Dr. John A Havens

Meet Dr. Havens
My name is Dr. John A. Havens. I was born and raised in the DeVeaux section of Niagara Falls, New York and attended local schools, graduating from Niagara Falls High School in 1986. I currently reside in the same section of the city, and enjoy living in a community that has been familiar to me my entire life.
My interest in dentistry goes back to my childhood, as both of my parents were involved in the profession. My late father was trained during World War II as a certified dental technician in the US Army Dental Corps. My mother graduated from the then Erie Technical Institute (now Erie Community College) in 1954 as a Registered Dental Hygienist, and has worked locally for the past 50 years. I clearly recall my interest in traveling to all the local dental offices with my father, or spending time watching my mother at work in her respective office, which fueled my desire to make dentistry my lifelong career choice.
I graduated from the University of Buffalo in 1993 …with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. In 1994 I was accepted into UB Dental School, in the same entering class as my brother and graduated with honors in 1998. My brother and I were very happy to attend dental school together, although during the final two years we were assigned to clinical areas on separate floors of the school, so as not to confuse patients and staff!
Following dental school, I completed a two-year residency and fellowship in Dental Oncology at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo. Here I gained valuable training in all phases of general dentistry, including significant oral surgery experience.
Since my residency, I have practiced dentistry as an associate in several local dental offices, including a year in Youngstown and three years in Wheatfield . I am proud to have joined the highly regarded practice of Dr. John Bonghi in September of 2004 - especially since it has afforded me the opportunity to practice with my twin brother, Todd.
I am a clinical instructor at UB Dental School and find this especially rewarding, as it allows me to interact with and educate the dentists of tomorrow, as well as keeping me current with the latest dental techniques and methods. I also have been a staff dentist at Niagara Falls Memorial Hospital since 2001.
I have been an officer in the United States Army Reserve Dental Corps since September 2000, and was activated with my brother in support of Operation Enduring/Iraqi Freedom for four months in 2004. While stationed at Fort Drum, New York, my brother and I augmented the installation dental staff by providing dental care to deploying and returning US Army and Reserve soldiers. I served with distinction on active duty and consequently was awarded the US Army Achievement and Global War on Terrorism medals following my deployment.
I am currently a member of the American Dental Association, New York State Dental Society, Eighth District Dental Society, Niagara County Dental Society, and a life member of Delta Sigma Delta Dental Fraternity.
Activities I enjoy are hiking in the Niagara River Gorge and the Adirondacks, bicycling, skiing, geocaching, collectibles and spending time with my daughter Nina.
Finally, I am proud to say that I feel my greatest achievement in dentistry is my ability to put my patients at ease and make their experience in the dental office a positive one. I truly understand and appreciate the anxiety that a trip to the dental office can cause for many, and strive to do my utmost to make my patients relaxed and comfortable. The health of the whole body is linked to the health of the mouth, and I feel it is my duty as a professional to do my absolute best for my patients at all times. I heartily welcome new patients and their families into our practice, and I look forward to treating you.
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