Whether I am treating a complex comprehensive case that requires several months and phases of treatment or providing basic dental care to a patient, my greatest joy in dentistry is found in the day-to-day and year-to-year relationships built with the patients. These relationships carry over to the great staff I am fortunate to have as well. Without their trust, support, and teamwork, I could not provide the high level of care that I strive to. I also love the continual learning and teaching aspects of this job. Understanding how dental disease and problems can affect a person’s overall health, well-being and quality of life is a key factor in treating that individual successfully. At the end of the day, I can help my patient understand his or her dental condition and options for care. At that point my patient can make a well informed healthcare decision. This important communication provides the foundation for changing people’s lives for the better.

Education

This profession means a true commitment to gaining and maintaining the education necessary to provide patients with the finest dental care the profession has to offer. I attended the University of Arizona, graduating in 1992 with my Bachelor of Arts degree in English. I continued on to the Oregon Health Sciences University where I earned my Doctorate of Dental Medicine in 2000. I completed my Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency at the University of California Los Angeles in 2001.

Continuing Education

Health care, especially dentistry, is constantly evolving and improving.  Since graduating from my post-doctoral residency at U.C.L.A., I have averaged well over 100 hours of continuing education a year focusing on esthetic and implant dentistry.   For the last eight years I have been involved with the Kois Center in Seattle, Washington where I completed coursework in all aspects of restorative dentistry over a 3-year period. After completing this curriculum in 2010 I achieved Clinical Instructor status. As a Clinical Instructor I help facilitate intensive 3-day classes on topics that help dentists understand how to provide comprehensive cosmetic dentistry in a manner that increases predictability and longevity of treatment, while reducing the patients risk for requiring additional dental treatment. This type of forum is unique in that treatment philosophies, dental materials and dental equipment are under constant review to find what is most predictable for treating patients. The end result is delivering the highest level in patient care.

In the Community

Since moving to Bend local and world community service has been an important focus of mine.  Since arriving in 2001, I have given my time to the H.M. Kemple Clinic providing dental care to the underprivileged children in central Oregon.  For the last eight years I have been an active Rotarian in the Mt. Bachelor Rotary Club and in 2008, I led a small group of Rotarians to Mujule, Mexico in Baja Sur to a rural health clinic to provide dental care to the local population in need. In July and August of 2010, I traveled to Ladakh, India in the northern Himalayas to provide dental care to the students and staff of a Buddhist boarding school. None of these people had previously had any type of health care provider.

Family Life

I am a native Oregonion originally from Eugene, and have resided in Bend since 2001. My wife, Lynnette, and I have one son, Jack, two daughters, Sophie and Romi, and a Yellow Lab named Cal. Spending time with my family outdoors skiing, fishing and cycling is my favorite way to spend my free time. When I get the chance, I love to go back to Eugene to enjoy University of Oregon college athletic events as well as traveling outside the U.S. to experience and enjoy as much of the world as possible.