Dr. Matthew K. Mizukawa became a partner at Dixie Oral Maxillofacial & Implant Surgery in January 2014 after serving as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee from 2012 to 2014. He continues to serve as an Adjunct Clinical Professor at Vanderbilt as well. He is Board Certified by the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and is also on staff at Dixie Regional Medical Center(DRMC).
A highly-qualified and experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Mizukawa obtained a B.S. in Neuroscience from Brigham Young University and a Doctorate in Dental Medicine from the University of Nevada at Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Mizukawa completed his oral and maxillofacial surgery residency at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee, where he was chosen amongst hundreds of medical and surgical residents as the Best Consultant to the Department of Emergency Medicine for his work in emergency medicine and trauma surgery in 2009. He served in private practice following graduation but soon after took the offered opportunity to return to Vanderbilt to teach in the residency program.
While the majority of his practice is centered around management of wisdom teeth and dental implants, Dr. Mizukawa continues to enjoy and excel at the full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery. He provides emergency services at Dixie Regional Medical Center in managing trauma involving the entire facial region. He has been integral in treating some of the most complex facial trauma cases seen at DRMC, including gun shot wounds to the face and severe automobile accidents. Facial reconstruction is another area that Dr. Mizukawa enjoys, including the reconstruction of facial defects from trauma or tumors using bone from the hip and free vascular flaps from the leg. He and Dr. Dudley continue to provide corrective jaw surgery services to those patients in need.
Dr. Mizukawa is a frequent lecturer at professional organizations and schools, and will be presenting at the Anesthesia Update of the annual meeting of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons(AAOMS) in September 2019. He is the lead editor and co-author of Anesthesia Considerations for the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, a comprehensive reference book designed to help practitioners navigate the complexities of office-based anesthesia, including patient evaluation and selection, pharmacology, monitoring, and management of the myriad comorbid diseases in the perioperative period.
In 2017, Dr. Mizukawa was appointed by the AAOMS to be on their Committee on Anesthesia, a committee of about 10 oral surgeons specifically designated to ensuring the safe and efficient administration of office-based anesthesia. This committee is constantly reviewing current guidelines and policies that govern anesthesia and providing updated recommendations to governing boards on the state and federal levels. Continuing education and training specific to anesthesia are other key roles that this committee plays in promoting safe anesthesia in the oral and maxillofacial surgery setting. Dr. Mizukawa is a member of the American Association of the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American Dental Society of Anesthesia, the American Dental Association, the Utah Dental Association and its local chapter, the Dixie Dental Association, where he has served on the board of directors for several years.
To give back to the local dental community, Dr. Mizukawa, along with Dr. Wayne Dudley, created the Southern Utah Dental Study Club in 2015. Its membership of approximately 35 locally-based dentists meet quarterly for continuing educational topics, practice management updates, and mutual enlightenment through group discussion of difficult cases from the community. Dr. Mizukawa continues to maintain a role as a moderator, a regular lecturer and a facilitator to bring in guest lecturers from universities or specialty practices around the country.
Dr. Mizukawa has long enjoyed rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, wakeboarding, snowboarding, camping and loves to be outdoors in general. As a father of 6, he has been alarmed at the continual reports of declines in the physical and mental health of adolescents and teens, supported by staggering statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Most concerning are the skyrocketing rates of depression, anxiety, suicide, suicide attempts, and suicidal thoughts, as well as self-harm. This is largely associated with the also alarming rate of screen time (television, tablet, computer) in children. In 2018, Dr. Mizukawa founded Get Outside, a non-profit organization in Southern Utah to provide opportunities, education, fellowship, and financial support to kids to get outside and engage in outdoor recreation. Get Outside has established a Club in each high school in Washington and Iron Counties to help kids overcome 3 main barriers to getting outside: lack of opportunity, lack of education, and lack of finances. His program frequently organizes outside community activities and can be found online at: www.getoutsideutah.org, on Facebook at: getoutsideGO and on Instagram: @get_outside_go
>Dr. Mizukawa was raised in Ft. Washington, Maryland, but graduated from Pine View High School in 1996 in St. George, UT. He served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Japan Fukuoka Mission from 1997-1999. Upon returning from Japan, he attended BYU, where he met his wife, Julie. They now have six children and love living in southern Utah, close to family and the outdoors.
Reviews
Rating 4.5 out of 5 based on 19 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestTaylor Ricks
a year ago
Dr. John Mizukawa is very knowledgeable and did a fantastic job on my case. He was able to see me quickly as well. Highly recommended!
Aimee Mertz
a year ago
We have had 2 fantastic experiences with this office for wisdom teeth extractions. I highly recommend them for anyone bit especially for those who have anxiety with dental work. Every staff member we encountered were kind,compassionate, and took the time to ease my kiddos nerves. We used both Dr Dudley and Dr Nielson.
Susie Swearingen
a year ago
Everyone we came in contact with was very friendly and professional . I would highly recommend them for any surgery you need..
forbertd1
2 years ago
Doctor Dudley and his staff are amazing. It's a tough experience to have an implant but they made it smooth as could be.
Ron Davies
2 years ago
Dr. Dudley has helped me and my family on several occasions. It's easy to see he is a well-trained and seasoned professional. The staff was prompt, friendly and courteous. Highly recommend.
Farol Hunter
2 years ago
Staff efficient and friendly and treat me with respect. They're honest in their recommendations-- what is best for me, not them.
Stephanie Holmes
2 years ago
Wait times are minimal, the office staff is friendly, and Dr. Mizukawa is knowledgeable and proficient. My family has been here three times for different surgeries and all have gone very well.
Ron Jackson
2 years ago
The staff failed to contact my insurance to get pre authorization for sedation. I had the insurance company contact office staff at this place twice to try and work things out. I have a 90/10 dental policy but this place still insisted on a 40 % payment up front. The office staff is very difficult to work with.
Kandee DeGraw
2 years ago
I felt very cared for, listen to and treated kindly. What a great team.
Kathy Everett
3 years ago
Great experience for our family! My daughter had eight teeth removed due to crowding. She struggles with sensory issues on a daily basis. The care she received was excellent and their awareness of her needs was apparent. She recovered well and the experience was positive for her and us.
Jaime Lind
3 years ago
Dr. Mizakowa and the entire staff were gentle and kind.
Kandee DeGraw
3 years ago
I felt very cared for, listen to and treated kindly. What a great team.
Ron Jackson
3 years ago
The staff failed to contact my insurance to get pre authorization for sedation. I had the insurance company contact office staff at this place twice to try and work things out. I have a 90/10 dental policy but this place still insisted on a 40 % payment up front. The office staff is very difficult to work with.
Ashleigh Glass
3 years ago
This place is the best for getting your wisdom teeth out!! They are super time efficient, polite and caring! We can not rave enough about their service. We definitely will come back for any further needs we have.
RBW12600
3 years ago
I have visited many dentists in the past seven decades in both in the United States and South America and I can safely say that this office with the excellent doctors and wonderful support staff are the finest I have been associated with. All facets of the practice were a five star. I had a serious procedure completed and knew from the first visit as I sat with Dr. Mizukawa that I was in good hands. I can't commend all involved enough. Richard B. Whitaker, St. George, Utah
Ashleigh Glass
4 years ago
This place is the best for getting your wisdom teeth out!! They are super time efficient, polite and caring! We can not rave enough about their service. We definitely will come back for any further needs we have.
RBW12600
4 years ago
I have visited many dentists in the past seven decades in both in the United States and South America and I can safely say that this office with the excellent doctors and wonderful support staff are the finest I have been associated with. All facets of the practice were a five star. I had a serious procedure completed and knew from the first visit as I sat with Dr. Mizukawa that I was in good hands. I can't commend all involved enough. Richard B. Whitaker, St. George, Utah
Mckenzie Dunford
6 years ago
I went for a tooth extraction and implant surgery and Dr. Mizukawa was professional, friendly, quick, and respectful. They made sure I was comfortable before, during, and after the procedure, and always talked me through everything they did. I would recommend them in a heartbeat!
Paws Plus
6 years ago
Due to a body with severe autoimmune disorders, I've had several severe infections of unknown origins in different areas of my body. This time I had a HORRIBLE encapsulated infection in my lower mandible. Dr. Mizokawa did EVERYTHING in his power to rid my jaw of the of the infection. My condition was incredibly complicated and he went above and beyond to help me and was available to me 24/7. Given the fact that my insurance paid nothing and my only income was my monthly disability, he worked with me on the payment. Doctor Dudley saw me a couple of times as well when I needed help over the weekends when he was on call. The staff was absolutely wonderful to me with every single interaction (and there were several!). I can't say enough wonderful words about Dixie Oral and Maxofacial & Implant Surgery, Dr. Mizokawa, Dr. Dudley, and their entire staff. They've gone above and beyond for me and I will be eternally grateful to them forever!
Mckenzie Dunford
7 years ago
I went for a tooth extraction and implant surgery and Dr. Mizukawa was professional, friendly, quick, and respectful. They made sure I was comfortable before, during, and after the procedure, and always talked me through everything they did. I would recommend them in a heartbeat!
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