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 Dr. Jeffrey Leinassar is a native of Astoria who received his Bachelor of Science degree in 1971 from Oregon State University. He received his Doctorate (DMD) from Oregon Health Sciences School of Dentistry in 1975.
Dr. Leinassar has taken more than 2000 hours of continuing education programs, including graduating from the Advanced Cosmetic Curriculum at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies and PAC-Live, an advanced esthetic continuum at the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco. In 1997 Dr. Leinassar earned a Fellowship in the American Academy of General Dentistry. In 2001, Dr. Leinassar met the rigorous requirements to earn accreditation status with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
He is the fifth Oregon dentist and one of 200 dentists worldwide to receive the honor of accreditation with the AACD. He is also an accreditation examiner for the AACD, member of the American Dental Association, and is on staff at Columbia Memorial Hospital.
In his free time, Dr. Leinassar enjoys spending time with his family, reading and playing competitive tournament golf.
 Dr. Dennis Klemp is originally from Butte, Montana and attended Montana State University. Dr. Klemp received his Doctorate (DMD) from Oregon Health Sciences in 1991. He joined the practice of Dr. Leinassar in 1991 and became a full partner in 1993. Dr. Klemp has taken over 700 hours of continuing education, including graduating from the advanced cosmetic program at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies and PAC-Live, an advanced esthetic continuum at the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco. He is a member of the American Dental Association, American Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and is also on staff at Columbia Memorial Hospital. In his free time, Dr. Klemp enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, hunting and fishing. Dentist Receives Recognition Astoria dentist Dr. Jeffrey Leinassar has been selected by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry as an accreditation examiner. Dr. Leinassar will be part of a 20 member international team evaluating and judging submitted cases by dental applicants pursuing the rigorous accreditation process. The examinations are scheduled for Nov.30-Dec.3 in Madison, Wisconsin at the AACD international headquarters. Dr. Leinassar received his accredition credentials in 2001 is one of 5 Oregon dentists and one of 230 dentists worldwide to earn accreditation status with the AACD. Dr. Leinassar practices general family dentistry for all ages with his partner Dr. Dennis Klemp at Marine Drive in Astoria, Oregon. Dr. Leinassar and Dr. Klemp can be reached at 503-325-0310. Accreditation Success Story  In September of 1994, I attended with my team the three-day Profitable Dentist Conference in Sun River, Oregon. At this medium-sized meeting were many notable speakers and educators including Buddy Mopper, Larry Rosenthal, and Bill Dickerson. I sat there stunned by what I was seeing and hearing. How could I have missed the boat providing the kind of dentistry I was witnessing. Although I considered myself esthetically oriented, it became apparent to me I needed to step it up. Many of the speakers spoke enthusiastically about the AACD and encouraged joining the Academy and I immediately signed up, my application was put in the mail!
A monumental breakthrough for me came from this conference which I have shared many times. Specifically, hearing Dr Mopper, meeting Buddy and his wife Joan, and being introduced to the Ranamel Restorative System. The fire was lit underneath me and I could never return to doing things the way I used to. I had seen a better way. My wife sensing my new found enthusiasm secretly meet with Dr. Mopper at a break and signed me up for a hands-on course in Chicago, for my birthday present!!. Today Dr. Mopper remains one of my dearest friends in the dentistry and the AACD. I attended my first AACD Scientific Session in 1996 in San Diego which I still recall as a superb conference. I met so many like-minded dentists, all friendly, supportive, encouraging and motivated. The presentations were so inspiring and gave such credibility to the AACD and cosmetic dentistry. I was hooked, I wanted more. The camaraderie I witnessed among the accredited members was very impressive. I knew this was something special, acquired through hard work and worthwile to pursue. Many gave encouragement to work toward accreditation. I accepted the challenge and began the process. Fortunately I was given a mentor who I utilized on many occasions. David Philip of Victoria, B.C. was a valued asset to me as my mentor. I recall on our first discussion of some preliminary cases, Dr Philip said, "Jeff, I can tell you are a good dentist and accreditation is a good goal for you, but your photography stinks". The next day a new Yashika Dental Eye 2 was ordered! I also began ramping up my dental and cosmetic education with courses from Cosmedent, Ron Jackson, LVI, Pac-Live and Frank Spear. During my time at LVI I met David Hornbrook who I also call one of my key mentors and friends. Dr Hornbrook encouraged me to get my smile in shape and replace an old PFM bridge I had from 6-11 replacing accidentally lost teeth 8 and 9. So, I was off to San Diego, and now my smile has a vectris frame with ten Empress veneers from 4-13 designed by David Hornbrook and Matt Roberts. Top Now I was starting to walk the talk, getting educated, seeing better results, and having fun doing dentistry. As my cases got more frequent and the results better, I began acquiring slides of cases I was doing. I flew up to Victoria with a half-dozen cases (slides) to review with my mentor Dr. Philip. We had a fantastic day. He picked me up at the airport, breakfast at his country club, and a personal tour of lovely Victoria. I flew back later that day with all 6 cases given the thumbs down. It was another turning point and a tremendous learning day. Now I was starting to understand and get the eye for what met the accreditation standard. From that day case selection, photography and finishing were easier and got me closer "to the zone of excellence" the AACD was looking for. The advice given to me which I share with readers of this column, is this: use great case selection, present 5 home runs cases and successful passing is possible. I presented my first cases in San Antonio 1999 and received a conditional pass. My bridge and veneer case would need another attempt. I was encouraged and motivated to succeed. I found new cases and completed my work following year. I shall never forget getting an envelop from the AACD in March 2001 and reading of my successful completion of the Accreditation process. I was overwhelmed, choked-up and so very proud. At the AACD meeting in Boston 2001, my wife and I flew our daughter Tiffany and a friend out from Santa Clara University to join us for the Accreditation award presentation. also at our table were my partner and his wife, and Buddy and Joan Mopper. The proudest moment in dentistry was upon me. A five-year journey now completed which had raised the bar in so many ways to make me a better dentist to help my patients in ways I had not known before becoming involved with the AACD. The AACD and Accreditation process has opened many doors for me which include: Accreditation examiner past 2 years, cover story for the Doctor of Dentistry Magazine published for Oregon and Washington, Offical Miss Oregon dental office, won the 2005 Ivoclar Smile Cover Model Mania contest with Miss Oregon 2004 as my patient, chosen by the editor as the cover photo for (this) AACD Journal, teaching assistant for Cosmedent, and most importantly, have made so many new friends from my AACD experience. I encourage all of you to go for it. You can do it. If I can so can you! I would like to give special written thanks to those who have had the biggest impact on my career. First and most importantly my wife Cathy and daughters Tiffany and Meghan, Dr Buddy Mopper, David Hornbrook, David Philip and all my many dear friends in the AACD. Dr Jeffrey M Leinassar has practiced in Astoria, Oregon since 1975. A graduate of Oregon Health Sciences School of Dentistry and Oregon State University. Dr Leinassar received his accreditation status in 2001, is now an accreditation examiner for the AACD, and a teaching assistant for Cosmedent. Dr Leinassar is an avid golfer, 8-time club champion and a past participant in the 2001 US senior Open. Dr Leinassar and his wife have two daughters Tiffany and Meghan. |
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