Meet Dr. Julio Obando
Dr. Julio Obando was born and raised in San Jose, Costa Rica. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Costa Rica. During his dental studies, he served as a Teaching Assistant for Head and Neck Anatomy, represented students as a Student Assembly Representative, and held the position of President of the Association of Dental Students. Additionally, he pursued studies in Business Administration at the Hispanoamerican University of Costa Rica.
After practicing as a General Dentist for four years and gaining extensive experience in restorative dentistry, he decided to focus on his true passion—research, surgery, periodontics, and dental implants.
Dr. Obando was accepted into a Post-Doctoral Externship Program at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). Following the completion of this program, he worked as a Research Scholar at UIC, where he studied the genetic basis of gingival and periodontal diseases. Upon completing his research tenure, he entered UIC’s Periodontal Residency Program and earned a Master’s in Oral Sciences. Dr. Obando is a board-certified Diplomate in Periodontology and a board-certified Diplomate in Dental Implant Surgery through the American Academy of Periodontology. He is also certified in IV sedation.
In addition to his clinical practice, Dr. Obando has authored multiple research papers and continues conducting research in his private practice. He also contributed to the 2019 textbook Advances in Periodontal Surgery.
Personal Background
In his free time, Dr. Obando enjoys tennis, traveling, and spending time with his family.
Certifications & Associations
Dr. Obando is an active member of the following professional organizations :
- American Academy of Periodontology
- American Board of Periodontology
- Dallas County Dental Society
- Texas Dental Association
- American Dental Association
- Costa Rican National Dental Association
Education
- 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)
- Post-doctoral Fellow in Research of Genetics Basis in Gingival and Periodontal
Pathologies (University of Illinois at Chicago) - Periodontal Post-doctor Externship Program (University of Illinois at Chicago)
- Licentiate in Dentistry (University of Costa Rica)
- Doctor in Dental Surgery (University of Costa Rica)
- 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)
