What Sets Us Apart
Excellence in Bellevue Dental Care
Past, Present, & Future
Serving Families Since 1960
At Swanson Dental Associates, we have provided third and fourth generations of family members with comprehensive general, cosmetic, and reconstructive dentistry.
We practice dentistry with kindness, care, and attention to detail. Many of our hygiene and office team members have been with us for fifteen or more years, so you will get used to seeing the same friendly faces each time you come in. Our empathetic staff will keep you informed and answer any questions regarding what you can expect every step of the way.
Our History
Dr. Richard D. Swanson founded Swanson Dental Associates in 1960 and was one of the first handful of dentists to open an office in the Bellevue area. He grew the practice into one of the most trusted family practices in the greater Seattle area, attracting patients from across the region. During his time in private practice, Dr. Swanson was appointed by the Washington State Governor, Dixie Lee Ray, as dental examiner. He was on the faculty of the University of Washington School of Dentistry, and he was actively involved in dental politics as an advocate for dental health.
After graduating from dental school, Dr. Swanson’s son Kris joined his father in practice, learning hands-on from one of the very best. Father and son worked together for more than two decades, providing children, teens, and adults with leading-edge techniques for optimum oral health.
Swanson Dental Today
Today, we are located in downtown Bellevue inside the Overlake Hospital Campus, which is nationally recognized for its excellence in many areas of medicine. We are the only dental practice on the entire Overlake campus, and we provide dental care to many of the area’s best medical professionals.
Dr. Kris Swanson, his associate Dr. Brian Mills, and the Swanson dental team continue to provide dentistry with a focus on prevention, function, and aesthetics. In their approach to patient care, they honor the legacy of quality that was created sixty years ago by Dr. Richard D. Swanson. Some days, Dr. Richard D. Swanson still stops into the practice to check in and say “hello” to patients.
A spirit of continuing education is fostered at our practice. Dr. Kris Swanson and Dr. Mills make it a priority to stay at the forefront of the latest advancements in dental treatments, state-of-the-art techniques, and technology. They are committed to ongoing dental education, advanced courses, and involvement in dental study groups with the country’s finest dentists. In 2020, they were both recognized by Seattle Met Magazine for the “Best DDS” award. Dr. Swanson is also a Mentor at the world-renowned Kois Center, which trains dentists from around the world in advanced restorative treatments. He also regularly provides articles that detail his techniques and philosophies to medical journals. This emphasis on continuing education allows us to provide you with a range of the best treatment options, so you can make the choice that is best for you. Read Dr Swanson’s Articles Here.
We are focused on treating each patient as an individual, making sure that every single person is informed, educated, and comfortable. Our full-service, patient-driven practice allows us to go beyond our patients’ expectations by getting to know them, not only in regard to their treatment, but also on a personal level. We have a relationship with our patients and their families, understanding their likes, their habits, and their needs. Through these unique bonds, we strive to create an atmosphere that takes the stress out of dentistry, with an office environment that feels like home. During your appointment, you can even listen to your favorite music or watch cable TV on the monitors inside your treatment room.
We provide a range of treatments all under one roof, and we understand how valuable your time is. We have eight treatment rooms and three to four hygienists on staff each day, which means that we are able to serve your entire family, often with same-time appointments.
Providing general, cosmetic, and reconstructive dentistry to patients ages three to 93+ is our business.
Today, Dr. Kris Swanson and Dr. Brian Mills carry on the tradition of excellent dental care.
Click each image to view a larger version of this archival article from the 1950s about Dr. Richard D. Swanson.
We partnered with Illumitrac to launch an in-office loyalty plan to help manage the cost of dental care for the uninsured patient. Please ask for details or visit our Illumitrac Loyalty Program page.
Often referred to as “invisible braces," Invisalign is a great alternative to traditional wire braces. Using clear aligners, Invisalign can straighten crowded, crooked, or gapped teeth, and it does so typically faster than traditional braces at a similar or lesser cost. We offer Invisalign here at our office.
Schedule an appointment with us to find out if this treatment would be a good option for you. For patients in need of more extensive orthodontic work, we can refer you to a trusted orthodontist.
Over 60 years ago, the original founder of Swanson Dental Associates, Dr. Richard D. Swanson, graduated from the University of Washington School of Dentistry, where he later also served on the faculty. His son, Dr. Kris Swanson, followed in his father’s footsteps, graduating from the same program in 1983. Associate Dr. Brian Mills is a third generation Washington Husky and also a proud graduate of the University Washington School of Dentistry.
UW’s dental program has long been recognized as one of the strongest programs in the world. As of 2019, the University of Washington School of Dentistry was ranked No. 2 in the world among dental schools in the new Academic Ranking of World Universities by the ShanghaiRanking Consultancy.
Go Huskies! (But don’t worry, we also love seeing patients who are WSU Cougars or other Husky rivals).
We are accredited through the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. AACD's Accreditation Program was formed in 1985 and began offering postgraduate certification in the field in 1986. AACD Accreditation has grown into the preeminent cosmetic dentistry testing standard within dentistry, including written exams and submission of actual case-work in specific cosmetic dentistry disciplines.
Seeing an AACD accredited dentist helps to ensure that you are receiving care from a dentist with advanced knowledge, skills, and expertise in cosmetic dentistry.
Each year, Seattle Met Magazine assembles a list of the best dental practitioners in the Seattle metropolitan area. Dr. Swanson has been voted “Best DDS” every year since the award’s inception in 2007. In 2020, both Dr. Swanson and Dr. Mills were awarded this honor. When you come to our office, you are seeing not just one but two of the top dentists in the Puget Sound area.
Contact Us
SWANSON DENTAL ASSOCIATES
OVERLAKE MEDICAL TOWER/BUILDING 3
1135 116TH AVENUE NE, SUITE 580
BELLEVUE, WASHINGTON 98004
(425) 454-4434