Dental Care Built on Genuine Compassion

Gentle Dental Guide was founded on a simple conviction: every patient deserves to feel respected, informed, and at ease — regardless of their dental history, anxiety level, or past experiences. That belief shapes every interaction we have, every day.

2008
Year Founded
3
Board-Certified Providers
12
Clinical Team Members

"Our mission is to transform the dental experience — from something patients dread to something they genuinely trust and value."

Compassion-First Transparent Communication Evidence-Based Care Family-Friendly Anxiety-Aware Community-Rooted

A Practice Rooted in Purpose

Gentle Dental Guide was born from a deeply personal experience. Founder Dr. Amelia Thornton grew up with severe dental anxiety — the kind that meant cancelled appointments, sleepless nights before procedures, and years of deferred care that ultimately cost far more to correct.

When she graduated from dental school and began building her own practice, she was determined to do something different. She designed every aspect of the Gentle Dental Guide experience around the patient she once was: someone who needed more than clinical competence. Someone who needed to feel genuinely safe.

"I built this practice for the patient who hasn't been to a dentist in years — and I want them to feel, from the first phone call, that they've finally found a place where they belong."

Since opening in 2008 at our Broadway location, we've grown from a solo practice into a multidisciplinary team of specialists — but our founding philosophy has never changed. Every morning we open our doors, our goal is the same: to be the practice that changes the way someone thinks about dental care forever.

The Values Behind Our Practice

We don't just hang these on a wall — they're the lens through which we make every clinical and operational decision in our practice.

Trust Through Honesty

We never recommend treatment that isn't genuinely in your best interest. We present all options — including the conservative "wait and watch" approach — and let you make informed decisions without pressure.

Communication Without Jargon

We explain what we're doing, why we're doing it, and what to expect — in plain language. An informed patient is a partner in their own care, and partners get better outcomes.

Comfort as a Clinical Priority

Patient comfort isn't an afterthought — it's part of the treatment plan. From our waiting room music to our sedation protocols, every detail is considered with your ease in mind.

Evidence-Based Excellence

Our team pursues continuing education aggressively — attending national conferences, completing advanced training, and staying at the forefront of dental science and technology.

Inclusive, Welcoming Space

Dental care should be accessible to everyone. We welcome patients of all backgrounds, abilities, and circumstances — and we actively work to remove barriers to care wherever we can.

Rooted in Our Community

This community has trusted us for nearly two decades, and we take that seriously. We support local schools, community health events, and neighborhood initiatives throughout the year.

Meet Our Clinical Team

Every provider at Gentle Dental Guide brings both deep expertise and a genuine commitment to the human side of healthcare.

Dr. Amelia Thornton, DDS
Founder & Lead Dentist

Dr. Thornton completed her dental training at the University of Washington School of Dentistry and pursued advanced fellowships in restorative and cosmetic dentistry. With 18 years of private practice experience, she leads with both clinical excellence and deep personal empathy — having been a dental-anxious patient herself. She is passionate about mentorship, training her team, and building lifelong relationships with patients and families.

UW School of Dentistry AACD Member Invisalign® Preferred
Dr. Marcus Webb, DMD
Implants & Oral Surgery

Dr. Webb earned his DMD from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and completed a surgical residency with a focus on implantology and hard tissue reconstruction. He joined Gentle Dental Guide in 2015 and has since placed over 1,200 implants with exceptional outcomes. His calm, methodical demeanor puts even the most apprehensive surgical patients at ease.

Tufts University DMD Board Certified Oral Surgery ITI Fellow
Dr. Sofia Reyes, DDS
Pediatric & Family Dentist

Dr. Reyes received her DDS from the University of California San Francisco and completed a pediatric dentistry residency at a leading regional children's hospital. She has a remarkable gift for connecting with children and helping anxious patients of all ages find their footing in the dental chair. Outside the practice, she volunteers at community dental health fairs throughout King County.

UCSF School of Dentistry Children's Hospital Residency AAPD Member
Kristin Hale, RDH
Lead Registered Dental Hygienist

With 14 years of clinical experience, Kristin is beloved by patients for her thorough yet genuinely gentle technique. She holds advanced certification in periodontal therapy and laser-assisted hygiene, and takes special interest in helping patients manage gum disease through personalized maintenance programs. Patients often specifically request her by name.

RDH Certification Laser Hygiene Certified 14 Years Experience
Accreditations & Affiliations

Credentials You Can Rely On

American Dental Association

All clinicians are active ADA members and uphold the association's code of professional ethics.

Continuing Education

Our team collectively completes over 100 CE hours annually — well above state requirements.

HIPAA Compliant

Patient data is protected by full HIPAA-compliant systems and rigorous privacy protocols.

State Licensed & Compliant

All providers are fully licensed and in full compliance with applicable state dental licensing requirements.

Come Experience the Difference

We'd love to meet you. New patients are always welcome — schedule your first visit and find out why so many families call us their dental home.

Book Your First Visit