Dr. McTavish received his Bachelor's degree from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating in 1995. He then earned his Doctorate of Dental Medicine from The University of Pennsylvania in 2000, where he was awarded The Pharmacology and Therapeutics Achievement Award and The Dental Radiology Award. After serving four years as a Dental Officer in the United States Navy, Dr. McTavish furthered his dental education by completing a two and a half year orthodontic residency at Temple University, earning a Master of Science degree in Oral Biology in 2006.
Dr. McTavish is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the Mid-Atlantic Society of Orthodontists, and the Seneca Study Group. He is active in the community, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and the Appalachian Trail Club. He enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, canoeing, camping and skiing, as well as music. Dr. McTavish loves spending time with his family and friends.
Orthodontics is fun! Most of our patients tell us that their treatment was easier than expected. The braces and other appliances used today are much smaller and more comfortable than they were in the past. We are excited about orthodontics, and we love what we do.
We believe it is especially important that we explain the orthodontic treatment process so our patients and their parents know what to expect before each visit. In fact, we use a technique called 'Tell, Show, Do'. The procedure is first explained, we then Show how it will be performed, and then we Do the procedure. Often, we will use short videos to demonstrate specific appliances and procedures. Before and during treatment, we provide complete verbal and written instructions to both the patient and parent(s). We review brushing, flossing, food guidelines, and other helpful information.