Father, Husband, Orthodontist
Dr. Kanning loves being an orthodontist. Not only does he get to help patients achieve a healthy beautiful smile, he enjoys meeting new people and getting to know his patients and their families.
His varied background in dentistry and in life gives him the ability to relate to patients of all ages and backgrounds. He is driven by his goal to make his office a special experience for each one of his patients.
DR. KANNING’S LIFE STORY
Neil Kanning grew up in rural Lawson, Missouri, but his adventures and education have taken him around the world.
While in high school, his life’s ambition was to be a lift chair operator at a Colorado ski resort, but (thankfully) his parents insisted he go to college first. So he attended William Jewell College in Liberty, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Relations. More importantly, it is where he met his future wife, Jennifer.
Following college, the mountains were still calling, so he packed up his car and moved to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, to teach ski lessons. He and his wife Jennifer spent their first year of marriage skiing and camping in Steamboat.
It was at some point during his second winter in Colorado that he realized he had already met and exceeded his life goals (instructors do outrank lift chair operators!) and life had more to offer, so he returned to school to get his dental degree.
Dr. Kanning loves living in Liberty, Missouri, and running an orthodontic practice. He loves KC sports and everything KC, but above everything, he loves his family. His wife, Jennifer, and three beautiful children, Jake, Isabelle, and William, put up with him most days.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND
Dr. Kanning attended dental school at the University of Alabama School of Dentistry where he graduated with honors in 1998. Following dental school graduation, his dental career took he and his wife across the country and globe.
He completed a U.S. Air Force A.E.G.D. (Advanced Education in General Dentistry) at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia. It was during this residency and his subsequent three years stationed in Germany that he developed his enthusiasm for orthodontics.
After completing his Air Force commitment, Dr. Kanning returned to the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and completed his Orthodontic residency in 2004. He has a master’s degree in orthodontics. After practicing orthodontics as an associate, he opened Kanning Orthodontics in 2006.
CONTINUING EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Dr. Kanning is active in the Liberty community. He has served on the Liberty Parks and Recreation Board.
He is also very active in the area of organized dentistry. He has served as the Vice-President of the Missouri Society of Orthodontists, the President of the Greater Kansas City Society of Orthodontists, and the President of the University Dental Study Club.
JOBS HE’S HAD
- Prison Dentist
- UPS Driver
- UPS Preloader
- Steamboat Ski Instructor
- Steamboat Ski Counselor
- Lawncare Mower
- Air Force Captain
- Air Force Dentist
- Drive-in Trash Collector
- Construction Footer Crew
- Construction Wall Crew
- Convention Floor Planner
- Pipeline Welder Tech
- ESPN Light Crew
- Barback
- Pool Manager
- Scandinavian Lodge Clerk
- Medical Records Tech
EDUCATION
- William Jewell College – B.A. Public Relations
- University of Alabama School of Dentistry – Doctor of Dental Medicine
- Langley Air Force Base Virginia – Advanced Education in General Dentistry
- University of Iowa College of Dentistry – M.S. Orthodontics
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
- American Dental Association - Member
- American Association of Orthodontists - Member
- Greater Kansas City Society of Orthodontists - Past President
- Missouri Society of Orthodontists - Past President
- The Northland Dental Ed Study Club - Sponsor
- University Study Club - Past President
