Meet the Dentist

Nicole Saldua, DDS - General and Cosmetic Dentist in Scottsdale, Arizona

Dr. Nicole Saldua is a Scottsdale cosmetic and general dentist who mixes strong clinical training with a warm, down-to-earth style that instantly puts patients at ease.  A graduate of the University of Washington School of Dentistry, Dr. Saldua is skilled in cosmetic treatments like veneers, whitening and Invisalign, along with comprehensive general dentistry and oral surgery.  She’s also refreshingly honest—if a specialist can do it better, she’ll refer without hesitation, which is a big reason patients trust her. Her passion is demystifying dentistry. She uses simple visuals, real-talk explanations, and zero jargon to help people understand everything from insurance to fluoride to children’s oral habits. She knows the dental chair can make people feel vulnerable, so she focuses on clarity, comfort, and making dental care feel approachable. Outside of the office, Dr. Saldua shares practical dental tips online and connects with patients in a way that feels authentic, educational, and genuinely caring. To learn more about Scottsdale dentist [https://snc.dental/] Dr. Nicole Saldua Follow Dr. Saldua on Instagram @dr.saldua [https://www.instagram.com/dr.saldua/] and TikTok @dr.saldua [https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.saldua] ABOUT MEET THE DENTIST  Whether you're visiting a dentist for the first time or considering a change, the more you know about who’s behind the chair, the better your experience will be. Meet the Dentist features trusted professionals sharing their expertise, so you can feel confident about who you trust with your smile. Meet the Dentist is a production of The Axis [https://www.theaxis.io/]. Made with love in Austin, Texas. Are you a dentist? Book your free 30 minute recording session here [https://calendly.com/eva-sheie/mtd]. Host: Eva Sheie  Assistant Producers: Mary Ellen Clarkson & Hannah Burkhart Engineering: Victoria Cheng Theme music: A Grace Sufficient by JOYSPRING

Neal Johnson, DDS, PhD, MBA - Pediatric Dental Anesthesiologist in California

Dr. Neal Johnson is a dental anesthesiologist and problem-solver with a passion for making dentistry accessible to every patient, especially children and those with special needs. With a PhD in microbiology, a DDS, and an MBA from UC Berkeley, he blends clinical expertise with business insight to bring safe, efficient anesthesia care to families across Southern and Central California. Known for his precision, punctuality, and calmness under pressure, Dr. Johnson helps general dentists manage complex cases in-office, transforming stressful dental visits into smooth, single-visit experiences. His entrepreneurial spirit also fuels his work developing software that simplifies scheduling and workflow for busy practices. A dedicated educator, Dr. Johnson creates videos and resources to help parents and dentists understand pediatric anesthesia and feel confident in the process.  To learn more about California Dental Anesthesiologist [https://www.hypnosdental.com/] Dr. Neal Johnson Learn more about The Efficiency Catalyst [https://www.theefficiencycatalyst.com/] Learn more about Dr. Johnson’s dental phobia course [https://www.hypnosdental.com/course-page1] Watch Dr. Johnson’s animated video for parents and children [https://youtu.be/7Sj1Nqu9mvY?si=WY8TIHIIH9PZXSK_] ABOUT MEET THE DENTIST  Whether you're visiting a dentist for the first time or considering a change, the more you know about who’s behind the chair, the better your experience will be. Meet the Dentist features trusted professionals sharing their expertise, so you can feel confident about who you trust with your smile. Meet the Dentist is a production of The Axis. [https://www.theaxis.io/] Made with love in Austin, Texas. Are you a dentist? Book your free 30 minute recording session here [https://calendly.com/eva-sheie/mtd]. Host: Eva Sheie  Assistant Producers: Mary Ellen Clarkson & Hannah Burkhart Engineering: Victoria Cheng Theme music: A Grace Sufficient by JOYSPRING

Vajahat Yar Khan, BDS - Co-Founder of DentTracks & Pediatric Dentist in Houston, Texas

Dr. Vajahat Yar Khan isn’t your average pediatric dentist—he’s reimagining what a calm, connected dental experience looks like for kids and their parents. Based in Houston, Dr. Khan combines clinical expertise with a genuine love for helping children feel at ease, transforming what could be a stressful visit into something smooth, positive, and even fun. Blending empathy with innovation, he’s always finding smarter ways to make dentistry work better, from introducing advanced technology that streamlines appointments to designing creative systems that motivate and empower his dental teams. His goal is simple: fewer worries, shorter waits, and happier families. Beyond his practice, Dr. Khan is the CEO and co-founder of DentTracks, an enterprise-level dental business platform built to simplify operations, improve patient experiences, and help practices thrive. By uniting scheduling, communication, and performance tracking under one intelligent system, DentTracks gives dentists the freedom to focus more on patients and less on paperwork. Whether he’s treating patients, teaching future dentists, or speaking on innovation and efficiency, his mission stays the same: to make dentistry smarter, more human, and better for everyone. To learn more about Houston pediatric dentist [https://kidzonedental.com/] Dr. Vajahat Yar Khan Learn more about DentTracks [https://denttracks.com/] Request a free demo for DentTracks [https://denttracks.com/request-a-demo/] Connect with Dr. Vajahat Yar Khan on Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-vajahat-yar-khan-usads-denttracks-001tx/] ABOUT MEET THE DENTIST  Whether you're visiting a dentist for the first time or considering a change, the more you know about who’s behind the chair, the better your experience will be. Meet the Dentist features trusted professionals sharing their expertise, so you can feel confident about who you trust with your smile. Meet the Dentist is a production of The Axis [https://www.theaxis.io/]. Made with love in Austin, Texas. Are you a dentist? Book your free 30 minute recording session here [https://calendly.com/eva-sheie/mtd]. Host: Eva Sheie  Assistant Producers: Mary Ellen Clarkson & Hannah Burkhart Engineering: Victoria Cheng Theme music: A Grace Sufficient by JOYSPRING

Mark Thoreson, DDS - Inventor of the Inflatrix in Gillette, Wyoming

Dr. Mark Thoreson is more than a dentist—he’s an innovator redefining what patient comfort feels like. Raised in a family of doctors, he learned early on that trust, empathy, and communication are the foundation of great care. That perspective now guides everything he does in and out of the operatory. Blending clinical expertise with entrepreneurial spirit, Dr. Thoreson developed the Inflatrix, a breakthrough device that makes fillings faster, gentler, and far less intimidating.  He’s also passionate about mentoring the next generation through his comprehensive dental assistant training program and fostering a more human, connected approach to dentistry. From his small-town North Dakota roots to leading-edge innovation in Wyoming’s booming business community, Dr. Thoreson is proof that modern dentistry can be both high-tech and deeply personal. To learn more about Wyoming restorative dentist [https://mark.inflatrix.com/] Dr. Mark Thoreson Learn more about Inflatrix [https://www.inflatrix.com/] Follow Inflatrix on Instagram @inflatrixdental [https://www.instagram.com/inflatrixdental] Read the article How I Scratched the “Dentist-Inventor Itch” [https://dentalentrepreneur.com/magazine/#issue] on pages 34-35 of Dental Entrepreneur Magazine’s summer 2025 issue ABOUT MEET THE DENTIST  Whether you're visiting a dentist for the first time or considering a change, the more you know about who’s behind the chair, the better your experience will be. Meet the Dentist features trusted professionals sharing their expertise, so you can feel confident about who you trust with your smile. Meet the Dentist is a production of The Axis [https://www.theaxis.io/]. Made with love in Austin, Texas. Are you a dentist? Book your free 30 minute recording session here [https://calendly.com/eva-sheie/mtd]. Host: Eva Sheie  Assistant Producers: Mary Ellen Clarkson & Hannah Burkhart Engineering: Spencer Clarkson Theme music: A Grace Sufficient by JOYSPRING

Ben Javid, DDS - Biological Dentist in Santa Clarita, California

Dr. Ben Javid isn’t just a dentist—he’s an advocate for patient empowerment and a critic of outdated dental practices. He challenges the use of mercury fillings and fluoride due to their potential health risks, instead promoting holistic, biologically based alternatives that support overall wellness with minimal toxicity. His journey began in cosmetic dentistry, but over time, he shifted his focus to biological dentistry, recognizing the deep connection between oral health and the rest of the body. He understands that true healthcare goes beyond just treating symptoms—it’s about addressing root causes, with nutrition playing a key role in the process. Dr. Ben and his brother Dr. Shawn Javid recently opened a state-of-the-art facility built around this integrative approach. Their goal is to reconnect oral health with whole-body wellness, collaborating with experts across multiple specialties to create transformative results. To learn more about Santa Clarita biological dentist [https://www.bestsantaclaritadentist.com/] Dr. Ben Javid Follow Dr. Javid on Instagram @dr.benjavid [https://www.instagram.com/dr.benjavid/] ABOUT MEET THE DENTIST  Whether you're visiting a dentist for the first time or considering a change, the more you know about who’s behind the chair, the better your experience will be. Meet the Dentist features trusted professionals sharing their expertise, so you can feel confident about who you trust with your smile. Meet the Dentist is a production of The Axis [https://www.theaxis.io/]. Made with love in Austin, Texas. Are you a dentist? Book your free 30 minute recording session here [https://calendly.com/eva-sheie/mtd]. Host: Eva Sheie Assistant Producers: Mary Ellen Clarkson & Hannah Burkhart Engineering: Aron Devereaux Theme music: A Grace Sufficient by JOYSPRING