I am passionate about dentistry and feel fortunate to have the opportunity to provide oral health care to our community. My goal is to provide quality comprehensive care that is tailored to satisfy the unique needs and desires of each individual patient. To accomplish this, I take time from the start to get to know my patients and to learn how I can best serve them.
I earned my Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Washington School of Dentistry, having completed a Bachelor of Science in Molecular and Cellular Biology with honors from the University of Washington.
I stay active in study clubs and continuing education opportunities in order to stay current and to offer the most up-to-date techniques and technology. I have attended leading dental educational facilities throughout the country to gain in-depth knowledge of advanced concepts including: dental implant placement, bone-grafting, advanced dental implant restorations (crowns, bridges), dental occlusion, root canals, temporomandibular joints (TMJ, TMD), prosthodontics (complex cases, replacing missing teeth) and cosmetic dentistry.
There is no substitute for healthy teeth and gums. One of the hallmarks of my practice philosophy is to help educate patients so that they are able to effectively care for themselves and maintain their oral health. When treatment is necessary, my goal is to be as conservative as possible as I feel a less is more approach is beneficial to the patient and their long-term health.
As much as the challenges of dentistry are rewarding to me, it is my relationship with patients that I find the most gratifying. I truly enjoy getting to know my patients as individuals and feel fortunate to have the opportunity to care for them.
I was born and raised in Bellingham and am a fourth-generation resident of the community. My family includes my wife, Cristina, our children, Maya and Luke, and our rescue dog, Charlie. I love to cook and bake and am always looking to expand my skills. My family loves to get outside in nature, rain or shine. We especially enjoy mountain biking, hiking, and skiing. Im also an avid Seahawks fan having grown up watching them play in the Kingdome with my Dad. More than anything, I love spending time with my family, even if it is just taking time to enjoy the simple things together.
We enjoy connecting with those in our community and recognize that everyone needs a helping hand from time-to-time. Our practice supports the Make-A-Wish Foundation to support children with life-threatening medical conditions. We also enjoy showing our appreciation to Veterans in our community by participating in Veterans Day dental outreach programs. For the past several years, we have supported programs like The Whatcom Dream, Brigid Collins, and Blue Skies for Children by helping to provide for those in need around the holiday season.
My career in dentistry has been a great opportunity to meet so many people from diverse backgrounds. I treasure the friendships Ive made and all I have learned from the people I serve. Each has unique stories and experiences to share; I love hearing about their lives and getting to know them on a personal level.
As a dentist, I enjoy being able to talk people through any treatment they may need, even if they are feeling apprehensive. And I love for people to feel informed and empowered in their own healthcare. Sometimes that knowledge is enough for a person to make a fresh start in their home care and, in doing so, improve their long-term oral health and wellbeing!
I have practiced dentistry since 2010. It is a fantastic balance between technical, artistic, and interpersonal skills. No two days are ever the same: every patient and each procedure requires a thoughtful new approach to deliver the ideal results, and that keeps me engaged and excited.
At the same time, my profession is all about the people I see and care for. It is a fantastic feeling when a patient tells me this was their best dental experience, or that weve exceeded their expectations! I want each patient to know I genuinely care about them as a person and strive to deliver care to achieve optimal oral health and smiles they love to share.
These days, it is imperative for a general dentist to have a broad base of knowledge so we can guide each patient to their optimal treatment. I seek out continuing education in order to stay current on the latest advancements in technologies and techniques, along with research and trends. By having in-depth knowledge of dental specialties, I am able to provide patients with the best treatment, as well as advise individuals if there is a need for them to see a specialist.
I am an active member of the Bellingham Interdisciplinary Study Club, a group of general dentists and specialists. We meet to collaboratively treatment plan and study complex cases. I also attend the Pacific Northwest Dental Conference, Washington States dental convention.
Among the topics I have studied in-depth are dental implants, restorative treatment, treatment planning, considerations of treatment for individuals with complex medical needs, endodontics, orthodontics, and oral surgery.
I love to get outside and am thrilled to try almost any sport. Sam and I are working on introducing our kids to amazing adventures and opportunities in Bellingham and beyond. We all love to get out mountain biking, hiking, paddle boarding, and snowboarding and skiing I enjoy both of the latter but am only good at one of them! If left to my own devices, I love to get out in the woods for a bike ride or do a bit of gardening around our home.
