Dr. Richard Downing, DDS
Dentist | General Practice
1626 Olympic Hwy N Shelton WA, 98584About
Dr. Richard Downing is a Dentist practicing in Shelton, WA. Dr. Downing specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases and conditions associated with the mouth and overall dental health. Dentists are trained to carry out such treatment as professional cleaning, restorative, prosthodontic, and endodontic procedures, and performing examinations, among many others.
Education and Training
University of Washington School of Dentistry D.D.S. 2001
Provider Details
Areas of expertise and specialization
Faculty Titles & Positions
- Adjunct Faculty Department of Oral Medicine at the University of Washington -
- President Thurston Mason County Dental Society -
Charities and Philanthropic Endeavors
- Carr-Downing Smiling D.D.S Scholarship
Dr. Richard Downing, DDS's Practice location
Dr. Richard Downing, DDS's reviews
Write ReviewMedia Releases
Get to know Exceptional Dentistry with Dr. Richard C. Downing. Dr. Downing and his phenomenal team serve patients in Washington.
Dr. Downing is a general dentist with over 25 years of dental experience. His private practice, Hood Canal Family Dental graciously serves all of Mason County Washington.
Striving to treat everyone with love, compassion, and care, his priority is to offer world-class service that is technologically advanced, comfortable, and value conscience.
Growing up in Walla Walla, Washington, Dr. Downing has worked as a long-line fisherman in Alaska, a roofer on the Kingdome project, and as a general construction laborer. He understands the value of a hard day’s work.
A 2001 graduate of the University of Washington School of Dentistry, he owned practices in Shelton, Tumwater, and Chehalis, Washington. During his time in Shelton/Chehalis, he played an instrumental role in establishing a clinic that provides free dental services to the residents of Mason County. For ten consecutive years, Dr. Downing also sponsored a free day of dentistry in his offices, seeing an average of over 100 patients and performing free dental services for the local community.
Working hard to maintain a diverse and broad-based background in his field, his experiences range from working as adjunct faculty in the Department of Oral Medicine at the University of Washington, to that of assuming the role of President of the Thurston Mason County Dental Society.
During his 25 years as a general dentist, Dr. Downing has been fortunate enough to have worked as a volunteer in Honduras and Guatemala. He is also proud to be a Co-Founder of the Carr-Downing Smiling D.D.S Scholarship, an endowment scholarship that commits $1200 annually to worthy recipients studying at the University of Washington School of Dentistry.
Dentistry, also known as Dental and Oral Medicine, is a branch of medicine that consists of the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the oral cavity. Dentists diagnose and treat dental issues and help patients develop better oral hygiene regimens. They clean teeth, correct bite issues, perform surgeries and extractions, and perform other duties to ensure that the teeth and mouth are healthy.
Happily married, Dr. Downing cherishes spending time with his wife, Michelle, and their children - Archer, Forrest, and Hunter. They enjoy the Cub Scouts, camping, hiking, fishing, and traveling.
Recommended Articles
- Osteoporosis and Oral Health
What is Osteoporosis?Osteoporosis is a disease that affects the bones all over the body. It is a medical condition characterized by a weakness of the bones, due to different factors, leading to fractures of the bones due to minor trauma or no trauma at all. Major causes of osteoporosis are age,...
- The 3 Biggest Threats to Your Teeth
Teeth can last a lifetime if they are properly cared for. However, different factors can influence the appearance and quality of your teeth over time. Chips, fractures, and broken teethChipping and fracturing teeth occurs when one bites on something very hard, like a popcorn kernel or stale bread....
- Why Do I Have a Toothache?
Toothaches refers to the pain in and around one's mouth and jaw. This pain can be very mild or throbbing, and differs in intensity from one person to another. The pain may start suddenly. In some cases, the pain may become worse with time or just disappear after some time.Some of the common causes...
- Healthy Teeth for a Healthy Life
Dentists suggest that infection and inflammation of the oral cavity correlates with other medical conditions, like a heart attack or dementia, and can cause serious health concerns over a period of time. Although the causes and effects between oral health and health conditions are not yet...
- Denture Creams Can Cause Nerve Damage
A number of recent reports show that overuse of denture creams and other products leads to nerve damage. The major reason behind this damage is zinc poisoning from the products. Zinc is an important mineral required by the body, but the amount of zinc is usually balanced with that of copper. People...
- Gum Contouring
Gum contouring, also known as gum reshaping or tissue sculpting, is a dental procedure done to correct an uneven gum line in people who have teeth resting either too high or low on the gums.The cause of the gums being too high or too low is mainly genetics. It may also be due to certain medical...
Nearby Providers
- William J Busacca D.D.S1525 Olympic Hwy N Shelton WA 98584
- Steven Herschel Bowers DDS717 W Railroad Ave Shelton WA 98584
- Duane Stephen Moore DENTIST2026 Olympic Hwy N Shelton WA 98584
- Caden Ngo D.D.S3100 Se Old Olympic Hwy Shelton WA 98584
- Dr. Colette Elizabeth Lash D.D.S.233 Professional Way Shelton WA 98584
- Dr. Kyle Houston Hackney DDS1051 Se State Route 3 Shelton WA 98584