Meet Dr. Doug Palaganas in Rockville Centre, NY
Douglas Palaganas, known to patients as Dr. Doug, has always believed orthodontic care should be centered on people, not production. From the beginning of his career, his vision has been to create a practice that feels personal, thoughtful, and focused on quality rather than volume.
At Dr. Doug Orthodontics, patients receive direct attention and individualized care from the doctor himself. This is not an assembly-line practice. Dr. Doug believes every patient deserves time, respect, and a treatment experience that feels calm and intentional, especially in an era when high-volume orthodontic offices are becoming increasingly common.
Professional Life
In addition to practicing full-time, Dr. Doug is a respected educator and clinical advisor in the field of orthodontics. He is a leading lecturer on clear aligner treatment using Clarity Aligners throughout the United States and Canada for Solventum Orthodontics (formerly 3M Orthodontics).
Dr. Doug also serves as one of Solventum’s primary clinical advisors and has contributed to the development and testing of several orthodontic innovations, including Precision Grip Attachments and the Flex & Force dual-aligner material system. He regularly lectures colleagues on how to use these advancements to deliver more customized and effective aligner treatments.
Since 2018, Dr. Doug has also been recognized as an early adopter of advanced lingual orthodontic systems, including InSmile (formerly InBrace), and has previously served as a clinical advisor for the platform.
In addition to lecturing at Nassau, Suffolk, and Queens study clubs, Dr. Doug was a founding member of the annual Mother of Pearls Orthodontic Conference, which provides continuing education to orthodontists nationwide.
Background
Dr. Doug is a Long Island native who grew up in Syosset, New York, and graduated from Syosset High School in 1994. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Biology from Cornell University in 1998.
After graduation, Dr. Doug spent a year teaching at the Gow School near Buffalo, a private boarding school for boys with dyslexia, ADD, and ADHD. This experience provided him with hands-on exposure to working closely with children who learn and communicate differently, a skill that continues to influence his patient-centered approach to orthodontic care.
He returned to Long Island to attend the School of Dental Medicine at Stony Brook University, graduating in 2003 ranked first in his class and earning membership in Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the National Dental Honor Society.
Dr. Doug then completed a three-year orthodontic residency at Stony Brook, earning his specialty certificate in 2006. He has been practicing orthodontics on Long Island since that time and founded Dr. Doug Orthodontics in Rockville Centre in 2013, followed by the co-founding of Great Neck Orthodontics in 2014 with Dr. Janine Ellis.
- Bachelor of Science in Biology, Cornell University
- Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS), Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine
- Certificate in Orthodontics, Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine
Dr. Doug places a strong emphasis on continuing education, regularly exceeding annual requirements to stay current with advancements in orthodontics and emerging technology. He views ongoing learning as essential not only for clinical excellence, but also for continually improving the patient experience.
- American Association of Orthodontists
- Northeastern Society of Orthodontists
- New York State Dental Association
- Nassau County Dental Society
- American Dental Association
Dr. Doug lives in Syosset with his wife Jennifer, a periodontist whom he met in dental school, and their two children, Olivia and Christian. Outside the office, he enjoys attending his children’s activities and is a lifelong New York sports fan.
Giving back to the Long Island community is an important part of Dr. Doug’s personal and professional life. He has participated in the Give Kids a Smile program since 2009 and supports organizations such as the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, and the Cooley’s Anemia Foundation.