Dr. Cummins is a board-certified orthodontist and has been creating healthy and attractive smiles in Bellingham and Whatcom County since 1992. He has a special interest in evidence-based dentofacial orthopedics, utilizing growth modification to treat the underlying causes of bite problems rather than merely hiding them. He has co-authored six articles in peer-reviewed journals and has lectured at orthodontic residency programs, and local dental and dental hygiene societies. Most recently, Dr. Cummins lectured on dentofacial orthopedics at the 2026 American Association of Orthodontists meeting, the largest orthodontic meeting in the world that attracts orthodontists from around the globe. Dr. Cummins has also invented and published an innovative technique for closing the spaces of missing teeth in the lower jaw of patients with large overjet, eliminating the need for costly implants.
Born and raised in Indiana, Dr. Cummins received a Bachelor of Science from Purdue University and his Doctor of Dental Surgery from Indiana University. After dental school he served as a dental officer in the United States Navy at NAS Puget Sound and NAS Adak. Through his experience as a Navy dentist, Dr. Cummins developed an interest in orthodontics. Upon completion of his service, he began studying orthodontics at the University of Iowa. The beauty of the northwest lured Dr. Cummins and his wife, Shari Cummins, M.D. back to the state of Washington and the city of Bellingham, where they raised three children, Kyle, Maddi and Meleri.
Dr. Cummins embraced everything Whatcom County and has competed in the canoe leg of the Ski-to Sea race 15 times. He also coached indoor and outdoor rec soccer, and he has been awarded lollipops at many WFC Rangers games. He and his family still enjoy camping, paddling and hiking.