PRESIDENT
Dr. Kang graduated with his Masters in Medical Science and Certificate in Endodontics from Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Kang earned his DMD degree from the University of Pennsylvania with the Louis I. Grossman Award along with many awards throughout his dental training. He finished his undergraduate degree from Georgia Institute of Technology with a computer engineering degree.
Prior to having a career change into dentistry, Dr. Kang worked for IBM as an engineer for a few years. Ever since, he has been applying his engineering background in his approach to patient care and furthermore strives to improve his practice of dentistry with technologies whenever possible. Some of the projects he has been working on through the Harvard Innovation Lab and with his colleagues include: DentoQ, Inc (social network for dentists) and Heads Up Display (HUD) for endodontic microscope with TSME, Inc.
Dr. Kang believes one of the most important things in patient care is communication with patients. He really enjoys spending time with patients and answering any questions that patients have about dental treatment and root canal therapies.
He has served many patients and general dentists in Boston and its surrounding areas prior to arriving in Seattle. While he misses his colleagues and patients that he has worked with in Boston, he says he won’t miss the 5 months of debilitating snow season.
Professionally, he has presented his research at the American Association of Endodontists meetings and moderated several presentations during the meetings. He also has taught pre-doctorate students in Endodontics at Harvard University.
Aside from work, he enjoys spending time with family, watching movies, and working on his Jeep that he has had since high school. Enjoys outdoors and snowboarding. He is looking forward to meeting and working with patients and doctors in the vibrant city of Seattle!
VICE PRESIDENT
Dr. Nima Dejbod is a Washington native. Dr. Nima graduated from the University of Washington with a BS in Biochemistry in 2004. During his collegiate career, Dr. Nima conducted extensive research for five years, was accepted into a fellowship at the Friday Harbor Laboratories in the San Juan Islands and received numerous research awards. In addition, Dr. Nima played an instrumental role in his fraternity’s philanthropy to help raise $250,000 for the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Institution towards aiding cancer research.
Dr. Nima received his Ivy-League dental training at the prestigious and renowned University of Pennsylvania in 2009 where he graduated with his Doctorate of Medical Dentistry degree at the top of his class. He then sought out to specialize exclusively in the field of Endodontics. He obtained his Certificate of Endodontics in 2011 at the University of Pennsylvania and also received the highly coveted Louis I. Grossman Award as the top endodontic resident. Dr. Nima has also done externships at Boston University, University of Texas San Antonio and the Veteran Affairs Hospital in Philadelphia. Dr. Nima has taught and lectured to pre-doctoral dental students, dentists, U.S. and International trained endodontists for two years at the University of Pennsylvania as well.
Dr. Nima is an active Specialist Member of the American Association of Endodontists, and currently serves as the Vice President of the Washington State Association of Endodontists. He is also appointed to the Exhibits Advisory Committee for the American Association of Endontists and has previously served on the Dental Benefits Committee as well. On a state and local level, has been involved with the American Dental Association, Washington State Dental Association and Seattle-King County Dental Society. Currently, Dr. Nima is a lifetime donor and member of the University of Washington Alumni Association. Dr. Nima regularly attends meetings and continuing education courses in order to provide the latest and best and highest quality dental and endodontic care and treatment for his patients.
Outside of his extreme passion for endodontics, Dr. Nima enjoys meeting new people, trying new restaurants, cooking, developing innovative technologies in dentistry, watching Seahawks football, and playing a wide variety of sports from tennis, skiing, golfing, paragliding, scuba diving, skydiving, wakeboarding, white water rafting, hiking, along with photography and traveling.
TREASURER
Dr. David J. Kang graduated from some of the most prestigious universities around the US and world! Dr. Kang grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina and earned his bachelor’s degree in Computer engineering from Georgia Tech.
Dr. Kang worked as a computer engineer at IBM before he joined the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland for his master’s degree in Biotechnology.
He worked with Samsung Biologics briefly before he joined the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine where he earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree.
Upon the completion of his dental degree, Dr. Kang joined Endodontics residency at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts. Dr. Kang earned his second master’s degree in Oral Biology Medical Science and a certificate in Endodontics from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine in Boston.
Dr. David Kang believes patient education is a critical component in successful treatments. Dr. Kang always spends time with his patients going over details of diagnosis and prognosis based on clinical evaluations and research studies recommending evidence-based treatments. All of his patients and referring doctors complement and appreciate him for his great chair-side manner!
Academically, Dr. David Kang has been very active and engaging. Dr. Kang is a faculty member with NYU Langone Hospitals AEGD Program teaching residents in Endodontics. Dr. Kang loves to share his passion and knowledge with residents as he also learns from his residents. At Harvard, Dr. Kang was actively engaged with other dental schools, Boston University and Tufts dental school. Dr. Kang presented and led case seminar studies with Endodontics residents and faculty members from both Boston University and Tufts University Endodontics departments. He is looking forward to meet and work with new patients and doctors in Seattle!
SECRETARY
Dr. Avina Paranjpe BDS, MS, MSD, PhD
Dr. Avina Paranjpe graduated with her BDS (Bachelor of Dental Surgery) degree from the Mumbai University, India in 2000. She was in private practice in Mumbai, India from 2000-2002 after which she obtained her Master’s degree (MS) and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Oral Biology, Immunology from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2004 and 2007 respectively. Dr. Paranjpe earned her Master of Science in Dentistry (MSD) and Certificate in Endodontics from the University of Washington Graduate Endodontics Program in August 2009 after which she joined the faculty at the University of Washington, School of Dentistry as Assistant Professor. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics. Dr. Paranjpe is involved in several ongoing research projects related to dental materials and regenerative Endodontics. She has numerous publications in the area of pulpal regeneration and revascularization, immunology, compatibility of biomaterials.