chosen (for the Readers' Choice Award.) We like to make it an enjoyable experience for everyone.''

Gerber-Smith likes to take the time to get to know her patients.

''We like to form relationships with them all and their families,'' she said. ''It is great to get them to know them all.

''I love working with kids and adults. We have a good number of adults who come in.''

The office does a variety of different braces, including Invisaline and clear braces as well as lingual braces.

Gerber-Smith had braces herself when she was younger and can relate to what her patients are going through with them.

''I had clear braces when I was in high school,'' she said. ''I totally understand. I feel like I can really identify with people, because I have been in their shoes. I am still kind of young so I can connect with that young age group.''

Gerber-Smith wanted to go into orthodontics because of her own experiences.

''I love the whole process,'' she said. ''It is the whole building self-esteem aspect of it.

''You can really change someone and make them feel so much better about themselves.''

A number of patients have issues that need to be taken care of. Through her work, she can help them feel better about themselves.

''They are different kids when they leave here than when they first came in,'' she said. ''They have more self-esteem. They are really proud to smile and feel good about themselves.

''I really liked that part of dentistry. This is something that I really felt passionate about.''

Her office has set up a Web site, www.DrAmyOrtho.com, where she regularly posts information about orthodontics where her patients can go for information about products and procedures as well as other information.

''The kids can learn a little bit more about braces and what we do,'' she said.

With her husband, Rich, and their new daughter, Audrey, they are looking forward to becoming more involved in the community.

She is also looking forward to continuing to grow the practice.

The nature of orthodontics requires a lot of time to allow her to do the work that has to be done with each patient. It gives her time to build up those relationships with her patients.

''I love getting to know the kids, talk to them about school, sports and activities they are in,'' Gerber-Smith said. ''It is fun to see their pictures in the paper. We cut those out and put them up on our board in the office.

''We want them to know that they are important to us. I love my job. It is really fun. I wouldn't do anything else.''