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.
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.
Tawni
Dental Hygienist
List your educational background: St Martins University, Pima Medical Institute.
What year did you join the current practice and/or group?: 2022.
Why do you enjoy the dental profession?: I’ve always loved the aesthetic side of dentistry – providing someone with even just a little bit more confidence in their smile is hugely rewarding.
What is your favorite part about interacting with patients?: This is probably my most favorite part of the job – connecting with, and gaining the patient’s trust. This is something I take a lot of pride in. All too often we see these extremely fearful patients and it’s important to me that they understand we are here to provide them with exceptional work and genuinely suit their comfort needs.
Why do you like this practice and coming to work every day?: It’s a good feeling when you wake up excited to go into work every day. Everyone I work here with is uplifting and supportive of each other. It’s fun and energetic all while maintaining a calming feeling.
What do you do outside of the office for fun or as a hobby?: I spend a lot of time with family; traveling, boating, skiing, hiking, as well as crafting when I can find some time to slow down.
Where were you born?: Olympia, WA.
Where were you raised?: Olympia, WA.
Family: I have a 9-year-old son who continually makes me a better person every single day.
Amber
Dental Hygienist
Educational Background: My dental career first began in 2006, graduating from dental assisting school at SPSCC in Tumwater. After a 10 year career in assisting, I furthered my education for dental hygiene at Clark College in Vancouver, graduating with highest honors in 2018.
What year did you join the current practice and/or group?: After spending my entire 18 year career in Chehalis, I decided to expand my horizons for a new opportunity. Beginning 2024, my search was on and I found myself comfortably settled into the Tranquility team.
Why do you enjoy the dental profession? I knew very early on in life that I wanted to pursue dental; at the age of 12 I decided I wanted to be a dental assistant, and that’s exactly what I did right out of high school. It wasn’t long after assisting that I fell in love with all that a career in dentistry had to offer, but I wanted to do more to help people, so I pursued hygiene.
What is your favorite part about interacting with patients?: I love building relationships with my patients. In this field we aren’t just treating mouths, we’re treating people. I enjoy learning who my patients are on a personal level, just a little bit about their background and busy family lives. I also respect those who just prefer a nice quiet atmosphere.
Why do you like this practice and coming to work every day?: I feel fortunate after 18 years in dentistry to still love my job. Tranquility’s Tumwater team collaborates well, making it a nice environment to work in; but the relationships I build with my patients are also what I look forward to in my day. It honestly makes coming to work an easy thing to do.
What do you do outside of the office for fun or as a hobby?: Outside of work I enjoy doing anything I can with my family. Landscaping at home, going out in the boat, going on road trips, and everything in between.
Where were you born?: I was born in Alaska and lived in a village so remote I was nearly born on a bush plane while in route to the hospital. I remember the village, and also lived in Fairbanks for a period of time but after 7 years in AK, we moved to Washington.
Where were you raised?: I graduated high school in a small town called Adna, but I grew up in an even smaller picturesque community called Curtis. I didn’t end up moving very far away and don’t know that I’ll ever leave, I love the beauty of my home town.
Family: I have a wonderful husband named Tyler, who is an excellent father to our two young children ila and Ridge. We spend our days tromping around 6 acres with a garden, some chickens, and a really old goat! Somewhere, hiding from the children, are two really sweet cats named Jack and Ling. I’m a pretty lucky lady!
