Des Moines Dental Center is a Des Moines based family dentist practice that treats patients of all ages. We are committed to delivering the highest quality dental care and do so using advanced dental equipment. We are a cosmetic dentist that offers services like checkups, teeth cleaning, crowns, veneers and more.
Dr Benjamin Dorantes was born and raised in Orange County, CA. He attended the University of California Irvine for his undergraduate studies, with a focus in Biology. Dr. Dorantes was granted his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Washington School of Dentistry in 2000. Upon graduation, he helped launch a group practice in Kent Washington, where he served as the managing dentist for 12 years. In 2012, Dr. Dorantes made the decision to open his own private practice and served the community of Kenmore, WA for the past 7 years. This past May, 2019, Dr. Dorantes made the decision to join his wife in practice and they both purchased Des Moines Dental Center.
Dr. Dorantes, known as Dr. D by his patients and staff, has been fortunate enough to be able to take advantage of the fact that he is bilingual in English and Spanish. He began volunteering time with Medical Teams International in downtown Seattle, providing dental care for those in need in mobile dental clinics. He has also participated in programs such as the Smile Power Organization, which provides dental care to tent cities in Washington. Dr. D proudly serves as the International Ambassador for Smiles for Everyone Foundation, specifically associated with the Nicaragua outpost that he helped establish in 2013. He has had the opportunity to travel to the mountainside villages there in both 2013 and 2015 to provide care and support to over 550 people. Dr. D continues to feed his passion for helping others by continuously volunteering and is currently planning to join the foundation for another weeklong trip to Nicaragua in 2020.
In his personal time, Dr. D enjoys spending time with his wife and colleague, Dr. Kristin Vernon. He is an avid Husky football fan, likes to play chef for family and friends, enjoys a good run at Magnusen Park or around Greenlake and has a passion for WWII history, German artifacts, and his Volkswagen. Dr D has 4 grown children and two step-children that keep him and his wife busy.
Dr. D attends several continuing education courses per year to enhance his practice of dentistry and to provide exceptional care for his patients. He is an active member of the American Dental Association, Washington State Dental Association and Seattle King County Dental Society. He enjoys the technology side of dentistry and incorporates up- to-date technology in his practice; examples including intraoral digital scanning, CBCT (cone beam) technology, electric handpieces (that help with noise reduction associated with dentistry) and 3-D printing of dental models. As a new member of the Des Moines community, he has already received a warm welcome from existing patients of Des Moines Dental Center and looks forward to becoming your Des Moines Dentist!
Dr. Kristin Vernon was born and raised in San Diego, CA. She attended San Diego State University and graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. In 1999, Dr. Kristin was awarded her Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) from Northwestern University Dental School in Chicago, Illinois. Upon graduation, she decided to further advance her knowledge in dentistry by completing a 1-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency program through the U.S. Army. Dr. Kristin served 2 more years in the Army, stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA (JBLM).
Dr. Kristin attends several continuing education courses per year to enhance her practice of dentistry and to provide exceptional care for her patients. She is an active member of the American Dental Association, Washington State Dental Association, Thurston-Mason Counties Dental Society, Spear Institute of Education and South Sound Dental Study Club. As a new member of the Des Moines community, she looks forward to integrating into the King County Dental Society and being able to provide the same exceptional quality dentistry that she has provided for the past 20 years in South Sound.
Lei has been with Des Moines Dental Center since 2013. She is a Des Moines native and graduate of Mt. Rainier High School. Lei is our office manager and is an integral part of our patient experience. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Aimee was born and raised right here in Washington. In 2005 she graduated from dental assisting school and in 2013 she began working as part of our front office team coordinating patient insurance and assisting them with their paperwork. She enjoys spending time with her husband and step-daughter, working on needlepoint and wine tasting.
Des Moines Dental Center provides a wide variety of dental services and procedures to address all of our patients' dental health needs. By combining quality patient care with up-to-date technology, we are able to treat patients of all ages in a comfortable and relaxing setting. Our dentist and highly trained staff are trained to not only treat patients but to identify what caused the health concern in the first place. This approach sets patients of Des Moines Dental Center on the road to recovery and long term oral health.
We offer a wide variety of services for patients throughout the Des Moines Washington area. Our patients depend on Dr. Dorantes to meet all of their oral healthcare needs. Whether you need preventative care, restorative solutions or a smile makeover, we can help.