Get to know: Joe Baldassano, local endodontist and volunteer

INVERNESS – Dr. Baldassano of Inverness is the treasurer for the Northwest Suburban Branch of the Chicago Dental Society and vice president of the Edgar Coolidge Endodontic Society.

When he is not working at his private practice, Dr. Baldassano volunteers his services to those most in need.

Dr. Baldassano opened up to Barrington Suburban Life reporter Tarah Thorne, sharing the news of his recent fellowship in the American College of Dentists and explained just what it takes to succeed in this profession. The American College of Dentists was founded in 1920 to recognize dentists who have made significant contributions to the advancement of dentistry.

Only 3.5 percent of dentists are awarded fellowship in the American College of Dentists. How long have you been awaiting fellowship?

I was actually taken by surprise because fellowship to the American College of Dentists is by invitation only. As a professional, you do not actively seek out this type of award.

The American College is composed of dentists who have demonstrated leadership and made exceptional contributions to dentistry, the dental profession and society.

What is the difference between being a dentist and being an endodontist?

A dentist completes four years of dental school and practices in all aspects of dental care.

However, an endodontist is a dentist specialist who has completed four years of dental school and then goes on to complete two to three more years in a separate residency program.
   The School of Dentistry was a double-degree program in which I earned a specialty degree in endodontics and a master's degree for completing a research study. I specialize in root canal therapy, retreatment root canal therapy, minor oral trauma (fractured and knocked-out teeth) and all aspects of root canal-related surgery.

When and how did you know that you wanted to go into the dental field?

I knew in high school that I wanted to be a dentist. This career choice was supported by my parents, a supportive family dentist and the strong high school pre-college curriculum I was involved in at that time.

How did your experiences at Loyola and Indiana University differ from each other?

Loyola’s School of Dentistry closed in 1992, several years after I graduated, but I believe Loyola’s mission truly came through in the passion and skill of the dentists having graduated in their program.

Indiana University is the only dental school in the state of Indiana. Therefore, my experience there was very rewarding because we treated complex patients from all over. Indiana was a research and surgical powerhouse.

Where do you work?

I have had my own private specialty practice for the last 21 years at 1616 Colonial Parkway in Inverness (across from Harper College). I also treat U.S. military veterans as a staff endodontist one day a week at Hines Veterans Hospital. I am also on staff at Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington.

What other organizations are you a part of?

The other organizations I belong to are the American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Society, Chicago Dental Society, American Association of Endodontists, College of Diplomates of the American Board of Endodontics, Arcolian Dental Arts Society, American College of Dentists and Knights of Columbus, to name a few.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job? Most challenging?

The most rewarding part of my job is taking a patient that is in severe pain, swollen and anxious, and then at the completion of care, I relieve their pain. I go on to save their tooth, and my patient tells me that root canal treatment is not as bad as everyone told them it would be. I truly love the profession I am in.

The endodontic therapy I perform is under a surgical operating microscope using advanced digital imaging, so most teeth are able to be saved through the skill and advancements I utilize.

The most challenging part of my job is convincing an apprehensive patient that I have the knowledge and skill to care for them in a comfortable manner.

How long have you lived in the area? What excites you about this community?

I have lived in the area for 18 years. What excites me about my community is the parents volunteering to coach our children’s sports teams each year, the selfless individuals involved in the various philanthropic programs – both students and adults from Barrington Giving Day, GiGi’s Playhouse, Relay for Life, Ride for Three Reasons and Code Red, a club my high school junior daughter is involved in that donated Thanksgiving meals to families in need around the Barrington area.

What do you enjoy doing when you are not at work or volunteering?

I enjoy spending time with my wife and two children.  Also, coaching my son’s football team and watching my daughter play high school softball.

In the winter, I like snow skiing with the family and watching the Blackhawks play.

Any New Year’s resolutions? What are your future plans for your career?

My New Years resolution is to not sweat the small things. My future career plans are to continue practicing and to present a few lectures on endodontics at upcoming local and national dental conferences.

I’d like to volunteer again at the Illinois Mission of Mercy caring for under-served patients in need.