Dr. Gary Benson was born in a small town in Central Illinois. He had the freedom to enjoy his childhood on his familys farm. He was allowed the joys of exploring the great outdoors where he began his curiosity for learning how the world works;and when you get to know Gary, you will realize he has a tremendous knowledge of how to solve each and every problem he encounters.This holds true in his passion for dentistry, and inparticular, orthodontics.
Dr. Benson attended college at the University of Illinois, where his parents were both professors, and received his Bachelor of Science in biology in 1991.While in undergraduate school, he was a teaching assistant in chemistry. (Very few people have this assistantship on their resume.)He went to the University of Illinois at Chicago to earn his Bachelor of Science in dental science in 1993, Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 1995, and a Master of Science in histology in 1997.In 1998, Dr. Benson obtained his certificate in orthodontics.
Dr. Benson purchased his current practice from the admired Dr. Robert Youngquist in 1998.He and his wife Dione, our office manager, have devoted their life to their practice.In fact, they initiallypurchased a home within a few blocks from the office, where they still reside.They have two spunky Yorkies, Oliver and Lily, who keep them on their toes.
His close connection to thecommunityhas led to support for local schools and organizations such asCory Elementary, Bromwell Elementary, Graland Country Day School, Rocky MountainSchool ofExpeditionaryLearning, St. Vincent de Paul, Montessori School of Denver, The Richard Lambert Foundation, and The Westernaires Horsecapades, to name a few.
Working and living in the heart of beautiful Denver, enables Dr. Bensonto participate fully in many of his hobbies, includingtrail running/hiking, cycling, skiing, woodworking, and sporting clay competitions.Dr. Benson loves Colorado.
In addition to his private practice and closeness to his community, Dr. Benson is a member of the Elevate Dental Study Club, a local chapter of the Seattle Study Club.The Seattle Study Club is an international network of doctors interested in furthering their knowledge to provide excellent care.
Other memberships include: American Dental Association, Colorado Dental Association, Metropolitan Denver Dental Society, Roth Williams International Society of Orthodontics, Pierre Fauchard Academy, and American College of Dentists. Dr. Bensons memberships in these dental associations help him to stay current on the latest and most scientifically based technologies to incorporate in his practice.
We are especially interested in making all our patients feel right at home! We aim to provide energetic and fun-loving service to each patient, and we put your needs first to achieve efficient and comprehensive treatment.
Our staff is trained and skilled, and each member of our team has years of experience in treating patients with the highest level of care. We strive to stay abreast of the very latest in technology and advances by regularly attending continuing education courses and seminars.
Dione Benson, our office manager, is the eyes and ears of this practice.She was born and raised in Urbana, Illinois, where she was adopted at birth.She was a gift in every way to her parents and grandparents. Dionealways had more energy and zeal for life than her parents could have ever imagined.She accomplishes more in a single day than most people do in a week!
Dione attended the University of Illinois in Champaign, where she obtained her bachelors degree.After undergraduate school, she moved to Chicago and was assistant director of a huge childcare facility, a nanny, married Dr. Benson, then went back to school at the University of Illinois at Chicago and obtained her duel masters in business administration and public health.After graduationin 1998, she and Dr. Benson moved to Denver and began their private practice, Benson Orthodontics.
The Bensons were drawn to Colorado for its weather, great views, and endless activities.Dione began running in 2003 and since then, she has completed 40half marathons and 12marathons.She practices yoga to gain peace and solitude in her busy life.She often attends live sporting events and really loves to travel home to Illinois to enjoy the fun of U of I football games and visit family and friends.
Dione is a global traveler and attempts to travel to a unique part of the world at least once ayear.Two loves in her life are her twoenergetic Yorkshire Terriers, Oliver and Lily, whom she and Gary take on their weekend hikes and runs.
Financials, scheduling, and overall problem-solving areDiones areas of expertise.She would like to be referred to as Front Desk Goddess but we refuse:Someone has to keep her grounded!However, we do appreciate her and her abilityto keep things moving forward.
Stefanie Breedlove, our clinical orthodontic assistant, joined us in June 2016. Prior to joining our team, Stefanie was a dental assistant for eightyears. She worked in endodontics, general dental, and orthodontics (which is her favorite, of course).Before she started in the dental world, she worked in many interesting fields, including low voltage wiring for Media Logix and home construction.
Stefanie has a busy life outsideour practice. Her three children Tess, Ady, and Josiah keep her on her toes at all times and are the loves of her life. She is very active and enjoys running in footraces and hiking/climbing Colorado 14ers. Mount Evans was her eighth, which she just completed in the summer of 2019 with Gary and Dione Benson; they started several hours before dawn. Stefanie also loves to cook. Her children prefer vegetables to any other foods. One look at Stefanie, and you will understand that eating healthy is her priority for herself and her family.
Stefanie spent half of her childhood in Omaha, then her family moved to Denver when she was 8 years old.She truly loves working, and it is apparent every day when she shows up with a positive attitude and always has something funny to say to make us all crack up.We are happy to have her here at Benson Orthodontics.
Katherine joined Benson Orthodontics in November 2011. She is thrilled toassistin Dr. Bensons efforts to connect and interact with the best dental offices in the Denver Metro area. Katherineloves working at Benson Orthodontics because it allows herto build relationshipsand educateother dental offices about theexcellent care Benson Orthodonticsprovides topatients.
Before coming to Benson Orthodontics, Katherinespent 12 years raising a family and volunteering at herchildrens schools:Saint Vincent de Paul, Regis Jesuit, and Saint Marys Academy. Herfavorite volunteer job has been chairing the live auction for SVdPsannual gala.Theyraise hundreds of thousands of dollars each year for the school to perform at its highest ability.
Katherine has a BA fromWillamette University in Oregon, and herprior work experience includes positions in sales and marketing. For many years, sheworked in sales and management forNordstrom in the Pacific Northwest. Katherinewas recruited to work at a Denver-based company, Osmotics, where shewas the national sales manager and national trainer. Her accountsincluded:Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Harrods. Shenever thought shewould give up working, but when her first childwas born, shefelt fortunate to stay at home to raise her family.
Katherine is afifth-generation native ofColorado. Sheenjoys skiing, photography, entertaining, and traveling with herfamily, which includes herhusbandTom, and three beautiful children:Max, Emma, and Mary Kate. Theyalso have twoadorable Goldendoodle dogs, Piper andTrevi, who arethe family mascots. Katherine loves working with Dr. Benson.There is no question that she believes he is outstanding at what he does!
With a combined 75years of experience in orthodontics, our staff is well prepared to provide excellent care. Our goals for you include a well-functioning bite and a beautiful smile. Function and long-term health are our main concern, with beauty being the icing on the cake.Without a stable bite and jaw position, our aesthetic result is hard to maintain. Dr. Benson takes great pride in his work and plans for long-term success with every patient.There are no exceptions.
Dr. Benson pays particular attention to dental age and does not start a child too early. Our treatment mechanics, bracket placement, and an efficient system to monitor treatment progress all combine to complete treatment during the estimated time with the best possible final results.
Our planning and mechanics benefit adults too. Dr. Benson has developed creative solutions forproblems that others could not solve. His strong science background gives him an advantage and the tools to think outside the box.