Q & A With Dr. Allen

Dr. Jack Allen is considered one of the best orthodontists in Colorado, having been repeatedly recognized as one of 5280's Denver Top Dentists. Originally from Wichita, Kansas, he earned his master's in orthodontics in Kansas City, MO.We sat down with Dr. Allen for a fun Q&A!

Q: What inspired you to become an orthodontist?

A: Well, it's what some might call a "congenital defect." I am the 6th dentist in the family of three generations of dentists however, I am the only specialist. I made the decision to be an orthodontist in about 9th grade. I just thought it was very interesting and immediately I was drawn to it.

Q: What is the most rewarding part of your job?

A: The people that I work with. I am gregarious and I like people. I enjoy the communication and the relationships with patients, and of course the staff. In terms of actual direct rewards, it has to do with the personalities I see. A lot of the personalities of the kids change with time as their teeth get straighter and they develop a better self image of themselves.

Q: What are some of your hobbies?

A: I enjoy mountain biking, snow skiing, fly fishing, hiking and camping occasionally, and home remodeling. I suppose it's not really remodeling, but I just take care of my own house.

Q: If you could eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?

A: King crab without a doubt.

Q: If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?

A: There are a lot of places I would like to go, but probably China and Japan.

Q: Who has had the most influence in your life?

A: My swimming coach in junior high and high school. For him, it wasn't so much about the swimming, but how the kids were as people. He believed teaching morals, ethics, and always being honest and fair with everyone was most important. At that age you're very impressionable, because at my age now most of your habits, morals, and ethics are formed. He never sat there and gave us lectures, he just led by example how to be a good person.

Q: If you could meet any person, dead or alive, who would it be?

A: I would have to say Albert Einstein. He was so incredibly smart and the true definition of a genius. It would be fun to talk to somebody like that. A lot of really smart people have some weird quirks, but it would be interesting to try to get inside that guy's mind a little bit.