Meet Dr. Kris Swanson
Swanson Dental Associates
Expertise & Leadership
Kris Swanson, DDS
Dr. Swanson & his family
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My Passion
As the owner of Swanson Dental Associates since 1992, I appreciate the opportunity to care for patients right in my own backyard. Since I was a young boy roaming the halls of my dad’s dental office, I have wanted to be a dentist and follow in his footsteps. I am truly blessed to have had the opportunity to practice with my father for more than 20 years and to be a part of a profession for which I have such passion.
Education
I received my Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Washington School of Business in 1983. From there, I became a Doctor of Dental Surgery, obtaining my degree from the University of Washington School of Dentistry in 1987. After graduating from dental school, I immediately went into private practice with my father Dr. Richard Swanson in Bellevue, Washington. My post graduate education has been extensive with an emphasis on conservative restorative, gold, cosmetic, and complex comprehensive dentistry. Three mentors have built the foundation of my practice philosophy: Dr. John Kois, Dr. Richard V. Tucker, and my father. I’ve spent thousands of hours with these world-class dentists helping build my knowledge and skill base as a restorative dentist.
Faculty Positions, Study Clubs, Lecturing and Publishing
My professional experience includes being an associate faculty member at the University of Washington. I guest mentored two separate Hawaii R. V. Tucker study clubs and was chosen to start and mentor a new R. V. Tucker study club in New Hampshire in 2004. After establishing and getting that club through its younger years, I was selected by Richard V. Tucker to direct the Tucker Institute, which I did from 2008 to 2012. I presented at the Pacific Northwest Dental Conference in both 2018 and 2019. Since receiving my Mentor status at the Kois Center in 2019, I have published several articles on a variety of restorative topics including a Kois Case of the Month article. I enjoy sharing my passion for dentistry while teaching at the UW dental school, mentoring Tucker Study Clubs or most recently mentoring at the Kois Center.
Being of Service
Together with the support of my staff, I organized and provided a free day of dental work for underserved children on the Eastside through the Bellevue Boys and Girls Club. We continued this great program for three years. Since then I have volunteered numerous days through the Jubilee Reach Program and Medical Teams Northwest mobile dental clinic. My family and I were fortunate to take a family mission trip through our church to Nicaragua where I was able to serve the local community by providing much needed, free dental care. Covid permitting, my wife Beth and I are hoping to travel to Kenya for a dental mission trip in the year ahead.
Activities Outside of Work
A Bellevue native, I raised my four wonderful children alongside my wife of 32 years in this same community. We have been active members of Bellevue First Presbyterian for more than 27 years. Besides enjoying golfing, hiking, skiing, and fishing, Beth and I most enjoy visiting and spending time with our adult children.
Professional Associations
American Dental Association
Washington State Dental Association
Seattle King County Dental Society
American College of Dentists
American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
Awards and Achievements
American Academy of Gold Foil Operator – Achievement Award
Richard V. Tucker Study Clubs – Service Award
Dental Benefits Committee – Professional Service Award for Chairman
Best Dentists in America Award
Seattle’s Best Dentist Award – 2006
Seattle Metropolitan Best Dentist Award, 2007 – 2021
Schultz three-year Advanced Restorative Program – Graduate
Kois – Creating Dental Excellence – Graduate and Mentor
Published multiple articles in Compendium and Inside Dentistry
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