MEET THE DOCTORS

Dr. Monica Babbitt-Tanquilut

Dr. Monica Babbitt grew up in the town of Bristol, Illinois, about 60 miles west of the city of Chicago.

In 1988, she graduated from Southern Illinois University with a degree in dental hygiene. While working part-time as a hygienist, she continued her education at University of Illinois in Chicago, where she earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1993 and her Doctorate Degree from the School of Dentistry in 1994. She completed her education at University of Nebraska in Lincoln with a surgical residency in Periodontology in 1997.

  • Dr. Babbitt has been involved in the area of Periodontics for over 20 years.

  • She has served as an Associate Clinical Professor, in the Department of Periodontology, at University of Illinois College of Dentistry, where she received the Faculty Development Award from the Department of Periodontics in 1999. She left teaching in 2001 due to the demands of a busy practice and her growing family.

  • Her private practice involves all aspects of periodontal therapy, including non-surgical treatment of periodontal disease, placing dental implants and diagnosis of oral pathology.

  • She is particularly interested in oral plastic surgery for aesthetic improvement and the medical implications from oral infection.

  • She was instrumental in a research project through the National Institute of Health, which looked at the link between osteoporosis, post-menopause and periodontal disease.

Dr. Babbitt frequently attends continuing education courses, most recently regarding alternative medicine, implants and laser surgical techniques. She has also completed a proficiency certificate from the Academy of Laser Dentistry. In the last two years, she has attended 100+ hours of continuing education, which is over 3-times that required by the State of Illinois. She has been a member of the American Academy of Periodontology and the Midwest Society of Periodontology since 1998.

Dr. Michelle Parzatka Jennings

Native to the area, Dr. Jennings grew up in Hinsdale and graduated from Hinsdale Central High School.

After completing her undergraduate degree at Western Michigan University, she completed her dental school degree in 1989 at the University of Illinois College of Dentistry. She furthered her education at the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry, receiving her specialty degree in Periodontics in 1991. Since her graduation in 1991, Dr. Jennings has been in private practice at LaGrange Periodontics for over 30 years. Dr. Jennings is also a past Clinical Professor in Periodontics at the University of Illinois College of Dentistry.

Dr. Jennings attends regular dental meetings and specialty conferences in order to ensure she is providing the most advanced and modern treatment available. In addition, she has lectured for numerous dental and periodontal societies and serves on various dental committees.

Some areas of involvement include:

  • Past committee member for the Young Periodontist Committee of the American Academy of Periodontology

  • Past President of the Westside Branch of the Chicago Dental Society

  • Past President of the Illinois Society of Periodontists

  • Past Committee Member for the Allied Health Committee of the Illinois State Dental Society

  • Past member of the Board of Directors for the Chicago Dental Society

  • Currently on the Mediation Committee and Peer Review Committee for the Chicago Dental Society

  • Currently on the Illinois State Dental Society Board of Directors

  • Currently on the Illinois State Dental Society Foundation Board of Directors

  • Laser certification for use of the Nd:YAG and Erbium lasers

  • Selected to the American College of Dentistry and The Academy of Dentistry International on ethics, professionalism and leadership

  • Past Clinical Professor of Periodontics at the University of Illinois, College of Dentistry

Besides her devotion and dedication to periodontics and treating her patients, she also takes great pride in being a mother of two wonderful children. When not involved with dentistry, Dr. Jennings enjoys running, fitness, sports and traveling. She is blessed with supportive family and friends.

Dr. Farah Shakir

Dr. Farah Shakir grew up in Wilmette, a suburb of Chicago. She completed her B.S. in Biology and Neuroscience from the University of Illinois. She also achieved her master’s degree in biotechnology from Rush University before going on to earn her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree, Certificate in Periodontics, and Master’s degree in Oral Science and earned her master’s on Peri-Implant disease from the University of Illinois.

She has received numerous awards including: the Robert Savage Award, the American Student Dental Association Award for Excellence, the Albert Schweitzer Fellowship Award, the International College of Dentists Humanitarian Award, and most notably the American Academy of Periodontology Award for Excellence and outstanding achievement. Dr. Shakir has furthered her education and became board certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. She has authored in periodontal textbooks and periodontal journals. She has taken over 200 credit hours in the last two years. She is involved with the Seattle Study Club, a hygiene study club and a study club for the doctors in the area. Her passion in learning and enthusiasm for teaching others is evident.

She is an active member of the American Dental Association, American Academy of Periodontology, Chicago Dental Society and Illinois State Dental Society.

She specializes in the most current non-surgical, surgical periodontal and dental implant services. Her interest are bone augmentation in preparation for implant, sinus grafting and soft tissue procedures. She is also certified in Intravenous conscious sedation.

In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband, raising her two young children, and working out. She is fluent in Arabic and Spanish. Dr. Shakir is also a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Illinois College of Dentistry.