Education 

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Dr. Dara Chira grew up in Wellesley, Massachusetts. She attended Tufts University and received her B.S. degree in Biology in 1985. Upon deciding to pursue a career in orthodontics, Dr. Chira made an early commitment in her education to achieve a level above and beyond. She earned her Doctorate in Dental Medicine in 1993 from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and received her Certificate in Orthodontics in 1995 from NYU College of Dentistry. During 1998, Dr. Chira completed an advanced 2-year program in occlusion and TMJ from the Roth/Williams Center in Functional Occlusion.  Dr. Chira is trained not only in comprehensive restorative orthodontics but she is also a trained and practicing surgical and non-surgical acceleratory orthodontist. After a few years of working as an associate in Massachusetts, Dr. Chira pursued her professional dream and opened her orthodontic practice in Burlington, Vermont in 1999.

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Less than 25% of orthodontists become Board Certified. As a seeker of knowledge devoted to a path of higher orthodontic care, Dr. Chira joined the elite few and in March 2006 became the only Board Certified female orthodontist in Vermont.With this achievement, Dr. Chira has earned the status of Diplomate and is a member of the American Board of Orthodontists College of Diplomates.

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Continuing her commitment to education and to providing the very best health care to her patients, Dr. Chira recently completed an Arnett/Gunson Facial Reconstruction Course in Orthodontics and Orthognathic Surgery following her completion of courses in comprehensive Orthognathic Bioesthetic Rehabilitation for Restorative Dentists and Orthodontists. This approach involves a comprehensive evaluation of the entire chewing system. It regards the teeth, jaw joints, bones, nerves, muscles, lips, tongue, mouth and the face as a collective system rather than individual parts. Equilibrium between all these oral structures allows the creation of a natural, youthful looking smile and promotes the maintenance of a healthy chewing system that will provide a lifetime of optimal comfort, function and beauty. 

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Professional Affiliations and Accomplishments

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Dr. Chira is an active member in the dental community. During 2016, Dr. Chira was appointed the title Clinical Assistant Professor at the Boston University School of Dentistry Postdoctoral Orthodontic Residency Program and subsequently taught a course in “Design Evolution: from Centric Splint to Esthetic Bio- MAGO”. She also regularly co-presents her treatment approach alongside Dr. Jeffrey McClendon and Dr. Michael Gunson. Additionally, Dr. Chira has been a Guest Lecturer for the UVM General Dentistry Residency Program, has served as President of the Champlain Valley Dental Society, and currently serves as Treasurer of the Roth/Williams International Society of Orthodontists. 

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As a respected and celebrated leader in orthodontics, Dr. Chira has been invited to speak not only across the United States but also abroad. During 2004, Dr. Chira was invited to speak on behalf of the Roth/Williams International Society of Orthodontists at the first Women’s Orthodontic Conference on Functional Occlusion in San Paolo, Brazil. She returned as an invited guest speaker during 2013 for the same event. Recognized as a leader in her field, Dr. Chira was also asked to provide a webinar presentation, “Introduction to Bioesthetic Dentistry and Goal-Directed Orthodontics: a Case Study”, to the Thai Orthodontic Study Club in Bangkok, Thailand during March 4, 2016. 

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Dr. Chira holds memberships in several professional organizations, including: the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics, the Champlain Valley Dental Society, Vermont Orthodontic Association, Vermont State Dental Society, the Northeast Society of Orthodontists, the American Association of Orthodontists, the Advanced Orthognathic Surgery Foundation, Tufts Dental Alumni Association, New York University Orthodontic Alumni Association, and the Teams Links Study Club. 

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Lastly, Dr. Chira has spent the past 15 years devoted to developing a team of specialists committed to the eight treatment goals approach to whole body orthodontics. 

 

Personal Interests

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Chira Orthodontics is unique to the Burlington community because it is a home/office. This arrangement has worked well for Dr. Chira as it affords her the opportunity to balance spending quality time with her family and being a full-time professional. Many of Dr. Chira’s patients enjoy and benefit from the blend of the family-like atmosphere and the state-of-the-art orthodontic practice.

 

Dr. Chira resides in her home/office with her husband, Christopher and her sons, Garrett and Carson. She is also a proud stepmother of three boys, Austin, Ben and Anthony. During her spare time, Dr. Chira enjoys spending time with her family, running, gardening, and volunteering for and supporting community programs like Champlain Valley Junior League, Starr Farm Nursing Home, and the Burlington Amateur Hockey Association. She also plays an active role in the Tufts University Alumni Association. Currently, she is a member of the Tufts Alumni Council and was the Northern Vermont Chairperson for the Tufts University Alumni Admissions Program. Dr. Chira is a longtime supporter of youth running programs through Run VT and Girls on the Run. Her favorite place to vacation is Nantucket, Massachusetts and her favorite place in Vermont is Shelburne Farms.