Meet Dr. Paul Halgren

Following high school in Wenatchee, Dr. Paul Halgren began his 11 ½ year process to become an Orthodontist. He attended Gonzaga University, in Spokane, for his undergraduate degree. While at Gonzaga he played Rugby and was his class president. Dr. Halgren graduated from Gonzaga and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. He moved to Omaha, Nebraska to attend Creighton University’s School of Dentistry and received his Doctorate in Dental Surgery. Dr. Halgren spent 2 months in rural Dominican Republic during dental school providing dental care for the underprivileged. Saint John’s Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis, Missouri trained Dr. Halgren in hospital-based dentistry. As a Dental Resident, he spent time on rotations including Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, Anesthesiology, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care Medicine and Pediatric Plastic Surgery (Craniofacial). From St. John’s Mercy he obtained a certificate of completion in hospital trained dentistry. Following his General Practice Residency at St. John’s Mercy Medical Center in St. Louis, Dr. Halgren continued his education at Saint Louis University’s Center for Advanced Dental Education. Dr. Halgren graduated from St. Louis University with a Master’s degree in the Science of Dentistry and a Certificate in Orthodontics. During his orthodontic residency, Dr. Halgren acted as the president of his class for the 30 month duration of the program and was awarded the Uchiyama-Truetzel award for excellence in wire bending. Dr. Halgren’s thesis defense for, “The Influence of Mandibular Deformation on Chin Form,” was granted a Master’s degree with Distinction. Dr. Halgren joined the orthodontic practice of Dr. Wayne Wilskie, who had served the Skagit valley and Island counties since 1976. Dr. Wilskie retired in the fall of 2005. Dr. Halgren is a board certified orthodontist who is a member of many professional dental and social organizations including the American Association of Orthodontists, the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics, the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, the American Dental Association, Seattle Study Club, Mount Baker District Dental Society and Skagit Rotary. As technology develops so too does the practice. Traditional braces with heat-activated memory wires, self-ligating braces, ceramic braces, Invisalign aligners, and i-braces – braces on the tongue side for maximum esthetic and functional control are currently offered at Halgren Orthodontics. Every patient differs in functional complexity and esthetic necessity. For that reason all patients are invited for a complementary examination to discuss future interests and recommendations for optimal appliance selection. Dr. Halgren is a board certified orthodontist who believes in a comprehensive approach to his patients’ oral health. Excellent communication between the patient, staff, orthodontist and general dentist is requisite to outstanding orthodontic results. Patient comfort is the goal of Dr. Halgren. If you have questions or concerns, always feel free to ask the doctor.