Dr. Jennifer K. Hargleroad, DDS MS

 

Dr. Hargleroad is a native of west central Nebraska.  Upon graduation, she moved to Des Moines, Iowa and attended Drake University.  She transferred to Colorado State University after that first year and obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences in December of 1994. At Colorado State, she was actively involved in student government, Greek Life, and her senior year was selected as a Pacesetter during the homecoming festivities. She also began to work for the City of Fort Collins’ pools at this time.

After graduation from college, Dr. Hargleroad taught a lot of kiddos in Northern Colorado how to swim! She also spent some time as a nanny in Colorado Springs.

 

Dr. Hargleroad returned to Nebraska to attend dental school at the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry in Lincoln, NE. During dental school, she made numerous trips to Honduras to provide dental care in free clinics to underprivileged children. She began working in a pediatric dental office on Saturday providing preventative services to patients in a faculty member’s private practice. During dental school, she was awarded the American Society of Dentistry for Children’s Award for her interest in pediatric dentistry, was the president of the American Women’s Dental Association, and obtained the Dental Materials Excellence Award. She graduated summa cum laude with her dental degree.

Following dental school, Dr. Hargleroad moved to Ohio for her specialty training in pediatric dentistry at The Ohio State University and Nationwide Children’s Hospital. It is one of the few pediatric dental training programs which offers a Master’s Degree in addition to a certificate in the field. Her research, and subsequent thesis, was in regards to adolescent females, dental erosion, and the risk of long bone fractures. She, again, worked nights and weekends in a pediatric dental clinic.

 

Dr. Hargleroad was an associate in a pediatric dental practice in Overland Park, KS after completing her residency. During this time, she obtained her Kansas Pediatric Dentistry specialty license and participated in multiple Kansas Mission of Mercy projects, which provided free dental services on a first come/first serve basis. She has continued to be involved with several of these projects here in Colorado.

 

In May 2005, Dr. Hargleroad returned to Fort Collins and has been practicing pediatric dentistry here ever since. Her original office was near Poudre Valley Hospital and was relocated to its current location in February 2009. In 2006, she received her board certification from the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She is an adjunct faculty member at Children’s Hospital Colorado. She has also been the pediatric dentist on the University of Colorado North’s Cleft Lip and Palate Clinic since 2009. She has served on numerous hospital and health district committees to help improve the access and care of pediatric and special health care needs dental patients in Northern Colorado. She participates in both Give Kids a Smile Day and Project Smile. She continues to be an advocate for children’s access to oral health care. Most recently, she has been selected by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry oral board examination consultant and examiner.

 

Dr. Hargleroad and her husband, Deems, have thoroughly enjoyed calling Fort Collins home. They have twin boys, Alex and Ben, and a daughter, Jane. Most of her free time is devoted to spending time with her family, traveling with them and coordinating all of their activities. She does find some free time to read, sew, bake and enjoy our beautiful Colorado backyard!