Dr. J. Reed Combs

Dr. Drake grew up with family friends who were dentists. Through his relationship with them he was able to learn more about the work and quickly realized that it would allow him to use his hands and work with lots of people, making dentistry a great fit for him. 

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He completed dental school as part of University of Utah’s inaugural class before doing his residency training through the air force at David Grant Medical Center at Travis Air Force Base.

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He remains in active duty in the air force and has loved working with residents at Joint Base Andrews, the home of air force one.  

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Why Nuvia?

Dr. Drake was drawn to Nuvia for their team approach to helping patients. During his time here he has witnessed the entire Alexandria team work together to give patients the smiles they’ve waited so long for.

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He also loves that as oral surgeon at Nuvia in Alexandria, he has the opportunity to take on challenging cases that allow him to use the skills he’s developed over the years to bless and change the lives of others. Being able to transform someone’s smile overnight is incredibly rewarding.

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Outside of Dentistry

When he isn’t at the office, Dr. Drake loves to spend time with his family and their church community. He enjoys being outside in nature, especially in the mountains.

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Dr. Tippet’s love of working with his hands, desire to help others, and influence from some family friends lead him to pursue a career as an oral maxillofacial surgeon.  

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He completed his oral and maxillofacial surgery residency at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in Dallas, TX. After residency, he joined the Navy where he is currently serving as a Lieutenant in addition to his work as an Oral Surgeon at Nuvia in Alexandria.

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Why Nuvia?

At Nuvia, Dr. Tippet is able to be part of a team that helps patients get permanent teeth in 24 hours.

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Traditional methods of dental implants usually involve patients wearing temporary teeth for what may be up to 10+ months. Nuvia’s advanced process and technology allow Dr. Tippet’s patients to receive their permanent teeth the day after their dental implants are placed. 

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Outside of Dentistry

When he isn’t working, Dr. Tippet keeps busy as the father of two young boys. With his family, he loves to go to the beach, enjoy the outdoors and go deep sea fishing.

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Dr. Chin Kim is a multilingual dentist, speaking Korean, Spanish, and English fluently, currently practicing at the Nuvia Dental Center in Alexandria. Born in Korea, Dr. Kim moved to Mexico when she was just five years old. There, she grew up, developed her passion for the medical field, and pursued dental school. This international upbringing has equipped her with a diverse cultural understanding, making her an empathetic and understanding professional.

As a high school student, Dr. Kim served as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), further cementing her desire to help others. However, it was the smiles and facial expressions that drew her towards dentistry. She recognized how the first thing we notice about people is their face, and she wanted to be a part of enhancing and preserving that. Dr. Kim's love for dentistry only grew during her dental school years, as she realized that the profession was a perfect blend of science, art, and health care provision.

Dr. Kim's patient care philosophy is deeply personal and rooted in empathy. She has developed a special bond with elderly patients, often reminded of her own grandfather during interactions with them. Her primary motivation is giving these patients a second chance at joy - restoring their dental function and aesthetics, enabling them to eat and speak comfortably again, and boosting their self-confidence.

Beyond her technical skills, Dr. Kim brings emotional sensitivity to her practice. She's often moved by the transformational journeys of her patients and is not averse to sharing a joyful tear with them. She believes that her work doesn't just restore smiles but gives people their lives back, which she considers the greatest joy of her profession.

Dr. Kim ensures that her patients have a comfortable and supportive experience under her care. She understands the hesitation some may feel about dental procedures and prioritizes making her patients feel at ease. She emphasizes that her goal is not just to treat, but also to educate and empower her patients regarding their dental health.

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