11/10/2024
Dr. Van Horn is committed to enhancing patient well-being through exceptional comprehensive oral care, drawing on over 18 years of dental experience. She has worked in various roles, earned her DDS from the University of Oklahoma, and received the 2012 DENTSPLY International Merit Award for removable prosthodontics. Practicing with top clinicians, Dr. Van Horn values mentorship and collaboration. She completed a post-doctorate Dental Implantology Preceptorship Program at the University of Texas in 2014. She expanded the scope of comprehensive care at Southern Smiles Dental, performing over 800 implant surgeries and restoring 1000+ implant cases. In 2017, she co-founded MIO Dental Careers, training hundreds of dental assistants and dentists in Oklahoma and beyond. Dedicated to continuous learning, Dr. Van Horn takes more than 100 CE hours yearly and actively mentors general dentists to improve patient care.
Favorite thing about OCO?
What’s my favorite thing about OCO Biomedical? Honestly, there are a couple of things! First, I love having the complete kit, which lets me place any implant OCO offers—this versatility helps my team and I adapt quickly during procedures. We’re able to quickly get the needed implant or implant part off of our wall and keep the procedure flowing. Second, the OCO team is amazing! Whether I have a question or need a part fast, they’re always ready to jump in and help. Huge thanks to OCO for being so reliable!
Story about placing an implant:
At Southern Smiles Dental, we had a 17-year-old patient referred to us for orthodontics and a possible prosthesis or implant. She had been bullied her entire life because of a large anterior gap and was too self-conscious to smile. Her mother was hopeful we could help. Over the course of two years, we provided a combination of traditional braces and aligners to create the perfect space between teeth #6 and #8. We were able to place an implant in that narrow gap, completely transforming her smile. Now, at every recall visit, she walks in grinning from ear to ear, has started college classes, and is making new friends!