Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Ogbonna Bowden.
A Chicago native, Dr. Bowden grew up in Chicago’s Englewood community. He is one of nine children. He attended Chicago State University where he received his undergraduate degree in Chemistry with a Biochemistry option. While attending CSU, he served as an Organic Chemistry tutor. He also developed the first ever Pre-Dental Club at the University. While completing his undergraduate studies, Dr. Bowden conducted research at Northwestern University, focusing on “The Synthesis of Cationic Lipids for Non-Viral Therapeutic Application”.
He went on to receive his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Michigan and was voted the Vice-President of his class. After dental school, Dr. Bowden returned to Chicago to treat the underserved community. During the first 5 years of his career, Dr. Bowden worked in public health serving as Dental Director for three of those years. Dr. Bowden has completed hundreds of hours of courses in postgraduate dentistry. He is dedicated to the newest advancements in dentistry and keeps up-to-date with the latest technologies.
In 2013, he opened Woodlawn Dental Gallery (WDG) in one of Chicago’s most underserved communities. WDG brings the most advanced technology and treatment in dentistry to the Woodlawn/Hyde Park community. It is Dr. Bowden’s belief that all people, no matter their socioeconomic status, should receive the most advanced dental care available.
In March 2015, Dr. Bowden expanded his practice to Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood opening Chatham Dental Gallery (CDG). While looking to expand, he was presented with various opportunities to open his office in some of the city’s more prominent neighborhoods such as the South Loop and Lincoln Park. However, Dr. Bowden was committed to his vision of providing state of the art treatment in the city’s underserved communities.
Continuing with his passion to help the community he loves, in 2017 he expanded his practice to include a Mobile Dentistry aspect with the opening of Smiles of Tomorrow, LTD. This mobile unit travels to daycares in underserved communities throughout the city and suburbs providing exams, cleanings, and screenings at no cost to the children or schools. This practice is very important to Dr. Bowden because he understands that tooth decay is the most common chronic disease affecting our children. In addition to this, oral diseases have been linked to diabetes, heart and lung disease, as well as ear and sinus infections. Low-income children are the most likely to go without dental care causing them to miss over 51 million hours of school each year.
He is also committed to giving back to the community. Last year, Woodlawn Dental Gallery donated 150 book bags filled with school supplies to children in the Woodlawn area. Dr. Bowden also held a back to school fair at his Chatham office where he gave free dental exams to 100 children. He is also passionate about helping African-American students pursue a career in dentistry. Each year, Dr. Bowden has 10 students are who applying to dental school come into his office and shadow him. He takes them” under his wing” assisting them with everything from studying for the DAT (Dental School Admissions Test) to helping them prepare for dental school interviews.
Dr. Bowden has also been a role model for two of his younger brothers. One of his brothers, Akintunde, graduated from dental school in 2014 and is now practicing in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. His youngest brother, Adeniji, is in his final year of dental school and plans to become an Oral Surgeon.
He is a standing member of the American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Society and the Chicago Dental Society, where he is the President of the Hyde Park-Kenwood branch. Dr. Bowden also serves on the Illinois State Dental Society’s New Dentist Committee.
When Dr. Bowden is not practicing dentistry, he spends most of his time with his lovely family and mentoring youth. He also enjoys reading, cycling and cooking.
Has it been a smooth road?
Life is is full of challenges, It requires you to work hard, be disciplined, learn from your mistakes and manage your time well. The most important thing I kept in mind throughout my up childhood, undergrad, dental school and beyond were my goals. Being focused on my goals of becoming a dentist motivated me to do my best throughout all my years of schooling and in my career.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Smiles of Tomorrow – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
After spending the first 5 years of my career working in the public health sector, where I promoted to Dental Director, I then felt it was time to move forward with my dream of opening my own practice. I opened My Dental Gallery (formerly Woodlawn Dental Gallery) to bring the most advanced technology and treatment in dentistry to the Woodlawn/Hyde Park community. I aim to make my patients feel confident with our services as we proudly provide a state-of-the-art Chicago dental facility and utilize the newest technology. At My Dental Gallery, it is our goal to provide our patients with the highest quality dental care.
As My Dental Gallery was growing and striving, I knew there was more I could be doing to help the local community as a dentist. In 2017 I decided to expand my practice even more. This expansion was not an actual dental facility like my other locations, my newest endevr was a mobile dentistry service: Smiles of Tomorrow, LTD. Smiles of Tomorrow mobile unit travels to daycares in underserved communities throughout the city and suburbs, to provide exams, cleanings and screenings, all free of charge. Smiles of Tomorrow caters to low-income children in the Chicagoland area most likely to go without dental care. I am always looking for more daycares in underserved communities who may benefit from my services. Every child deserves healthy, clean, pearly whites.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I like the sense of community I feel in my city. I am a South Side Chicagoan through and through. I love to be able to reflect back on my upbringing and childhood and see how far we have come as a city ad the growth the Southside has experienced. Chicago has been good to me and I plan to continue to return the favor by giving back in any way I can.
Contact Info:
- Address:1502 E 63rd St, Chicago, IL 60637
- Website:http://www.mydentalgallery.com/
- Phone:(773) 496-5138
- Email:drbowden@wdgsmile.com
- Instagram:@mydentalgallery
- Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/MyDentalGallery/
Contact Info:
- Address: 1502 E 63rd St, Chicago, IL 60637
- Website: http://www.mydentalgallery.com/
- Phone: (773) 496-5138
- Email: elana@mywhyagency.com
- Instagram: @mydentalgallery
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyDentalGallery/
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
