After coming to terms with the harsh realization that becoming a semi-professional hotdog-eating champion wasn’t a reality, thankfully I turned my attention to orthodontics!
I’m a long-time Columbia, Missouri native and grew up in Central Missouri. I love what I do and genuinely love serving the communities around Columbia, Missouri.
My wife Crystal and I have 5 children and enjoy spending time together as a family. Of course, they take first priority in my life. In my free time (What free time?!), I love to travel. One day I hope to visit Thailand and take a cooking class while there. I also enjoy spending my time going to sporting events, playing the drums, watching movies, and exercising. I love the Missouri Tigers, Kansas City Chiefs and Royals, but you might also hear me rooting for the St. Louis Cardinals and Blues.
So why become an orthodontist? I know a lot of orthodontists feel they have a life-long calling to the field. But for me, I simply wanted to be in the dental field, and along the way discovered I was really good at orthodontics. I enjoy doing it, and I’m pretty good at it. Is there a better reason?!
I attended the University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri for my undergraduate work. Then I went to dental school at University of Missouri, Kansas City College of Dentistry where I received a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree with high honors. I also earned my Certificate of Specialization and Master of Science degree in orthodontics from the University of Iowa, which has a unique emphasis on surgical-orthodontic treatment.
I also joined the Cleft Lip and Palate Team at the University of Missouri Children’s Hospital in 2006, undergoing training at New York University for nasoalveolar molding. In 2007, I became Board Certified by the American Board of Orthodontics.
I love to learn. I’m serious about bringing new technology into my practice and providing people with not just a better smile, but a better overall experience. With that in mind, we spend time every year attending conferences to improve our practice to give our patients better service.
