Meet Dr. Daniel Akkaway

• Orthodontics
• Health and longevity
• Food as medicine
• Outdoor activities
• Fantasy football

Orthodontics is something I care deeply about because of the genuine satisfaction I get from helping patients feel more confident in themselves. I believe a beautiful smile can have a lasting impact on self-esteem and personal growth, and I feel very fortunate to help create that for my patients. I especially value the relationships I develop with patients and families throughout treatment, and one of the best parts of my work is seeing confidence blossom along with a healthy, beautiful new smile.

As a New Jersey native, I grew up in Parsippany and attended Rutgers College before spending time in San Diego, where I enjoyed the sun and surf. Dental school eventually brought me back to the East Coast, where I put down roots and started a family. I’m the proud father of two amazing children who have heard more than enough reminders from me about eating whole foods, brushing their teeth, and putting down the iPad.

Hobbies:

• Spending time with my family
• Working out in my home gym
• Listening to the latest biohacking podcast
• Outdoor activities including snowboarding, mountain biking, and hiking
• Physical challenges like Spartan and Tough Mudder competitions.

Fun Facts:

• I’m a self-proclaimed fantasy football expert and former league champion.
• I love orthodontics but I would probably quit if the Pittsburgh Steelers offered me a job.
• My favorite breakfast is coffee.
• I never sleep past 5:30am.
• My favorite nutrition advice is from Michael Pollan: “Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.”
• I graduated first in my dental school class and top 1% on the national dental boards but I can’t figure out how to get my kids to eat anything that’s not white or brown.
• I ran the NYC marathon and realized at mile 20 that I hate running.
• I’m afraid of being judged for being a closet “metal head” (the Deftones rule!).
• I’m an aspiring drummer, surfer, and mushroom farmer (just listen to Paul Stamets and you’ll be hooked too).

I received my dental degree from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, where I graduated first in my class and was honored with the Alpha Omega Award. I was also inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the National Dental Honor Society, in recognition of academic excellence and leadership. Following dental school, I completed a General Practice Residency at Sepulveda VA Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, before returning to New York for a three-year orthodontic residency at Saint Barnabas Hospital, affiliated with Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

I am proud to be board certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. This certification is a mark of distinction in the specialty and represents an orthodontist’s commitment to the highest level of patient care through rigorous testing, proven clinical expertise, and ongoing dedication to excellence. For patients and parents, it offers added peace of mind knowing their orthodontic care is being led by a doctor who has met standards above and beyond specialty training alone.

My education did not stop after residency. I have continued to study with many of the top innovators in orthodontics across the country so our practice can remain at the leading edge of technology and treatment. This ongoing commitment allows me to provide patients with care that is not only highly effective, but also efficient, modern, and tailored to their individual needs.

• American Dental Association
• New Jersey Dental Association
• American Association of Orthodontists
• New Jersey Association of Orthodontists
• Middle Atlantic Society of Orthodontists