I was committed to providing quality orthodontic treatment while exceeding my patients and parents expectations with fantastic results. While I have a strong focus on clinical excellence, I also enjoy helping both children and adults have a positive and fun orthodontic experience. It is very rewarding to enhance my patients lives with a beautiful smile!
I earned my Bachelor of Science from North Carolina A&T State College; my major was in biology with a pre-med concentration. I also took advanced Air Force ROTC and after graduation entered the U.S. Air Force and earned my pilots wings.
After leaving the Air Force, I attended graduate school at the University of Iowa with a concentration in human physiology. I then left graduate school for a seat in the dental class at Meharry Medical College where I obtained my Doctorate of Dental Surgery.
After graduation from dental school, I entered a post-graduate program in orthodontics at the University of Illinois, and graduated in 1969. Then I entered the private practice of orthodontics and taught part-time at the University of Illinois for approximately ten years. I maintained a private practice for 42 years and retired in 2011.
I am a native of eastern North Carolina, where I grew up on a farm. I now reside on the south side of Chicago where I have lived for the past 40 years with my wife, Irma. We have two adult children: a daughter Deana and her husband Ben, and a son, David. Since retiringI enjoy reading, visiting the farm, and fishing.
Orthodontics has blessed me. It is enjoyable to go to work each day, looking forward to meeting the challenges and helping our patients through the life-changing practice of orthodontia. The diversity of my patients, with their unique treatment needs, make my days interesting and keeps me from becoming complacent.
I followed in the footsteps of my uncle, Dr. Elisha Greenfield, in deciding to become an orthodontist. Seeing the relationships he develops with his patients, and the way he is able to help people change their lives through treatment, was very inspiring. I knew I wanted to do the same. For me, the positive effects of a corrected smile in a persons life are what I most appreciate about my work. It is amazing that I can bring about such positive, lifelong transformations for my patients.
I am committed to continual learning about new developments in orthodontics. Only by staying on the leading edge am I able to provide my patients with the best care available, and they truly deserve the best. I attend meetings of the Illinois Society of Orthodontists and the Chicago Dental Society, as well as annual meetings sponsored by the American Association of Orthodontists.
I am a native of eastern North Carolina, a region known for barbecue pork and tobacco fields, but have lived in the Chicagolandarea for more than 25 years. My wife Michelle and I have been married since 1998 and we have one daughter, Lorielle. Away from work, youll find me delving into a good book, riding motorcycles, bicycling, going fishing, and gardening.
I attend All Nations Community Church in Homewood, and am a member of the church health committee. I volunteer my services to our community through health fairs sponsored by my church and at my daughters school, as well.
It brings me great satisfaction to provide beautiful smiles for my patients. I know the difference having a healthy bite and a wonderful smile can make in a persons life; they improve ones physical and emotional health. Seeing patients self-confidence begin to emerge and their whole way of interacting with the world change as their new smile is created, is truly amazing. Being a part of that process, knowing that their lives will be better because of the work weve accomplished, is extremely rewarding.
I believe it is important that every oral healthcare professional keeps learning once he or she has completed formal, degreed education. We have an obligation to our patients to seek continuing education offerings, and understand developing technologies and treatment processes, in order to provide our patients with the most proven orthodontic options. In order to increase my knowledge and skills, I regularly attend orthodontic and dental conferences, lectures, and meetings.
I love the interaction with our patients and their families. Getting to know them, hearing their stories and all about their adventures, and becoming real friends while they move through the treatment process, are all rewarding aspects of my work here. My duties include setting up the treatment areas for the doctor to perform services and providing assistance while the doctor is caring for our patient. I also sterilize and disinfect our instruments and equipment.
I love knowing that my work helps a patient develop a great, healthy smile that will make his or her life better. Its so rewarding to be able to make positive change in someones life. I prepare appliances and retainers during and after treatment, pour impressions, and prepare beginning study models and retention models. I also keep our laboratory clean.