About Dr. Bruce Pynn

Dr. Bruce Pynn is the Chief of Dentistry and Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre, where he has practiced for over 30 years. A graduate of the University of Toronto Faculty of Dentistry, he was recognized with the Alumni of Influence award for building a meaningful career in a community where the needs are palpable.

Originally from Toronto, Dr. Pynn came to Thunder Bay for what was supposed to be a short stay. After meeting Dr. Bill Dowhos, the local oral surgeon at the time, he found a kindred spirit and decided to make Northwestern Ontario his home. He has been serving the region ever since, caring for patients across an area the size of France with only a handful of oral surgeons.

The most rewarding aspect of his work is treating trauma patients. Thunder Bay sees up to 10 fractured jaws per week, making it among the busiest services in the province. Dr. Pynn has received requests to care for patients from as far away as Timmins.

Following in the footsteps of his mentor Dr. Dowhos, Dr. Pynn is known for going above and beyond — including making house calls for consultations and post-operative checks. As he puts it: "You have to be helpful, because the next place for big oral surgery in Ontario is Toronto. Not everyone wants to go, so I take the effort to see people and spend time with people."

Beyond his clinical practice, Dr. Pynn teaches at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine, supervises dental students at Confederation College, and travels to Toronto monthly to oversee oral surgery students at the University of Toronto. He is an active speaker on the international stage, presenting at meetings of the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.