Pacific Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons is dedicated to providing each patient with a positive oral surgery experience. Through a variety of treatments, our surgeons and staff produce optimal results that improve the health of our patients.

Since 2014, our team of expert surgeons has been improving the lives of others in our Washington communities through a wide range oral surgery procedures. Each doctor holds a unique and thorough educational background, having successfully completed rigorous hands-on training. We have surgeons who are certified by the National Board of Anesthesiology, the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, and other prestigious organizations.

We offer EXPAREL, a non-addictive, non-opioid alternative to prescription pain medications following surgery. We care about your health and are doing our part to combat the opioid crisis in our nation.

Dr. Rick Edwards was born and raised in Pocatello, Idaho. In his teenage years, he realized he wanted to go into dentistry, inspired both by his moms encouragement and his orthodontist neighbor. Originally, Dr. Rick intended to follow in his neighbors footsteps and become an orthodontist; however, when he was at dental school, he found he was more interested in the oral surgery clinic and that the oral and maxillofacial specialty aligned better with his goals to help people.

During dental school, Dr. Rick went to Mexico to assist in cleft lip and palate treatment; after being able to truly help change peoples lives, he knew there was nothing else he would rather do for his career. Dr. Rick enjoys working in a group practice with Dr. Carl, who he met and befriended in college, because it provides him with the opportunity to interact with and help several different communities. The ultimate reward for Dr. Rick is seeing patients out in public who remember being treated and thank him for the services he provided. He believes that helping people find solutions to their oral health problems and helping them start better lives is the best life he could imagine for himself.

Dr. Rick attended Brigham Young University for his undergraduate career, graduating in 1982 with his Bachelor of Science degree. Following BYU, Dr. Rick continued on to the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry, where he earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS) in 1986.

After completing his schooling, Dr. Rick began a general practice internship in Chicago. He then completed a 4-year oral and maxillofacial residency at the University of Illinois. While training at his residency, Dr. Rick gained valuable skills for performing a full scope of oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures. He also gained hands-on experience working alongside surgeons and anesthesiologists in a hospital setting; he has the highest level of training in treating a variety of facial and oral conditions while also safely administering all forms of sedation.

Dr. Rick is a diplomate of the National Dental Board of Anesthesiology, which requires him to complete an extensive exam and assures patients that he has the highest qualification for administering all forms of anesthesia in both a hospital and office setting.

Dr. Rick has a multitude of hobbies and activities that he enjoys outside of the office. He is an avid sports fan and loves cheering on the Mariners, the Seattle Sounders, and especially the Seahawks. He also loves race cars, and he enjoys both watching races and participating in local club racing. When he has the time, he also likes to go four-wheeling.

When hes not cheering on the Seahawks or racing his BMW, Dr. Rick also enjoys spending time with his family at the lake. They love spending time out on the water, whether its boating, skiing, or wakeboarding. They love living in the Pacific Northwest, with all the different landscapes and adventures that it has to offer. They are always looking for new ways to take advantage of the area.

Dr. Carl Johnson grew up in a small mining town in Nevada. He didnt always know that he wanted to be an oral surgeon; rather, he discovered his interest in dentistry while he was studying for his undergraduate degree. While working for a professor in an embryology lab with his cousin, Dr. Carl realized that he wanted a career in a field that could help people. This work, combined with the inspiration from his father being an orthodontist, led Dr. Carl to go to dental school.

When he first started dental school, Dr. Carl had no intention of specializing in oral surgery. After a couple of years of education and training, however, he realized oral and maxillofacial surgery appealed to him. He was interested in providing patients with more comprehensive care than he could give them as a dentist. As an oral surgeon, he strives to treat patients with respect and care using the most efficient tools for an accurate diagnosis and efficient treatment. He finds it extremely gratifying to provide patients who are in pain with solutions that have them leaving the practice with a functional new smile.

Dr. Carl attended Brigham Young University and graduated in 1982 with a bachelors degree in zoology. He continued to the University of Nebraska College of Dentistry, where he graduated with honors in 1986 with his Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS).

Following dental school, Dr. Carl left the west coast to complete his oral and maxillofacial residency at Sinai Hospital of Detroit in Michigan. During his residency, Dr. Carl gained invaluable hands-on surgical experience treating a wide variety of oral and facial conditions. He trained alongside licensed professionals, including anesthesiologists, to allow him to provide the highest level of treatment and anesthesia to patients.

Dr. Carl is board-certified by the American Dental Society of Anesthesiologists after completing an extensive exam. This certification assures patients that he has the highest level of authorization to administer all forms of anesthesia and monitor patients during sedation.

In his spare time, Dr. Carl enjoys a wide variety of activities. He loves scuba diving and even dabbles as an amateur astronomer. He and his wife have three sons, two of whom work at the practice, two daughters, and nine grandchildren who keep him extremely busy. He loves living in the Pacific Northwest because it allows him to be close to his family.

Even when hes not in the office working, Dr. Carl enjoys meeting with the other doctors in the practice at least once a week to talk about the practice and make sure all bases are covered to provide patients with appropriate care.

Ben Johnson was inspired to go into oral surgery by his father, Dr. Carl Johnson, and their lifelong friend and colleague, Dr. Rick Edwards. He saw the differences they were able to make in patients lives and wanted to be able to do the same. Now, Dr. Ben works with his father on a daily basis and feels extremely lucky for the opportunity. He shares a similar philosophy with the other oral surgeons at Pacific Northwest Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons regarding patient care and satisfaction, which centers on providing highly focused, patient-centered treatment.

Dr. Ben strives to treat every patient like they are a part of the family. He understands that coming into the office for oral surgery can be a potentially anxious process, and he works hard to make each patients experience as comfortable as possible. Dr. Ben enjoys practicing oral surgery because it provides him with the opportunity to improve patients lives.

Dr. Ben attended college at Utah Valley University where he earned his bachelors degree in biology. After receiving his undergraduate degree, he continued on to Temple University in Philadelphia to obtain his Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry (DMD).

Following dental school, Dr. Ben completed a residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Cook County Hospital in Chicago. While at his residency, Dr. Ben trained to be able to perform a variety of surgical procedures. His training was heavily focused on routine and complex extractions, wisdom tooth removal, the placement of dental implants, and the treatment of jaw misalignments and diseases. His training alongside professionals, including licensed anesthesiologists, gave him the skills he needed to perform a full scope of oral and maxillofacial procedures.

Dr. Ben is a diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, which requires him to maintain an elite level of standards through lifelong learning, remain current on his skills, and practice in a safe and contemporary manner.

In his spare time, Dr. Ben enjoys spending time with his wife and children. He even met his wife in the office of an oral surgeon and loves telling the story that it was love at first bite. Dr. Ben and his wife have five beautiful childrenfour sons and a daughter. They are kept extremely busy with their kids various activities, and they are always looking for new adventures in the Pacific Northwest.

Dr. Ben loves family outings and vacations, as well as playing sports and participating in various outdoor activities. He enjoys hiking, fishing, and enjoying nature in any way that he can. He has also always loved cars, and in his spare time, he enjoys being a handyman and fixing anything he can.