Colby Cockrell, DMD
General Dentist & Managing Partner
Educational Background: After graduating from the University of Washington in 2003, I attended dental school at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts, graduating in 2008.
Continuing Education Courses Attended: Implant Seminars Continuum Course – an 8 day, 88 continuing education credit intensive course with a live patient component, placing 20 implants on patients in the Dominican Republic. Ongoing Continuing Education through Spear Online Education.
What year did you join the current practice and/or group? 2010.
Why do you enjoy the dental profession? I’m able to not just solve people’s dental problems and maintain their health, but I’m also able to cultivate relationships.
What is your favorite part about interacting with patients? I’m passionate about getting to know patients beyond their dental health – their interests, hobbies and activities. Being able to see patients multiple times a year on a regular basis allows me to stay in touch with people in our community!
Why do you like this practice and coming to work every day? I believe in customized treatment plans for each patient, not the one-size-fits-all approach that you may find elsewhere.
What do you do outside of the office for fun or as a hobby? I am an avid sports fan — if you didn’t know the score of last night’s game, you’ll probably hear about it while you’re in the office (Go Huskies!). I also enjoy golfing, skiing, and taking in the occasional rock concert.
Where were you born/raised? Born and raised in Olympia and I have always called Western Washington home.
Pets and Family: Married with two sons, Cameron and Carter. We have a cat and 2 dogs.
Asma Arara, DDS
General Dentist
Educational background:
Residency in Advanced Comprehensive Program | New York University, College of Dentistry
Master Degree in Clinical Research | New York University, College of Dentistry
Bachelor of Dental Surgery (B.D.S) | Tripoli University Faculty of Dentistry
Continuing Education Courses Attended:
Certificate Training in Dentistry | Duggan’s Institute of Dentistry in Costa Mesa, CA 2021
Affiliations or organizations you belong to:
American Dental Association
Washington State Dental Associations
Libyan Dental Associations
What year did you join the current practice? 2022
Why do you enjoy the dental profession? Because I am able to provide comprehensive dental care and help people maintain and improve their oral health.
What is your favorite part about interacting with patients? My favorite part is the interaction with many different people. Each patient has a story to tell, and every procedure provides a different challenge.
Why do you like this practice and coming to work every day? Because each day I get the opportunity to provide a positive impact on the oral health and self-confidence of others; it’s extremely rewarding and enjoyable.
What do you do outside of the office for fun or as a hobby? In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I also enjoy cooking, baking, reading and traveling.
Where were you born? USA – California
Where were you raised? Libya & Netherlands
Minwoong Na, DMD
General Dentist
Educational background:
Columbia Valley Community Health, Advanced Education in General
Dentistry • Oregon Health & Science University, School of Dentistry – Doctor or
Medicine in Dentistry • Oregon State University – Biochemistry Bachelor of Science with
Summa Cumme Laude
Continuing Education Courses Attended: Spears Education, Dr. Youngsam Kim’s 3rd Molar Extraction Seminar
Affiliations or organizations you belong to: Washington State Dental Association
What year did you join the current practice? June of 2022
Why do you enjoy the dental profession? What I like about being a dentist is that I get to use my artistic skills to help my patients achieve their best smiles. Every case is different and I like being challenged every day.
What is your favorite part about interacting with patients? Most people are scared of going to a dentist. Trust me, so am I! Since I know how uncomfortable it can get seeing a dentist, I always try to put myself into my patients’ shoes and perform a procedure in the most gentle way possible. I love how my patients who were scared and worried initially said the procedures were not as painful. It is very rewarding to see a sign of progress in my patients and these interactions motivate me to become a better dentist.
Why do you like this practice and coming to work every day? Tranquility Dental Wellness has a good team! Each team member respects and trusts each other. I am grateful to be a part of this awesome team.
What do you do outside of the office for fun or as a hobby? My hometown, Seoul, is close to mountain trails and beautiful beaches, which is what the Pacific Northwest offers as well. I love to try a new hiking trail in my free time. I also love traveling and exploring new restaurants.
Where were you born? I was born and raised in Seoul, Korea.
List your family: I am married to my lovely and sweet wife, Yustina.
Gurveen Khatkar, DDS
Associate Dentist
Educational Background: University of Washington School of Dentistry – DDS 2020, University of Washington – Psychology BA 2016.
Continuing Education Courses Attended: I am currently working on implant training via Maxicourse AGD 2021.
What is your favorite part about interacting with patients? I enjoy getting to know patients over their lifetime and having something I can do with my hands to help. I also enjoy getting to know them and always learning something new.
Why do you like this practice and coming to work every day? I get to focus on doing good dentistry and serving patients without pushing unnecessary treatment.
What do you do outside of the office for fun or as a hobby? I like working out, dancing, and hanging out with friends.
Where were you born? Seattle, WA born and raised.
Gurveen Khatkar, DDS
Associate Dentist
Educational Background: University of Washington School of Dentistry – DDS 2020, University of Washington – Psychology BA 2016.
Continuing Education Courses Attended: I am currently working on implant training via Maxicourse AGD 2021.
What is your favorite part about interacting with patients? I enjoy getting to know patients over their lifetime and having something I can do with my hands to help. I also enjoy getting to know them and always learning something new.
Why do you like this practice and coming to work every day? I get to focus on doing good dentistry and serving patients without pushing unnecessary treatment.
What do you do outside of the office for fun or as a hobby? I like working out, dancing, and hanging out with friends.
Where were you born? Seattle, WA born and raised.
Heather
Dental Hygienist
Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree from the University of Detroit Mercy in Michigan.
What year did you join the current practice and/or group? I joined in 2018.
What is your favorite part about interacting with patients? I love dentistry because of the people. Building relationships, educating my patients and helping them work through their fears and anxiety are my favorite things.
Why do you like this practice and coming to work every day? I enjoy working for Tranquility because of the team and vision. I feel empowered to do what is right for each patient and provide personalized care. It is a positive environment and a work/life balance is encouraged.
Where were you born? I was born and raised in Michigan. I moved to Washington in 2008.
I started dental assisting in high school and throughout college.
What do you do outside of the office for fun or as a hobby? In my free time I like to be outside, travel, go camping, take photos, and work on our travel blog.
Pets (significant others and kids too): My husband is Corey and we have three kids, Cohen, Lennon, and Sloane. We have a dog named Bella and a cat named Theo.
Shelby
Dental Hygienist
Educational Background: Associates of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene
What year did you join the current practice and/or group? 2022
Why do you enjoy the dental profession? I enjoy interacting with people and I really enjoy being able to work at my own pace being in dental hygiene.
What is your favorite part about interacting with patients? I really enjoy getting to know new people.
Why do you like this practice and coming to work every day? The whole team is willing to help whenever they’re needed which is really refreshing.
What do you do outside of the office for fun or as a hobby? I like to exercise, hike, paint, and go on small adventures with my family.
Where were you born? Georgia
Where were you raised? All over – I was an army brat.
Family: I have two kids; Camilla age 7 and Liam age 8 months as well as my boyfriend of 3 years, Cole.
Amanda
Dental Hygienist
Educational Background: I graduated from Pierce College in 2005 with my AAS in dental hygiene. With the world of science and technology changing fast, I decided to go back to school in 2020 to finish my bachelor’s degree. As of December 2021, I now have a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Dental Hygiene.
Continuing Education Courses Attended: Throughout my career, I have completed many continuing education courses. I have a passion for health in general so I gravitate towards classes on topics that range from chronic health conditions like cancer, diabetes, and addiction, to wellness topics like organic food, functional health, and mental health. I love learning about how I can help people move towards their best selves in mind, body, and spirit.
Affiliations or organizations you belong to: I am a proud member of both my local and national dental hygiene associations including the Washington State Dental Hygiene Association (WSDHA) and the American Dental Hygienists Association (ADHA).
What year did you join the current practice and/or group? I just recently joined Tranquility Dental Wellness in April of 2022. So far I am in love! It is not every day you find a unicorn office that checks all the boxes. That’s what Tranquility is to me.
Why do you enjoy the dental profession? I enjoy patient interactions and meeting new people. Building a trusting patient-healthcare provider relationship is so important to me. I strive to make sure every patient leaves feeling seen, heard, and equipped with the tools and knowledge to maintain or improve their oral health.
What is your favorite part about interacting with patients? The thing I love most is when I get a super anxious, high fear patient and help them flip the narrative. By putting them in a position of control over their experience, I have helped many patients overcome their dental fear. This is what makes the hard work all worth it.
Why do you like this practice and coming to work every day? I like that Tranquility Dental Wellness gives me the autonomy to use my education to treat patients the way they need and deserve to be treated. So many offices micromanage and dictate treatment in ways that many hygienists find unethical. At Tranquility Dental Wellness, hygienists are empowered as providers and allowed to use our judgment to partner with patients, to create relationships, not just bill procedures.
What do you do outside of the office for fun or as a hobby? As a former Airforce brat, I traveled the world at a young age. I still love to explore new places, immerse myself in new cultures and eat all the food! I also love running, CrossFit, reading, biking, hiking, and anything outdoors.
Where were you born? I was born in California, although it is the one place I have zero memories from.
Where were you raised? My family moved all over the United States, from Cali to Michigan, South Carolina to Washington, and would visit my grandparents in New York on occasion. We were also stationed in Okinawa, Japan for several years and would travel to South Korea for vacations.
Pets and Family: My husband Joshua, son Silas, daughter Inara and I care for a total of 9 animals. Our flock of chickens including Eggatha, Shelly, Nelly, Jenny, and Debbie keep us flush with eggs. Parakeets Larry and Sheila provide us with constant beautiful music. Benjamin Bunny is always ready for snuggles and our beloved cat, Bolt, loves to beg for snacks and scratches