Meet the Doctors at Family Orthodontics
Orthodontists in Tacoma
Dr. Smita Patel
Dr. Smita Patel has been creating beautiful smiles with the latest types of braces in Washington since 2007. She was born in India and grew up in Bolton, England. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and Computer Science at Nottingham Trent University before coming to the United States to attend graduate school. She graduated from the University of South Florida with her master’s degree in Biochemistry and went on to pursue her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree in 2003 from Nova Southeastern College of Dental Medicine. In addition, she completed a General Practice residency at Mount Sinai Medical Center in North Miami Beach.
Having gained a finer appreciation for dental esthetics and the importance of a good bite she went back to school to obtain advanced training in Orthodontics. She earned a master’s degree and a certificate in Orthodontics from Marquette University.
During her tenure at Nova Southeastern she received the Eleanor J. Bushee Senior Student Award for her academic excellence and outstanding leadership and was elected by the faculty into membership in Omicron Kappa Upsilon, the well-recognized dental honor society for academic achievement and leadership in dentistry.
Dr. Patel is an affiliate professor at the University of Washington, as well as a published author in several academic journals.
Dr. Pragnya Sheelam
Dr. Pragnya Sheelam was born in India before moving to the United States. She obtained her dental license from the University of Minnesota. She decided to start working with children because she has always had a special place in her heart for them and is her best when she is around them. Dr. Sheelam feels priviledged working with kiddos and creating a positive impact in their oral health.
Dr. Sheelam is a member of the American Dental Association and the Washington State Dental Association. It is her mission to provide the best treatment possible and promote optimal oral health through education and relationships established with her patients. When Dr. Sheelam is not working, she is spending time with her husband and their two children, exploring new places and learning how to do yoga.
Dr. Renee Tai
Dr. Tai was born and raised in Hong Kong. She moved to San Francisco to study piano at the School Of The Arts (SOTA) when she was a teenager. She spent a few years studying IT at Weber State University and then went on to obtain a master degree in Applied Anatomy at Case Western Reserve University. She later on completed her dental school education at Ohio State University. She is one of the adjunct faculties at the Pierce College dental hygiene program. Dr. Tai enjoys and is comfortable working with children in all cultural backgrounds and teaching them about cavity prevention. She understands the importance of developing and starting healthy habits at an early age. She often volunteers at local dental clinics and churches. She loves spending time in her kitchen crafting great recipes in her spare time.