Smiles Art Dentistry's Mission
Our mission is to empower the Houston community to achieve optimal oral health through comprehensive education and exceptional, patient-centered dental care. We are committed to fostering a culture of proactive wellness that increases patient awareness of the vital connection between oral and overall health. We consistently provide the highest standards of dental treatments with innovative techniques and a compassionate approach.
Our Core Values
We adhere to the following values that guide our daily commitment to the highest standard of patient care:
- Exceptional Care: We are committed to providing the highest standard of dental treatment and personalized attention for every patient. This means investing in advanced technology and continuing education that allows us to offer the most effective, comfortable solutions for unique dental needs.
- Patient Well-Being: We prioritize our patients' comfort, safety, and overall health above all else. From our carefully designed office environment to our gentle treatment techniques, every aspect of our practice focuses on creating positive experiences that support complete wellness.
- Trust and Transparency: We build strong patient relationships through honest communication, clear explanations, and ethical practices. Our patients will always receive straightforward information about treatment options, costs, and expected outcomes, empowering confident decisions about their care.
- Empathy and Compassion: We are dedicated to understanding and responding to patient needs with kindness, patience, and respect. We listen to our patients' concerns and experiences and create a judgment-free environment where even the most anxious patients can feel comfortable seeking care.
- Accessibility and Convenience: We strive to make quality dental care accessible and convenient for our community. With flexible scheduling options, same-day emergency appointments, and various payment solutions, we remove barriers that might otherwise prevent you from receiving needed care.
- Education and Empowerment: We empower our valued patients to make informed oral health decisions through clear education. When we explain the "why" behind our recommendations and teach effective home care techniques, our patients can actively participate in their dental journey.
- Personalized Attention: We recognize each patient's unique needs and tailor our approach accordingly. Treatment plans are custom-designed based on patient goals, concerns, and oral health status to ensure positive, satisfying results.
Shawki Abed, DDS, MSc
General & Cosmetic Dentist
Dr. Shawki Abed brings a global perspective to Smiles Art Dentistry, having begun his dental career in 2003 after graduating from Baghdad University's College of Dentistry. His professional journey began with his private practice in Iraq, where he provided comprehensive general dental services until 2017, when he and his family migrated to the United States.
Upon arriving in the United States, Dr. Abed pursued advanced education at the University of Florida, completing specialized training in oral and maxillofacial pathology in 2023. This additional expertise enhances his ability to diagnose and treat complex oral conditions while providing exceptional general dental care.
Dr. Abed's passion for dentistry was inspired by his father's friend, a family dentist whose exceptional care left a lasting impression and sparked his career ambitions. Today, he finds joy in building relationships with new patients, maintaining connections with existing ones, and introducing them to advanced dental services that improve their oral health and confidence.
Outside the office, Dr. Abed embraces his love of nature through hiking, fishing, and biking. His unique passion is soccer, which he plays as often as his schedule allows, noting the irony that as a dentist who advises patients to avoid hard impacts, he regularly takes elbows to the face on the soccer field.
Annette
Dental Hygienist
Annette brings nearly four decades of experience to Smiles Art Dentistry, having begun her dental career in 1985 after graduating from the University of Texas Dental Branch in Houston. Her holistic approach to dental hygiene encompasses not just cleaning teeth but addressing the complete wellbeing of each patient—recognizing that stress and general health directly impact oral health.
What sets Annette apart is her commitment to listening attentively to patients' needs and concerns. She values the meaningful relationships developed through dental care, connections that often extend far beyond routine cleanings. Originally considering nursing, Annette chose dental hygiene because she wanted to make a more direct impact on patients' lives while working outside a hospital setting.
When not caring for patients, Annette enjoys tending to her garden, participating in her book club, and baking bread. Patients might be surprised that Annette was voted "best dancer" in dental hygiene school!
Mary Castillo
Treatment Coordinator
With over 30 years of experience in dentistry, Mary is the dedicated administrative backbone of our clinical team. She first entered the dental field in 1993 as a part-time dental assistant at Southern Dental while attending San Jacinto College, where she studied Real Estate and Business Management. She immediately knew the dental environment was the right fit.
Mary has been happily married for 27 years and have 3 amazing kids, she is known for bringing a vital sense of calm, positivity, and teamwork to the office, leading by example to ensure organization and collaboration. For Mary, the greatest reward is the shared goal of creating a comfortable, welcoming experience for every patient.
Beyond the practice, Mary is a devoted community leader, currently serving her 10th year as a Council Member for the City of South Houston, Position 1. She dedicates much of her spare time to organizing city events and spending time with the community's youth. To manage her busy schedule, Mary has been a student of Kickboxing at Bushi Ban for years—a unique hobby that keeps her focused and energized.
Natalia Baker
Registered Dental Assistant
Natalia, Registered Dental Assistant, brings over two decades of dedicated clinical experience to our team, having started her dental journey in 2001 with Crabtree Dental in Katy, Texas, under the mentorship of Dr. Ronald K. Crabtree.
Natalia is truly a well-rounded clinician, certified through the University of Texas San Antonio and continuously advancing her skills through institutes like SPEAR Education (including the Dental Assistant Mastery Course for CEREC crowns). She maintains active memberships in the Hispanic Dental Society and the American Dental Assistants Association.
Natalia's primary passion is patient connection: She understands the importance of "bedside manner," and excels at creating a calm and positive frame of mind for patients dealing with anxiety or fear. What she loves most about the job is learning about everyone's individual personalities and helping them maintain a positive outlook.
Outside the practice, she embraces a deep connection to wellness and nature. She is a certified Yoga Instructor and Reiki Healer, and also teaches herbalism and plant medicine—a unique hobby that reflects her commitment to holistic health.
I have been going here for years along with my entire family and we love everyone here. They provide the best care and are so personable.
- Karl