What do you get when you cross a teacher and a dentist? Informed patients. And that’s a big part of the mission of Dr. Melody Pongmanopap and her team at Smiles Dental in Tumwater. They strive to have a “patient-centric and community inclusive” atmosphere where you feel informed and in control of your own dental health.
Dr. Pongmanopap always had an interest in health care. Born and raised in southern California, her interest was in place even after her graduation from UC Berkeley when she was recruited for Teach for America, a two-year program that places teachers in urban or rural schools. As a result, she observed different health care professions to see which one fit her best. While shadowing a dental office, she noticed the great one-on-one interactions with patients and how art and science are used to create new smiles. She was also influenced by one of her mentors sharing how he enjoyed being able to visibly see the results of the work he did each day and how it changed people’s lives.
Dr. Pongmanopap and her husband Albert moved to the Olympia area when she was accepted to a one-year general dental residency in Tacoma. Being outdoor enthusiasts, they quickly fell in love with the area and all it offers. When not in the office, they love to hike Mount Rainier, kayak and camp on the Olympic Peninsula. After her year-long residency, she joined Smiles Dental.
However, she didn’t leave teaching behind. Instead, she uses the skills she learned as a teacher to help her patients each day. “With Teach for America, I learned how to interact with people from a wide range of backgrounds and personalities,” Dr. Pongmanopap shares. “The students really challenged me to see from their perspective and their background, which is a tool I use when discussing treatment plans with my patients.”
Dr. Pongmanopap also uses her teaching methodology when she is talking to patients. “I find ways to break down dental terminology that my patients can understand,” she says. “I have a responsibility to my patients to explain to them what’s going on with their dental health and the options they have available to them. This helps my patients make more informed decisions about their dental health.”
Has your dentist ever referenced “tooth number 13″ or used another obscure dental term? Dr. Pongmanopap will take the time to explain the work she needs to do and why in a way patients can understand.
Smiles Dental Welcomes Julie DeFant
Julie DeFant may be a recent addition to the Smiles Dental team, but she is definitely no stranger to Olympia. Born and raised in Thurston County, she was a patient at Smiles Dental in Tumwater growing up. In fact, it was her doctor – Dr. Bernard Dolby who first opened the Tumwater location – that ignited her interest in dentistry. “I went on a mission trip to Mexico with Dr. Dolby,” DeFant says. “This really sparked my interest in the dental industry.”
As an adult, she has worked in several healthcare fields including audiology, dentistry and chiropractic. “The important thing for me is being able to take care of patients,” she explains. “I love people and I love taking care of them.”
In 2005, she received her degree in dental hygiene from Lake Washington Technical College while working as a dental assistant. Since then, she has worked in a few dental practices in the area before joining Smiles Dental in June 2017. “I have a long history with this practice, having been a patient during my childhood,” DeFant says. “I am so excited to be a part of the team as an employee.”
Broad Range of Services and Financing Available
Dr. Pongmanopap and her team focus on general dentistry with a wide-range of services including night guards, oral cancer screenings, sedation dentistry (oral sedation or nitrous oxide), dentures and restorative work on implants. Dr. Pongmanopap is also a certified Invisalign® provider.
Smiles Dental offers in-house financing as an option and you can be pre-approved on the Smiles Dental website. They also are in-network for several insurance plans, including United Healthcare used by the military. “We proudly serve and support the military members and families at our practice,” says Dr. Pongmanopap and each November they offer a military discount to Veterans as a way of saying thank you.
The Smiles Dental team is as passionate about giving back to our community as they are about patient care. “Giving back to the community we live and work in is something that’s important to us and is part of our company culture,” says Dr. Pongmanopap. They participate in family health days at the nearby mall and participate in the Lacey Spring Fun Fair (in partnership with their Lacey Location). And, each February they host a Gift of Smiles event offering free dental care for those who otherwise cannot afford it.
Currently, Smiles Dental is donating $10 to the Thurston County Food Bank for every new patient that comes in as a referral.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit the Smiles Dental website or call 360-464-9797.
Smiles Dental
344 Cleveland Ave, Ste F in Tumwater
Monday-Wednesday 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Thursday 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
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