Dr. Matt Karsten, pediatric dentist and founder of Kids First Pediatric Dentistry received his bachelor’s degree cum laude from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Next he attended the Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine. After graduating from dental school, he completed a 2 year residency in pediatrics at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia. After residency, he started Kids First Pediatric Dentistry. Since he was born and raised in the area, it is an honor to serve the children growing up in the community. His vision for the practice is to nurture and care for children’s oral health from infancy to adulthood. He is an accredited member of the American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American Academy of Pediatrics, Illinois State Dental Society, Chicago Dental Society, Illinois Society of Pediatric Dentistry, Fox River Valley Dental Society and was the past-president of the Elgin Dental Society/study club. His free time is devoted to his loving family.  He and his wife Samantha have five children.  When he is not spending time with his family, he’s an avid sports fan.

Dr. Gil was born and raised in Chicago, IL. He graduated with a BS in Chemistry from DePaul University in 2002. After college, he immediately went on to dental school and became a graduate of the College of Dentistry at University of Illinois at Chicago in 2006. He practiced General Dentistry in private practice from 2006 until 2018 as the owner of a small practice in Palos Heights, IL. He found great joy in treating patients of all ages, but his passion had always been treating children and patients with special needs since his training in dentistry began over a decade and half ago. When he was accepted into the pediatric dental residency at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, he accepted it as one of the greatest honors of his life. Finally, now having his chance to fulfill his passion for specializing in the care for children’s oral health, he was compelled to liquidate his life’s work to gain extra training as a pediatric dentist, which was completed in 2020.

He finds pleasure in being an integral part of your child’s oral care by creating a fun and comfortable setting where oral care can be accomplished safely and efficiently. He feels strongly that both education and prevention are the best ways to manage children’s oral disease, and he will compassionately work with your family to make your child’s dental experience a positive one.

Spending time with his two beautiful daughters and his wonderful wife of over 10 years currently fills Dr. Gil’s personal life. They enjoy traveling, cooking, baking, exercising and rooting on the Chicago Bears, White Sox, Bulls, and Blackhawks.