Dr. Cavanaugh is a General Dentist who served the Littleton and Denver area communities with Preventive, Restorative, Cosmetic and Implant dental care for over 32 years. He retired and now his long time partner, Dr. Amy Becker, continues caring for the patients of Highline Family Dentistry. He was born in Wisconsin and grew up in Illinois as the middle of three boys. Over the years, both his brothers and parents have relocated to the Denver area as well. Dr. Cavanaugh graduated from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale with an undergraduate degree in Human Physiology in 1979. He graduated from Southern Illinois School of Dental Medicine in 1983. Dr. Cavanaugh completed a year of post-graduate training as a General Practice Dental Resident at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in 1984.
In the fall of 1984, Dr. Cavanaugh opened Highline Family Dentistry in its current location with his wife and dental school classmate, Valerie, who retired in 2003. In addition to his private practice in Littleton, Dr. Cavanaugh continued his association with the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in the 1980’s and 1990’s as a Clinical Instructor at the Dental School lecturing on occlusion, TMJ disorders, comprehensive diagnosis and treatment planning, and advanced restorative dentistry. Additionally, during this period, he supervised patient care by Residents in the General Practice Residency Clinic on a part-time basis.
One of Dr. Cavanaugh’s passions is helping patients restore their teeth to the optimal function and appearance of natural teeth through dental implants and esthetic crowns and bridges. However, he enjoys all aspects of clinical dentistry, as well as developing long-term relationships with patients, and helping them achieve their goal of oral health and keeping their teeth for a lifetime.
Dr. Cavanaugh has been an active member of the American Dental Association, the Colorado Dental Association and the Metro Denver Dental Society for 32 years. Additionally, he continues to learn and stay abreast of new technologies in dentistry through advanced training with The Foundation for Advanced Continuing Education (F.A.C.E.) in Burlingame, CA, The Colorado Prosthetic Study Club, The Columbine Periodontal Study Club, The Colorado Implant Study Club, and the Academy of Osseointegration (a worldwide group of dentists on the cutting edge of dental implants).
In his spare time, Dr. Cavanaugh enjoys spending time with his family. He is an avid golfer, fly fisherman, and woodworker. He also enjoys biking, boating and wakeboarding with friends and family.