About Dr. Connelly

Dr. Connelly graduated from Fairfield University and was accepted to the renowned dental school at Georgetown University. After fulfilling a military obligation as a dentist in the United States Navy that took him to Taipei, Taiwan for three years, he was accepted as an orthodontic resident at the prestigious Columbia University in New York City. After graduation, he came back to his home town of Stratford to set up his orthodontic practice. At the same time, he joined the largest group practice in Bristol, Connecticut, where he handled all the orthodontic needs of a five-doctor practice. He continued there for 10 years until his Stratford practice demanded more of his time.

During his orthodontic residency and the first 10 years of his practice, Dr. Connelly became involved in research into orthodontic systems that provided excellent results with gentle pressure on the teeth and jaws. Although very few orthodontists follow those concepts, it has been Dr. Connelly’s proudest achievement during his practice years. That is to say that our Orthodontic Team is devoted to excellent orthodontic results with a minimum of discomfort to our patients.

In addition to his clinical involvement, seeking ever gentler treatment for his patients, Dr. Connelly has become Board Certified by the National Board of Orthodontics as a Diplomate, an honor enjoyed by only a small number of orthodontists in the United States. He is also a Fellow in the Academy of International Dentistry, a member of the American Equilibration Society, whose members are dedicated to achieving healthy jaw joints through dentistry, a Founder of the American Association for Functional Jaw Orthodontics, a member of the American Association of Orthodontists and the Connecticut Dental Association as well as an Academic Leader of the Academy for International Medical Study.

Although a consummate orthodontist, Dr. Connelly has been involved in many community projects while he and his wife, Pat, have happily raised three children: Deborah is a Doctor of Chiropractic Medicine practicing in Connecticut, Todd is Director of Compensation at 20th Century Fox Filmed Entertainment in Los Angeles, California and Darryl is director of Transit Oriented Development and Real Estate for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority in Atlanta, Georgia. Pat, although a teacher by education, has worked many years as the practice coordinator of our team. Dr. Connelly and Pat enjoy the travel opportunities associated with Dr. Connelly’s schedule as an Academic Leader in Academy for International Medical Study and they have been to many parts of the world. They both enjoy supporting local children’s athletics in Stratford and have been particularly supportive of the PAL and Sterling House children’s athletic programs.

Dr. Connelly feels that continuing education is an essential part of his practice philosophy. At least twice a year, he keeps on the cutting edge of developing techniques and materials as well as the application of advanced procedures. This is part of who we are as a team. We feel it is our responsibility to present these new methods to the public via our participation in health fairs and lectures at local schools and libraries. Our office welcomes students to visit us for career days. We also have an open invitation to other orthodontists both practicing and residents in Connecticut and New York programs to visit and observe the latest techniques.

Dr. Connelly and his wife grew up in Lordship and have recently returned. Living by Long Island Sound is a pleasure. Having a home near the shore line is as close to heaven as one can get!