The people who'll be taking care of you

Founder & Owner

Dr. Gina Viernes

Founded Smile Dental Center in 2001. The reason this practice exists.

Dr. Gina opened Smile Dental Center in March 2001 with a simple idea: dentistry should feel personal, not transactional. Patients should leave understanding what was done, why it mattered, and what comes next.

Originally from the Philippines, she graduated from Centro Escolar University in 1987 and practiced there before moving to Hawai'i in 1996. From 2006 to 2009 she pursued continuing education at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, focusing on full-mouth rehabilitation, neuromuscular dentistry, orthodontics, and dental implants. In 2020 she opened the practice's current location in Waipahu.

She's especially known for full-mouth reconstructions, cosmetic work, and complex implant cases. Outside the office, you'll find her swimming, snorkeling, biking, or in her garden. Family time outdoors is her favorite thing.

• DMD, Centro Escolar University, Philippines, 1987
• Continuing education, Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, 2006-2009
• Founded Smile Dental Center, March 2001
• Speaks Tagalog and Kapampangan fluently, plus some Ilocano

Associate Dentist

Dr. Kentaro Matsumoto

Three generations of dentistry in the family. Brings precision and the latest techniques.

Dr. Kentaro grew up in Japan in a family full of dentists. His grandmother sparked the path, and three generations later he's still at it.

He graduated from Showa University Dental School in Japan in 2002, completed USC School of Dentistry's Advanced Standing Program for International Dentists in 2013, and earned his U.S. dental credentials in 2015. Along the way he picked up an MBA from Hawaii Pacific University, which gives him an unusually thoughtful perspective on how a practice should run for patients.

He's known for being meticulous and for working with the latest techniques and tools. If you've never had a dentist who pays attention to every detail, you'll feel the difference.

Outside the office, you'll find him surfing Hawai'i's beaches, traveling the world (he draws inspiration from different cultures), or working on music.

• DDS, Showa University Dental School, Japan, 2002
• USC Advanced Standing Program for International Dentists, 2013
• U.S. dental credentials, 2015
• MBA, Hawaii Pacific University, 2009
• Speaks Japanese

Associate Dentist

Dr. Phuong Nguyen

Family and cosmetic dentistry with honesty, empathy, and a gentle touch.

Dr. Phuong was born in Vietnam and moved to California with her family during high school. She earned her undergraduate degree in Molecular and Cell Biology from UC Berkeley before graduating Magna Cum Laude from Temple University School of Dentistry in Philadelphia in 2012.

She practiced family and cosmetic dentistry in Sacramento, and later in Maryland from 2020, before joining the team in Waipahu. A cousin in dentistry first inspired her to choose this path, and you can feel that family-first approach in how she works.

Her philosophy is honesty, empathy, and individualized care. No two patients are the same, and she treats kids, adults, and seniors with the same gentle touch and attention to detail.

Outside the office, she's outdoors with her family, on a hike, working on a DIY project, or listening to music and podcasts.

• DMD (Magna Cum Laude), Temple University School of Dentistry, 2012
• BS Molecular and Cell Biology, UC Berkeley
• Speaks Vietnamese

Associate Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

Dr. Rohit Sahdev

Harvard-trained oral surgeon on staff. Wisdom teeth, implants, jaw surgery, all in-house.

Dr. Rohit is the oral and maxillofacial surgeon on staff at Smile Dental Center. What that means for you: wisdom teeth, surgical extractions, dental implants, bone grafting, and other surgical work that most general dentists send out, we handle right here, with him.

He earned his undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley, his DMD from Harvard University School of Dental Medicine, and completed his oral and maxillofacial surgery residency at Tufts University Medical Center in Boston. He served as Chief Resident in his final year and received the Dr. Kenneth M. Stern Award for academic excellence and clinical skill.

His full-scope practice covers dentoalveolar and wisdom tooth surgery, dental implant placement, bone and soft tissue grafting, exposing impacted teeth for orthodontic treatment, facial trauma, jaw surgery, and oral pathology.

Outside work, he's outdoors, cooking, or traveling with his wife Hana and son Alex.

• DMD, Harvard University School of Dental Medicine
• Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Residency, Tufts University Medical Center (Chief Resident, Dr. Kenneth M. Stern Award)
• BS, UC Berkeley