Creating an inviting, friendly dental office in Burke is what weve worked tirelessly to do for you since Dr. Kirsten Donohue first purchased Sunshine Dentists in 2008. Its part of a constant commitment to patients like you and your family to provide compassionate dentistry in Northern Virginia.
When you choose to count on us as your oral health guide to better overall well-being, youll receive nothing but the highest quality of clinical care and a relaxing environment with an emphasis on empathy for you and your smile. Everyone from Dr. Donohue and Dr. Bita Ellis to our amazing team of dental health professionals do what they do because they enjoy getting to know you as a person, not just a set of teeth. We create relationships with our patients that span generations.
In your past dental experiences, were you ever in an office with your dentist and thought, I never feel comfortable here? If thats the case, youll never want to keep up with regular checkups and cleanings, which can cause problems with your oral and overall health.
Suppose your mind is set on seeking out comprehensive, compassionate dentistry in Northern Virginia. In that case, you can stop searching and scrolling through the endless mess of websites and make us your hometown dental office in Burke.
You arent just a number to us. Theres no corporate rhetoric or rules we have to follow. You get personalized, custom care, and treatment plans that are created based on your goals and expectations not the other way around. Your Sunshine Dentists:
My passion is to give patients the smile theyve always wanted, improving their confidence and self-esteem along the way. I believe that dentistry is a team effort between each patient and me. When patients have a complex set of needs, I like to co-diagnose and help the patient discover the best possible solution. I never pressure anyone into treatment, but provide education and options to allow people to take control of their oral health. I am proud to be a dentist and hope to give patients the best care possible at each visit.
I am blessed to have an amazing team. We have the most talented and genuinely wonderful people from front to back. Most important, everyone collaborates and works together for our patients benefit. In my decades of practice, I have never worked with such a cohesive group that pushes one another to be their best and serve our patients.
I hope that our team can make the entire process easy for patients, from the very first phone call to billing their insurance, and checking in the next day after treatment. All with a smile and ease that makes each experience positive.
I continuously strive to be the best dentist possible. My motto has always been, If Im not learning, Im moving backward. Our patients deserve our very best, and it keeps me sharp to stay abreast of the most up-to-date treatments and dental research. I regularly attend 100 hours or more of continuing education courses annually to stay up to date for my patients, including regular meetings with a SPEAR Study Club. I also completed a one-year mini-residency studying sleep dentistry and preventing obstructive sleep apnea.
I spent seven years practicing in the United States Army treating soldiers and residency training. I was deployed to Iraq in 2004 with an airborne medical unit from Fort Bragg, and to this day, I love treating military families.
My husband Tommy and I have two amazing daughters, Karen and Kate, and an adorable yellow lab named Prince. I am a Girl Scout leader and volleyball coach who is most happy spending time with my family. My other interests include fly fishing, being outdoors, camping, painting, photography, traveling, and exercising. As a native of Western Pennsylvania, I also love the Pittsburgh Steelers. I appreciate being a part of this amazing community, and it is my goal to give back to an area that has given me and my family so much over the years. I volunteer with the Northern Virginia Dental Association, which has a dental clinic in Fairfax County, and have worked with various Mission of Mercy projects throughout the years. Ive also completed two volunteer trips to the Dominican Republic for dental surgical procedures.
They say, a smile is the window to the soul, so the fact that my job allows me to care for that smile is one of the most rewarding opportunities of my life. Being in the dental field since 2003 has given me the opportunity to help patients of all ages care for their smiles in many ways. Whether that comes in the form of teaching a patient proper oral hygiene, helping mend a broken tooth, or raising their self-esteem with a smile make-over, I make sure that every patient gets my best every time.
I believe optimal dental care is more than just what I do. True comprehensive care comes in the form of a team-based approach. Part of that team you will find in the office. They help with everything from billing, to scheduling, to making your time in the office a great experience. The rest of our extended team are the talented specialists that we have forged solid and trusting relationships with over the years. Having such a talented cohesive team greatly enhances my abilities to deliver tailored dental care.
That being said, I dont believe in pushing treatment on patients, but rather to look, listen, educate, and recommend. I want each and every patient to feel they had a chance to discuss and understand why we are doing a procedure as well as possible alternatives. I love what I do and find forging wonderful, long term relationships with my patients very rewarding.
I believe that continuing to keep myself up to date on the latest techniques and procedures is critical to my ability to give the best that I can to all of my patients. I am a member of a number of study clubs in the Northern Virginia area, including the Zimmer Biomet Implant Study Club, the NOVA Periodontics and Cosmetics Study Club, and the NOVA Surgicare Multidisciplinary Study Club. I try to focus my continuing education on implant-based treatment options, optimal cosmetic restoration in all aspects of dentistry, and achieving long term successful outcomes. Staying at the top of my game means that I must remain a lifetime learner, something I am fully committed to.
I am blessed with a wonderful family that includes my husband, Michael, and our two children Kaitlyn and Austin. We recently welcome the newest addition to our family, our beautiful Golden-doodle, Mali. I am an avid exercise enthusiast, where I love to push myself on everything from running to yoga and especially biking on my Peloton. At the same time though, nothing beats a relaxing evening binge-watching something on Netflix or enjoying a good book and glass of wine. I love to travel and see the world, taking in new cultural experiences, trying new foods, and always striving to grow as a person. I am an active member of the Burke / Fairfax Station community where I volunteer at many of my kids functions as well as helping out at the annual Give Kids a Smile event as well as multiple Missions of Mercy.
Hai-Uyen is a graduate of Howard University and has been working in dentistry since 2009. She joined the Sunshine Dentists' team in 2018. As a dental hygienist, Hai-Uyen considers herself a dental advocate -...
Dominique is a graduate of the Dental Career Academy Program at West Potomac High School and has been working in dentistry since 2006. As a dental assistant, her responsibilities are generally the same each...
Ying is a graduate of Northern Virginia Community College and George Mason University who has been working in dentistry since 2009. Shes been a member of our team since 2017. At Sunshine Dentists, Ying...
Neda has been working in dentistry for well over a decade and joined Sunshine Dentists in 2013. As a dental assistant, you might see her at the office helping provide excellent patient care, working...
Angelica is a graduate of DATS Dental Assistant School and has been with Sunshine Dentists since 2014. Shes worked in dentistry since 2004. As our trusted office manager, Angelica helps create custom treatment plans,...
Cindy is a graduate of MIHT or the Metropolitan Institute of Health and Technology and has been working in dentistry since 2010. Youll most likely see her around the office helping patients, providing exceptional...
Stacie has been working in dentistry since 2011 and has been a part of the Sunshine Dentists team since 2020. Her responsibilities as a dental assistant include providing outstanding patient care, assisting the doctors...