Dr. Joseph Zakarija

Dr. Joseph Zakarija, aka "Dr. Zak", a recognized board-certified pediatric dental specialist by the Illinois State Board of Dentistry, owns the practice, Dr. Zak’s Tooth Fairy Castle, in Rockford, Illinois. Earning his Bachelor of Science, Master of Science in Microbiology, Doctor of Dental Surgery, and post-doctoral pediatric dental work from Loyola University Chicago, Dr. Joseph Zakarija remained in the Chicagoland area to open his practice. Located northwest of the city, Dr. Zak’s Tooth Fairy Castle serves youth from 1-18. During the early stages of oral care, Dr. Joseph Zakarija and his staff service primary and comprehensive preventative and therapeutic oral care. He also examines craniofacial growth to determine if any future problems may arise, upsetting the patient's form and function and resulting in a recommendation for orthodontics. Understanding how traumatic any dental experience can be for a child, Dr. Joseph Zakarija constructed his office to alleviate stress. His practice is cleverly decorated and contains a tooth museum where children can see an amusing tooth collection, including dinosaur teeth. With the all the chairs distributed across an open room, children won’t feel closed in and parents can sit close by during the exam. The setup also allows Dr. Joseph Zakarija and his staff the opportunity to explain their procedures and recommendations directly to the parents. As a pedodontist, Dr. Joseph Zakarija is qualified by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry to work with special needs children. If a child has physical, mental, sensory, developmental, behavioral, cognitive, or emotion impairments, Dr. Joseph Zakarija is trained and experienced in making every child feel safe and calm, resulting in a positive and productive dental visit. In addition to exams, cleanings, and braces, Dr. Joseph Zakarija performs laser surgery and extractions. If dental rehabilitation or surgery is required, Dr. Joseph Zakarija executes these procedures at the SwedishAmerican Health System and Rockford Ambulatory Surgery Center.