Meet Dr. Julio Obando
Dr. Julio Obando, originally from San Jose, Costa Rica, earned his Doctor in Dental Surgery from the University of Costa Rica. While in dental school, he served as a Teacher Assistant in Head and Neck Anatomy, acted as a Student Assembly Representative, and led as President of the Association of Dental Students. He also pursued Business Administration studies at the Hispanoamerican University of Costa Rica.
Following four years of general dentistry practice with a focus on restorative procedures, Dr. Obando shifted his path toward his true interests—periodontics, surgery, implants, and research. He joined the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) for a Periodontal Post-doctor Externship, which led to a Research Scholar position studying the Genetic Basis of Gingival and Periodontal Pathologies. He later completed his Periodontal Residency and earned a Master in Oral Sciences at UIC.
Dr. Obando is certified in IV sedation and holds board certification as a Diplomate in Periodontology and Dental Implant Surgery by the American Academy of Periodontology. A contributor to the 2019 textbook Advances in Periodontal Surgery, he continues to publish and conduct research within his private practice.
Personal Background
Outside the clinic, Dr. Obando enjoys tennis, beach vacations, and time with his wife and family.
Certifications & Associations
Dr. Obando is an active member of the following professional organizations :
Board-Certified Diplomate – Periodontology
Board-Certified Diplomate – Dental Implant Surgery
Certified in IV Sedation
Member – American Academy of Periodontology
Member – American Dental Association
Member – Texas Dental Association
Member – Dallas County Dental Society
Member – Costa Rican National Dental Association
American Board of Periodontology
Education
Doctor in Dental Surgery – University of Costa Rica
Licentiate in Dentistry – University of Costa Rica
Periodontal Post-doctor Externship – University of Illinois at Chicago
Post-doctoral Fellow in Research – Genetic Basis of Periodontal Pathologies – UIC
Periodontal Residency – University of Illinois at Chicago
Master in Oral Sciences – University of Illinois at Chicago
Certificate in Moderate IV Sedation – University of Illinois at Chicago
- Business Administration Studies – University of Costa Rica
Dr. Obando’s Academic Achievements
- Thesis Master’s defense: Evaluation of the Clinical Utility and Validity of IL SNPs as Genetic markers for Periodontitis (University of Illinois at Chicago)
- 2nd Place for Poster presentation: Assessment of the Clinical Validity and Clinical Utility ofIL SNPs as Predictors for Periodontitis
- Head and Neck Anatomy Teacher Assistant for Post-Graduate Programs (University of Illinois at Chicago)
- Poster presentation: Systemic Sclerosis (scleroderma) and a periodontally involved patient: a case report (University of Illinois at Chicago)
- Poster presentation: Assessment of the Clinical Validity and Clinical Utility of IL SNPs as Predictors for Periodontitis (University of Illinois at Chicago)
- IADR 44th Annual Meeting,, Poster Presentation: Efficacy and Efficiency of SNPs as a Genetic Test for Periodontitis
- IADR 43th Annual Meeting,, Poster Presentation: IL-6 SNP rs1800795 Is A Poor Genetic Test For Periodontitis
- Poster presentation: Assessment of Damaging SNPs in Aggressive Periodontitis Associated Genes
- DDS thesis defense: Anterior-Posterior Dimensional (University of Costa Rica)
- President of Dental Student Association (University of Costa Rica)
- Academic Excellence Scholarship (University of Costa Rica)
