Orthodontist – Castle Rock, CO

Meet Dr. Dan

I was raised on a large dairy farm in the Finger Lakes Region of New York. My grandfather started our farm during the Great Depression, my father continued its growth, and my two brothers currently run the farm. Throughout most of my childhood we raised about 500 -1200 cows (which has since grown to about 4500!), and it was an amazing way to be raised. Caring for animals every day is difficult but rewarding, and it certainly taught me the value of hard work and empathy.

I loved many things about the way I grew up, but as anyone who was raised on a farm will tell you, you just know if it is your calling or not. Although I returned to our farm after graduating from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in 1992, I wanted to pursue a career that involved my interest in science, and my skills in art and design. Ever since I can remember I was drawing and creating in my free time. Along with the sciences, I studied studio art extensively at Hobart, which helped develop my sense of composition, design and color theory. I applied to Parson’s School of Design in New York City, was accepted, and continued to study art and design. It was at this time that I discovered the career that uses both science and art…Dentistry! I worked as a dental assistant as my wife and I finished our time in New York City (she was getting her Masters in social work), and was accepted into the School of Dentistry at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.

Michigan was an amazing experience, and I became fascinated with the specialty of orthodontics. I graduated in 2003, and earned my Doctor of Dental Surgery. I then attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI for my residency in orthodontics. I graduated and earned my Masters in Orthodontics 2007, and have been a practicing orthodontic specialist since. I have been Board Certified by the American Board of Orthodontics since 2007, and passed my Certification Renewal in 2013 and 2022. I am a strong advocate of maintaining board certification both for my own development and for the level of detail and quality that it demands of me to pass on to my patients. I am currently serving as one of eight Directors of the American Board of Orthodontics until 2030, representing the Rocky Mountain Society of Orthodontics.

Personally, I am married to my high school sweetheart, Julie. She is also from rural upstate New York, and we chose to live in Castle Rock for its small town feel and sense of community that we love. We have four children: Caroline, Peter, Vivian and Nina, who all attend school here in Castle Rock. We adopted three of our children from Russia and China, and the adoption experience and travel to these two countries has positively transformed our lives, and made us aware of just how lucky we are!

I remain heavily involved in the arts, oil painting whenever I can (especially local and agricultural landscapes). We encourage our patients to be creative, and we love displaying their artwork on our walls. I am an avid mountain biker, skier, and like to golf whenever I can. I also love cooking- I read cookbooks like novels and am a total foodie (the scale says a bit too much of one!). Most importantly, I get to use my skills and passions to do something I love. Orthodontics is an art, and I am lucky to be practicing and serving our community here in Castle Rock!

Doctor of Dental Surgery, University of Michigan Ann Arbor

Masters in Orthodontics, Marquette University