Our goal is for you to leave our office with a memorable and enjoyable dental experience, which is why our welcoming and compassionate staff will do everything they can to make you feel right at home.
If you are looking to brighten and enhance your smile, please don’t hesitate to contact us today at (206) 824-2804!
MEET OUR TEAM
Dr Benjamin Dorantes
Dr Benjamin Dorantes was born and raised in Orange County, CA. He attended the University of California Irvine for his undergraduate studies, with a focus in Biology. Dr. Dorantes was granted his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Washington School of Dentistry in 2000. Upon graduation, he helped launch a group practice in Kent Washington, where he served as the managing dentist for 12 years. In 2012, Dr. Dorantes made the decision to open his own private practice and served the community of Kenmore, WA for the past 7 years. This past May, 2019, Dr. Dorantes made the decision to join his wife in practice and they both purchased Des Moines Dental Center.
Dr. Dorantes, known as “Dr. D” by his patients and staff, has been fortunate enough to be able to take advantage of the fact that he is bilingual in English and Spanish. He began volunteering time with Medical Teams International in downtown Seattle, providing dental care for those in need in mobile dental clinics. He has also participated in programs such as the Smile Power Organization, which provides dental care to tent cities in Washington. Dr. D proudly serves as the International Ambassador for Smiles for Everyone Foundation, specifically associated with the Nicaragua outpost that he helped establish in 2013. He has had the opportunity to travel to the mountainside villages there in both 2013 and 2015 to provide care and support to over 550 people. Dr. D continues to feed his passion for helping others by continuously volunteering and is currently planning to join the foundation for another weeklong trip to Nicaragua in 2020.
In his personal time, Dr. D enjoys spending time with his wife and colleague, Dr. Kristin Vernon. He is an avid Husky football fan, likes to play chef for family and friends, enjoys a good run at Magnusen Park or around Greenlake and has a passion for WWII history, German artifacts, and his Volkswagen. Dr D has 4 grown children and two step-children that keep him and his wife busy.
Dr. D attends several continuing education courses per year to enhance his practice of dentistry and to provide exceptional care for his patients. He is an active member of the American Dental Association, Washington State Dental Association and Seattle King County Dental Society. He enjoys the technology side of dentistry and incorporates up- to-date technology in his practice; examples including intraoral digital scanning, CBCT (cone beam) technology, electric handpieces (that help with noise reduction associated with dentistry) and 3-D printing of dental models. As a new member of the Des Moines community, he has already received a warm welcome from existing patients of Des Moines Dental Center and looks forward to becoming your Des Moines Dentist!
Kristin R. Vernon DDS
Dr. Kristin Vernon was born and raised in San Diego, CA. She attended San Diego State University and graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. In 1999, Dr. Kristin was awarded her Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) from Northwestern University Dental School in Chicago, Illinois. Upon graduation, she decided to further advance her knowledge in dentistry by completing a 1-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency program through the U.S. Army. Dr. Kristin served 2 more years in the Army, stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA (JBLM).
In her personal time, Dr. Kristin enjoys spending time with her husband and partner, Dr. Benjamin Dorantes, keeping up with our combined 6 children, running, baking, reading, and traveling.
Dr. Kristin attends several continuing education courses per year to enhance her practice of dentistry and to provide exceptional care for her patients. She is an active member of the American Dental Association, Washington State Dental Association, Thurston-Mason Counties Dental Society, Spear Institute of Education and South Sound Dental Study Club. As a new member of the Des Moines community, she looks forward to integrating into the King County Dental Society and being able to provide the same exceptional quality dentistry that she has provided for the past 20 years in South Sound.