Dr. David Skarin is founder of Skarin Orthodontics and inventor of ground-breaking orthodontic technology that advances patient care in ways never before seen in orthodontics. Graduate and former professor of Northwestern Dental School, Dr. Skarin demonstrates his dedication to improving orthodontics for patients and orthodontists, alike.
As a perpetual student and classic “wire-bender” that excels at a wide variety of orthodontic treatment techniques, Dr. Skarin is highly capable of treating even the most complex cases. He believes that each patient’s case is unique and that an orthodontist is responsible for providing the best patient treatment for each individual patient. He values his patients’ trust and, as a result, provides them with various treatment options when evaluating their needs, not applying a “cookie cutter” approach to all.
Every aspect of Dr. Skarin’s office is personal to him. He does not believe in an assembly line approach to orthodontic treatment. Dr. Skarin does all wire placements and adjustments with no chair side assistants, so he gets to know each of his patients personally. This means he develops a comfort level with each patient which makes it easier for them to ask questions or share concerns and feel Dr. Skarin cares. Further, he goes the extra mile to make patients and parents comfortable in these difficult times, with single patients occupying the office at any time and phone consultations with parents after each visit. Dr. Skarin is also the only professional to have physical contact with patients which further minimizes potential health risks through exposure to additional staff.
Dr. Skarin feels his own efforts are rewarded by patients whose beautiful new smiles will make for happier lives. What could be more important than being of benefit to others?
A long-time Naperville resident, Dr. Skarin is a family man who appreciates the benefits of having immediate family nearby. Two grown sons, wife and extended family live locally.
The specialty of orthodontics is different from any other area of dentistry. A player commented to me while umpiring a Chicago Park District softball game that I had two of the worst jobs imaginable: umpiring and dentistry.
I thought about it and realized he was wrong. It is true that many people see the dentist as nothing more than a repair person, managing to fix problems that occur during a lifetime of use. But orthodontics is different. There is a level of appreciation that comes from every person whom I have helped, and the lifetime of smiles speaks volumes. The personality changes that frequently occur in patients who previously would never smile are wonderful to experience and mean everything to me. Knowing I have treated them in ways they would not have experienced elsewhere gives me complete satisfaction.
The personal interaction with each patient is very important to me. I want to get to know each of them well, and the manner in which I practice defines that. I utilize no chairside assistants: all clinical work is performed by me, and only me. I have long felt that if people are paying for my expertise, then they should receive it, all the time. And by being the only individual working on each patient, I develop a comfort level with each patient that cannot be duplicated elsewhere.
I attended Northwestern University in Evanston, IL and received my Bachelor of Arts in 1974 with majors in biology and history. While there, I lettered four years in baseball, two in football, and played in the basketball pep band, all while preparing for a career in dentistry. I received my Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Northwestern University’s Dental School in 1978 and my master’s degree and orthodontic specialty certificate from Northwestern in 1980.
Having been in orthodontic treatment personally for six years and knowing the levels of discomfort patients endure, I continue to explore ways that treatment can be effectively rendered with as little discomfort as possible. This is the basis for the David Doctrine, a personal philosophy that maximizes comfort and results for every patient.
As a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the Midwestern Society of Orthodontists, and the Illinois Society of Orthodontists, I participate in and attend all of the continuing education seminars given throughout the year, as well as review the professional journals published monthly. Every healthcare professional has no higher obligation than to continue to learn in order to provide the best of care to the people who give us the honor of treating them. Being a perpetual student is truly a requirement in order to do that. In addition, I have taught at Northwestern’s Graduate Orthodontic Department for the last 13 years of the school’s existence, and collaborated on many research projects and continued to develop curriculum and techniques that benefited the students I taught as well as the patients I treat.
I am married to Brenda Dudley Skarin, who has a Ph.D. in speech pathology and has a private practice in Naperville. We have two sons: the oldest lives in Texas, has a master’s degree in interactive technologies, and develops video games (the last one he helped develop was game of the year in 2013: The Last of Us, Naught Dog Studios); the youngest just completed a BA and BS in preparation for dental school, but is putting that career on hold while he develops an already impressive golf game.
When I’m not at work, I can be found on a golf course, coaching baseball at all levels, running batting practice for the local high school team, working with the punters and kickers in the summer and fall, on the ski slopes, basketball court, traveling, and doing projects either at home or at the office. I like to keep busy, stay in good shape, and live life to the fullest!
Most of my community involvement is connected with our church, where I continue to serve in many organizational capacities and use my musical abilities to serve in the choir as well as a substitute organist, an important lifetime avocation.
4 N Washington St.
Naperville, IL 60540
630-369-0045
803 N Bridge St.
Yorkville, IL 60560
630-553-5227