Our Staff
University Dental Associates has the best dental care in the Chicago area. With experienced experts in more than eight different dental specialties, we can take care of all of your needs. For a high-end quality dental implant in Chicago or other related services, our practice is the premiere choice.

Our general Chicago dentists attend to all routine and cosmetic needs including tooth colored fillings, teeth whitening, cosmetic veneers, crowns and bridges, and any non-surgical periodontal therapy. Dr. Joseph Toljanic, the Section Chief at the University of Chicago Hospital, is a board certified Prosthodontist who specializes in implant restorations for missing teeth. Our Endodontist, Periodontist, and Oral Surgeon take care of the periodontal and surgical needs of all our patients.

Joseph A. Toljanic, DDS

  • Board Certified Prosthodontist - The Chief of Dentistry, University of Chicago Hospital.
  • D.D.S. from Loyola University School of Dentistry.
  • Fellowship status and on the Board of Directors in a number of dental specialty organizations.
  • Teaches implant dentistry to other dental professionals and has one of the most active clinical research programs for dental implants in Chicagoland.
  • Dr. Toljanic's professional mission is to provide the very best "cutting edge" care in implant dentistry currently available to all of his patients.

 

 

Barbara Traina , DDS

  • Graduated with a bachelor's degree in Biology University of Arkansas 1982
  • Graduated with a Doctor of Dental Surgery university of North Carolina Chapel Hill , 1989
  • Residency - advanced General Dentistry - 1990, orthodontic mini residency 2003
  • Former Clinical Associate -department of Dentistry- University of Chicago 2005 to present
  • Former Dentist on craniofacial and cleft palate team - University of Chicago 2005-2007
  • Former Hospital staff Dentist for University of Chicago and Larabida Children's Hospitals
  • Former Clinical Director for the Ronal McDonald and University of Chicago mobile dental unit.
  • Private practice form 1989 present (joined University Dental Associates in 2006)
  • Member of Chicago Dental Society and Society for Dentistry for the Handicapped
  • Extensive experience with handicapped and medically compromised patients, Cosmetic Dentistry, Pediatrics, and Geriatrics.
  • Special interest in doing "smile makeovers" for her clients.
  • Pediatric advanced Life support and Basic life support certified
  • Married with 2 children, came to Chicago in 1990 with husband Todd (Chicago Native), loved to travel, is a history buff, enjoys gardening, the theater, and the opera.

 

 

Jason Grinter

  • Graduated in 2004 from University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, completed one yar residency at Illinois Masonic Medical Center in Chicago. There I focused onwide range of cases including implant dentistry, special needs care for the disabled. comprehensive cosmetic restorative cases and ER treatment of emergencies.
  • After residencal took a position as Dental Director for a non-profit dental office in Rockford, IL.
  • Currently working toward obtaining Masters in Public Health at UIC.
  • Interest include: yoga, traveling.

 

Rajan Sharma, DDS

  • Board Certified Endodontist.
  • Graduate and Masters in Endodontics from Case Western Reserve University, 1991
  • Michael Reese Hospital General Dental Residency Instructor.
  • Member of Chicago Dental Society, Illinois Dental Society, American Dental Association, American Association of Endodontics.
  • Married with three children residing in Oakbrook. Hobbies include golfing and flying.
  • Dr. Sharma, with over 18 years of experience in the dental field, uses his expertise to perform painless and efficient root canals helping patients save teeth every day.

 

 
Deval Shah
  • Enjoys doing esthetic cases including all porcelain veneers and crowns.
  • General Dentistry, Invisalign, Bridges.
  • Enjoys working with kids.

 

 
Kelly McLeod
  • Originally from Michigan. Graduated from the University of Michigan school of dentistry.
  • Enjoys all aspects of General Dentistry especially cosmetics and working with children.
  • Adjunct professor in pediatric clinical dentistry through the University of Illinois in Chicago.
  • Enjoys working with her hards and the artistic aspects of creating a beautiful small.
  • Enjoys cooking, reading, and running by the lake.

 

 
Catherine Rhim
  • Completed BA in Psychology from the University of Chicago in 1996 and her DMS degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 2001.
  • Associated in various private practices and volunteered in community programs providing oral cancer screenings to the elderly in nursing homes and dental exams and toothprints on underpriviledged children.
  • Member of the Chicago Dental Society, Illinois Dental Society and American Dental Association.
  • Enjoys ethnic dining, travelling, live theater, and spending quality time with her two year old daughter.

 

 
Serif Mekhail
  • Received his Master degree in Oral Biology from the Medical University of Ohio.
  • After graduation from New York University College of Dentistry in 2002 he completed his specialty training in Oral and Maxillofacial surgery at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
  • Main interests are dental implants and reconstructive surgery.
  • Participated in humanitarian mission in Mexico for surgical correction of cleft lip and palate

 

 
Fuwad al-Sabek
  • Earned DDS from Damascus University, Syria in 1998
  • Endodontic certificate State University of New York at Buffalo in 2001
  • Masters of Science State University of New York at Buffalo in 2003
  • DMD University of Pittsburgh, PA in 2005
  • Enjoys table tennis, soccer, video and computer games, and watching movies.