Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Bulletin Fall 2017 - 42

New and Younger Members

Dr. Vanessa Peterson, Portland, OR
Dr. Mina Katchooi
PCSO Bulletin Contributing Editor

Please note: The thoughts expressed in this article
are those of the individual only and PCSO does not
offer recommendation or endorsement of any particular product mentioned.
In what year did you graduate from your postgraduate orthodontic program, and how many
years have you been in practice?
After graduating from Loma Linda University
School of Dentistry in 2012, I moved to Portland
for my orthodontic residency at Oregon Health &
Science University (OHSU). I completed my 30month training in 2014. I have been practicing
orthodontics outside of residency for almost
three years.

Dr. Vanessa Peterson
Portland, OR

Where are your current practice and primary
office/practice settings located?
I feel very fortunate to practice with Permanente
Dental Associates (PDA) in downtown Portland.
PDA is a unique group dental practice contracted
with Kaiser Permanente. What I love about working for PDA, besides the awesome patients, is
PDA's focus on evidence-based care and overall
health. PDA's model is very unique in that our pay
structure is not primarily production-based.
Rather, there is more focus on the strength of
each doctor's training (including CE, board certification, peer review, leadership roles), his/her
patient satisfaction based on the Press Ganey
score, and his/her overall commitment to the

group practice model. PDA is leading the way to
educate patients about how their dental health
affects their overall health. Because we are intertwined with Kaiser medical, we have the opportunity to help patients close important care gaps
by reminding them of the need for immunizations, physical exams, and other necessary health
appointments with their medical providers.
Are you currently certified by the American Board
of Orthodontics (ABO)?
Yes, I obtained my board certification in 2015,
shortly after I finished my orthodontic residency.
I found the process very positive and am glad
I spent the time to present my cases. I have
only had one patient ever ask me if I was boardcertified, but I think patient awareness of this
issue is growing.
Are you involved in any professional or nonprofessional community service in your area?
If so, which one(s)?
I love being involved with the community!
Besides being a part of several running and
cycling groups, I am very involved in organized
dentistry, both within and outside of PDA. I also
participate in some non-dental-related service
opportunities. Within PDA, I was the 2016 Wellness Champion for our office. I currently serve on
the 401(k) committee and am the orthodontic
specialty chief for the eight orthodontists within

My husband, Andrew Peterson,
and I with our two Boston Terriers,
Fenway and Rickie
The orthodontic team at Permanente Dental
Associates
42

Our orthodontic clinic, which is scheduled for
remodeling this summer
PCSO Bulletin  Fall 2017

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists Bulletin Fall 2017