Christina Wang, DMD
Since her father was a physician and her older brother would become a physician too, many thought a young Christina Wang would follow in their footsteps. They would be incorrect. Ever since the young age of six, Dr. Christina Wang’s heart has been set on dentistry. As a child, Dr. Wang had a somewhat unusual fascination with teeth. What other six-year-old do you know with a concern about the function of the teeth and mouth as it relates to the overall health of the human body?
Throughout her childhood years, her passion for dentistry, and prosthodontics in particular, grew and grew as she discovered the field was the perfect combination of her interest of teeth and love for artistry. While most aspiring medical students spend some time deciding what field of study to pursue, Christina Wang’s decision had already been made many years ago.
“For me it was definitely the mixture of creativity and artistic touch that drew me in, because I grew up always crafting, sewing and painting. I love to do things with my hands,” said Dr. Wang.
Dr. Wang wasted no time making steps towards a career in dentistry and prosthodontics, attending the Virginia Polytechnic Institute State University in Blacksburg, Virginia where she earned a Bachelor of Science in human nutrition with an emphasis in foods and exercise — also known as a Science of Food, Nutrition and Exercise (SFNE) degree. Later, Dr. Wang attended dental school at the University of New England College of Dental Medicine in Portland, Maine where she received her Doctor of Medical Dentistry (D.M.D.)
Her post-graduate career path led her south where she honed her prosthodontics skills with a graduate residency at the Texas A&M (Baylor) College of Dentistry in Dallas. While there, she provided comprehensive care for patients requiring removable and complex restorative treatment while studying the latest innovations in digital dentistry and 3D printing technology — she even found time to earn a master’s degree.
“Prosthodontics is such a unique specialty, and I think it draws upon my biggest strengths,” said Dr. Wang. “It really pushes you to get creative and think outside the box and see the whole picture.”
Dr. Wang has written in publications and made presentations at seminars across the country. As her young career continues, she is considered one of world’s rising stars in the field. For these reasons and many more, Dr. Dean McNeel recruited her to be a part of Ozark Prosthodontics. While her creativity and artistry are her hallmarks, she has never lost sight of what she feels is the most important aspect of her craft.
“Aside from dentistry I think the most important factor in patient care is the relationship and trust that is built,” she said. “Esthetics are a personal preference and what may be beautiful and natural to one person may not be for someone else. It is something the patient and provider create together in order to make the patient feel and look their most confident.”
In her spare time, you can find Dr. Wang spending time with her husband, Ed, and her extended family, who have given her their unconditional love, support and patience. Her hobbies include art and makeup projects, where she showcases her ability to reproduce amazing looks inspired by characters from stage, screen and works of fiction of all kinds. She also has the creativity and mastery to bring characters from her own imagination to life — all with various esthetics that some may find beautiful, outrageous or even chilling!
