Growing Up, and Finding Oregon
I grew up in New Mexico, where I spent much of my time playing sports, hiking, camping, and taking school seriously. While searching for colleges, I fell in love with Oregon's green landscape and quickly decided it was where I wanted to build my life. That decision has shaped everything since — my education, my career, and the community I now call home.
Education: From Chemistry to Dentistry
I graduated from the University of Oregon in 2015 with bachelor's degrees in Biochemistry and Human Physiology. After college, I worked as a chemist before beginning dental school at Oregon Health & Science University in 2018. That scientific background still shapes how I think through a diagnosis today — I like to understand the underlying mechanism, not just treat the symptom in front of me.
My Conservative Treatment Philosophy
During my training, I became especially interested in the shift toward more thoughtful and conservative dentistry. That philosophy continues to guide how I practice today. When it is clinically appropriate, I would rather monitor a small concern than treat it prematurely. This approach depends on a partnership with my patients — including consistent preventive visits and appropriate X-rays — so that we can identify changes early and intervene only when treatment is truly needed. My goal is straightforward: thoughtful dentistry, done conservatively.
My interest in preserving natural teeth is also personal. As a child, I had a front tooth knocked completely out during a baseball accident. It was replanted and later required root canal treatment, but I still have that tooth more than 25 years later. That experience shaped how I think about dental emergencies and reinforces my belief that a compromised tooth is often worth trying to save.
Continuing Education & Study Clubs
I enjoy providing a broad range of care, including fillings, crowns, root canal treatment, extractions, dentures, and dental implants. Over the past several years, I have completed more than 150 hours of continuing education focused on implant dentistry. I also participate regularly in multiple dental study clubs throughout the Portland area, where I collaborate with other clinicians and continue refining my approach to patient care.
Public Health & Community
Public health has always been deeply important to me and was one of the primary reasons I chose to become a doctor. Working in public health dentistry gave me the opportunity to care for people who might otherwise have difficulty accessing treatment, and it reinforced my belief that everyone deserves thoughtful, compassionate dental care. Although my longtime goal of building a successful private practice means I no longer work in public health full time, that commitment remains an important part of who I am. I will continue setting aside dedicated days to serve patients in public health settings and contribute to the broader community.
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I see patients at Lake Oswego Smiles — book directly through the office below.
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