Dr. Chin Kim, DDS

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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Dr. Brendan Bernhardt is a highly skilled and compassionate dental professional with extensive experience in providing exceptional care to his patients. Born into a family of dentists, Dr. Bernhardt was inspired by his father to pursue a career in dentistry. He began his journey observing his father's practice and eventually completed his dental school and prosthodontic residency.

Dr. Bernhardt further honed his skills by completing a year-long fellowship at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, specializing in maxillofacial prosthetics. There, he gained invaluable experience in creating prostheses for cancer patients, helping them regain their confidence and quality of life.

With a passion for treating complex cases, Dr. Bernhardt has acquired significant experience in handling all-on-four immediate dental procedures in his private practice. His dedication to providing exceptional care ultimately led him to join the team at the Alexandria Nuvia Center, where he strives to provide top-notch services to his patients.

Outside of his practice, Dr. Bernhardt is a devoted husband and father of two teenagers. He cherishes the time spent with his family, attending his children's soccer practices and games or enjoying various outdoor activities like skiing, paddleboarding, and kayaking.

Dr. Bernhardt's commitment to his patients is evident in his approach to care. He strives to create a comfortable and relaxed environment, helping patients overcome their fears and anxieties related to their oral health. With a focus on delivering aesthetically pleasing and functional dental solutions, Dr. Bernhardt is dedicated to transforming smiles and changing lives at the Alexandria Nuvia Center.

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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 an oral & maxillofacial 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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