Dr.
Steve Yang
Dr. Steve Yang grew up in the Seattle area and calls the Northwest home.
He graduated from Charles Wright Academy High School in 1988 and entered
the University of Washington and graduated with a Bachelor of Science
degree in biology in 1992. From 1992-1996, Dr. Yang attended the University
of Washington School of Dentistry and graduated with a Doctor of Dental
Surgery degree.
During the summer of 1992, Dr. Yang researched the role of salivary proteins in diabetic patients. Since diabetic patients restrict sugar intake in their diet, they should theoretically have less dental decay. However findings have shown that diabetic patients actually have a higher rate of dental decay. Dr. Yang's research discovered that diabetic patients have less of certain types of proteins in their saliva; and these proteins play a crucial role in preventing cavities. Dr. Yang's work won a research award and was published in a scientific journal. He traveled to Chicago to present the research findings to his dental peers during the National Dental Convention.
After graduation from dental school, Dr. Yang went to Taiwan for a half year to learn from and work with his father, also a doctor of dental surgery. Dr. Yang developed an appreciation for dentistry from a different perspective and a different culture. During his time in Taiwan, Dr. Yang also worked in a dental laboratory and mastered his skills in making dentures, crowns, and bridges.
During his time off, Dr. Yang likes to spend time with his wife Sophy, son Ethan and daughter Chloe. They love to go to the Zoo, Aquarium, and play Wii. Both Dr Yang and Sophy are not only Husky Alumni, they are also avid Husky football fans. Dr. Yang also enjoys watching sports and is fanatic about playing golf. He has been collecting baseball cards and other sports memorabilia for many years.
Dentistry is a profession that is always evolving and advancing. Dr. Yang values continuing education, attends seminars and participates in study clubs in the never ending process of learning. He is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), John Smith Study Club, and the internationally acclaimed Seattle Study Club.
So why practice dentistry? Dr. Yang grew up around dentistry. He truly enjoys meeting people and establishing a caring, long term relationship. His work as a dentist brings pleasure and satisfaction in seeing improvements in the patients' oral health.
Barb joined our office in January 2007. She has extensive dental experience having worked in dentistry for over 15 years. Barb's top priority is to provide outstanding customer service and patient care. Barb assists patients in scheduling appointments, coordinating dental benefits and financial arrangements.
Born and raised in Tacoma, Barb
moved to the Eastside in 2001. She and her husband reside in Renton
and welcomed their first child, Avery in April 2008. Barb loves
to spend time hiking, watching reality TV shows, and cheering for the
local sport teams.
Debbie joined our staff with 30 years of retail experience. She prides herself in providing excellent customer care. She is trained in various areas of the office and provides assistance where it is needed. Debbie always has a warm smile to brighten your day and patient comfort is her top priority.
Debbie was born in Snoqualmie and has live in Renton since 1967. She has three daughters and one precious granddaughter. The oldest daughter graduated from WSU and is married. Middle daughter works for a surgeon in Bellevue. Her youngest attends Cornell University with a goal of becoming a physician. Debbie's passions in life includes spending time with family and friends, gardening, interior decorating, and visiting vineyards while at her vacation home in Eastern WA.
Jamie was born in Spokane and grew up in Renton where she graduated from Kentridge Hih School. She earned a degree in Communication from Washington State University. After working in television advertising sales for a couple years, she realized her desire to work in a field that would allow her to make more of a personal impact. Jamie returned to school to study dental hygiene and graduated with honors from Pierce College in 2005. Jamie is a member of the South Shore Dental Hygiene Study Club, American Dental Hygiene Association, and Washington State Dental Hygiene Association.
Jamie and her husband resides in Renton Highlands, and they welcomed their first child, Owen, in June 2008 and Haley in November 2010. Outside of work, Jamie loves to spend time with her children, watch reality television, read and work on crafts.
Aruna:
Assistant
Aruna was born and raised in the tropical paradise Fiji Islands.
She taught school there for 16 years before moving to the Emerald City
in 1990. She graduated with honors from Renton Technical College
with a degree in Dental Assisting and has been a member of our staff since
1991. Aruna is a certified member of the American Dental Assistant
Association (ADAA) and is knowledgeable on the latest dental learnings
with her pursue of the ADAA Fellowship. Her friendly smile and dedication
to patient comfort help ease patients' dental anxieties.
Aruna lives in Renton with her husband Vijay. She has two daughters and three handsome grandsons. Her hobbies include gardening, sewing, traveling and preparing delicacies for her family.
Melissa was born and raised in Kent, Washington. She knew early on she was going to have a career in dentistry. After receiving her A.A. degree from Highline Community College, Melissa continued her dental assistant training at Pima Medical Institute. She has been working as a dental assistant for the past eleven years and enjoys brightening up patient's day by trading receipes, exchanging books and telling a joke or two.
Outside of work, Melissa is
married with three children; a boy a girl and another son that is almost
three years old. She enjoys spending time with her family, attending
church, reading, baking, sewing, and crafting. Melissa also likes
to stay active by playing in several softball leagues.
