Here's How Dr. Han Of Smiles Dental Is Transforming Dentistry

Smiles Dental is a locally-focused, multi-location Dental Support Organization (DSO) in the Pacific Northwest. Smiles has offices throughout Oregon and Washington and is continually expanding. The company’s vision is to positively reimagine and transform the total dental experience, with a mission to provide exceptional dental care that is patient-centric and community inclusive in a friendly and fun environment.

Dr. Yvonne Han, DMD of Smiles Dental, strives to treat her patients like family and offers the highest quality of dentistry at her practices. Read on to learn more about Dr. Han's philosophy and how she is helping patients overcome their dental anxiety.

Patch: Tell us about what led you to Smiles Dental.

Dr. Han: After graduation from Oregon Health and Sciences University (OHSU) with my DMD degree I started looking for employment in the Portland area. I was drawn to Smiles Dental for a number of reasons. I appreciate the clinical autonomy Smiles Dental gives to the dentists who work with them. They also encourage dentists to provide high-quality dentistry, as their mission states. Finally, when I visited with the offices and support teams, I got the sense that at Smiles Dental you are truly family. This is something that is very important to me.

Patch: You are currently working in and managing two practices. What are some of the challenges and benefits of doing this?

Dr. Han: Currently, I take care of patients from both the Smiles Dental practice on NE 82nd Avenue and the practice in the Hollywood District on NE 45th. Both practices are unique and there have certainly been a few challenges. We recently brought on some additional team members to help maintain our ability to provide the highest quality dental care to our patients. We are all really working together to improve and it has been a fun process. The biggest benefits to having two locations close together is it is more convenient to the patient. We are always here to help answer questions from anyone who calls or walks-in!

Patch: Tell us about your background and experience. How did you come to work in the dentistry field?

Dr. Han: I came to the United States 9 years ago from China. Growing up, I did not have a lot of access to dental care and subsequently I experienced a lot of dental pain. This gave me some dental anxiety. When I arrived in the States, I found a dentist who was very nice and very comforting. We worked together to improve my own oral health and I became a more confident individual. When I was a sophomore in college and needed to choose a major, I knew dentistry was the direction I wanted to go. Dentistry truly changes one’s oral health and overall wellbeing. I want to be able to take care of others, the way my dentist helped take care of me.

Patch: How do you and your team help calm those patients with dental anxiety?

Dr. Han: I think first of all I want all my patients to know that I have been in their shoes when it comes to dental pain and anxiety. That was me! To help them overcome the fear, I take time to explain each step of the process. I want them to understand how dental treatment will help improve their wellbeing. I take time to get to know my patients and understand their situation. My number one priority is the patient and I let them make the decision about their dental health, rather than trying to push treatment on them that they are not ready for. I often focus on the manta of “I am taking care of a person, not treating a tooth.”

Patch: What three tips can you offer to readers seeking to improve or maintain their oral hygiene?

Dr. Han: I cannot place enough importance on the following suggestions for better oral health:

1. Brush your teeth twice per day, for two minutes each time!
2. Floss at least once per day.
3. Use a mouthwash or rinse at least once per day.

These three things will greatly help to improve oral health. It’s also a really good idea to try and visit the dentist for a professional cleaning at least twice per year!

Patch: How can Patch readers contact you and learn more about your Smiles Dental practice?

Dr. Han: As I mentioned we have two locations in the NE Portland area:

2150 NE 82nd Avenue Portland, OR 97220

Our hours at this location are Monday 9:00am-6:00pm, Tuesday and every other Wednesday 8:00am-5:00pm. You can call our office to schedule an appointment at 503-505-9599 or visit us online!

1904 NE 45th Avenue Portland, OR 97213

Our hours at this location are every other Wednesday 8:00am-5:00pm, Thursday and Friday 7:00am-4:00pm. You can call our office to schedule an appointment at 503-278-5455 or visit us online!

Both of our locations are also active on Facebook.

Image Credit: Smiles Dental