Meet Our Doctor

Dr. Howard

Dr. Howard

Dr. Ken Howard was born and raised in the Tri-Cities and graduated from Kamiakin High in 1990. He furthered his education at CBC, then transferred and graduated from Washington State University in 1996. He received degrees in Biology and Microbiology, with a minor in Molecular Biology. In 1996 he was accepted to Howard University's School of Dentistry, in Washington D.C., graduating in the top of his class.

Dr. Howard's passion was to start a family practice, because he enjoys interacting with everyone, from the young to the elderly. Dr. Howard didn't have to think twice about where he would want to set up his practice. The Columbia Basin has a lot to offer. It allows his family to partake in camping, fishing, skiing, hunting, and hiking activities, some only a short drive away.

Dr. Howard and his staff have discovered that the key to having a strong practice is treating patients as if they were family. They enjoy helping all generations of families maintain a healthy dental lifestyle in a caring environment.

Meet Our Caring Team

Tasha – Insurance Coordinator

Tasha

Office Manager

Tasha grew up in Richland Washington and attended Hanford High School. She graduated from Eastern Oregon University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education and Health. In 2000, she decided to change directions and received her Dental Assisting Certification and has been in the dental field ever since. After having her daughter she decided to move up front and learn insurance and has been doing this since 2004. Tasha currently resides in Kennewick and is married with 4 children. If she is not at the dental office, she is traveling with her family, watching her daughter play volleyball, hitting the gym, camping or making cakes.


Rhonda - Registered Dental Hygienist

Rhonda

Registered Dental Hygienist

Rhonda has lived in the Tri-Cities since 2000. She graduated from Dental Hygiene School in South Texas and has practiced in Washington and Oregon. When she is not helping others with their hygiene needs you can find her spending her free time with her family, friends and her dog "Brick".


Melanie - Registered Dental Hygienist

Melanie

Registered Dental Hygienist

Melanie graduated with a Bachelor's of Science and Dental Hygiene from the Medical College of Georgia in 2002. She is trained in nitrous oxide sedation as well as local anesthetics. She worked as a clinic instructor at the Dental Hygiene program at Ferris State University, Michigan from 2006-2010. Melanie grew up in Tacoma, Washington. She met her husband in College and married in 2000. Since getting married she has lived in Georgia, Utah, and Michigan finishing college for herself and husband while adding 4 children to their family. Her children keep her very busy and well as serving actively in her church. Although a transplant to the Tri-Cities, she loves the area. She loves the four seasons of weather, hot summers and not a lot of traffic. This is a great family oriented area to raise a family.


Melanie - Registered Dental Hygienist

Emma

Lead Dental Assistant

Emma's family moved to Tri-Cities from Moses Lake in 1980. She is a graduate from Faith Christian Academy and has a son and a daughter, her guiding forces. Emma's favorite things in life are cooking, watching old movies & sporting events, and sharing her passion for food with her loved ones. Her greatest accomplishment is being a hopelessly devoted 'Mimi' to her 4 amazing grandkids. "Every day is a new adventure with them and they fill my life with joy. I am blessed!" Emma has very much enjoyed being a dental assistant for many years. Her goal is to provide a positive and comfortable dental experience for every patient and treat them with respect and understanding.


Our Dental Philosophy

At Chinook Family Dental Care, our patients are more than just patients. We care about each patient on a personal level. When you join our practice, you join our family.

Personal Relationships

It’s likely you won’t find another doctor around that’s more personable and genuinely concerned for his patients than Dr. Howard. He not only cares about your oral health but about you as an individual. You’ll often find him sitting in the waiting room talking with patients. Along with Dr. Howard, our entire team here truly cares about you. We love the opportunity we have to get to know you personally, and we hope to build a lasting relationship with you through the years.


Family-Oriented Environment

At our practice, you will enjoy a friendly, family-oriented environment. We make every effort to help all our patients feel comfortable during treatment and throughout their entire visit by treating you with kindness, respect and genuine care. We consider you to be a part of our family, and you’ll feel the difference that makes.


Patient Education

Because we want you to feel confident in your dental care, we make patient education a priority. We bend over backwards to guide you through your treatment process, explaining all your treatment options and answering any questions you might have. Additionally, we will teach you everything you need to know about at-home prevention so you can enjoy your healthy smile for years to come.


Caring Team

One thing patients love most about our practice is our caring team! Smiling faces, friendly personalities and kind demeanors — we have a great team dedicated to your comfort and confidence. We strive to stay pleasant, positive and patient-focused at every visit. We’ll help you feel at home.


Listening Ear

Have you ever felt like your dentist just wasn’t listening? That won’t be the case here! We listen carefully so that we can understand the needs, concerns and desires of our patients. We want you to feel comfortable and involved in every decision. At Chinook Family Dental Care, you will be listened to and understood.


Quality Dentistry

We recognize that quality also plays an important role in your dental experience. Dr. Howard and his team strive to offer the highest quality dentistry in the area and always aspire to keep improving, whether it’s through continuing education and training or investing in modern technology. In every treatment and service, we aim for excellence and never compromise on our work for you.

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If you value these qualities in a dentist, call us today! We’re passionate about your smile and passionate about helping you achieve optimal health!

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