About Us

Doctors

Dr. Paul Creighton (UPD Dental Associates President and CEO)Creighton

Dr. Paul Creighton is a graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine where he completed both his dental degree and his specialty training in pediatric dentistry. He received his Bachelor of Science in Biology from St. Louis University.

Dr. Creighton co-founded University Pediatric Dentistry in 1989.

Dr. Paul has served as faculty in the Department of Pediatric and Community Dentistry for the University at Buffalo since 1986, and as Assistant Dean of Pediatric and Community Dentistry since 2004. He also serves as both clinical instructor for pre-doctoral students at the School of Dental Medicine, and as clinical director for the specialty training program in pediatric dentistry.

Dr. Paul is as advisor to the Maternal and Infant Health Clinic and is the director of the Low Birth Weight/Premature Infant Dental Plate Program. He has published papers spanning numerous topics, many related to sedation and has also received multiple research grants in the Buffalo community. He also helps to direct many service activities throughout Buffalo including Give Kids a Smile Day and Smile Education Day.

Dr. Paul is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Eighth District Dental Society, the Erie County Dental Society, the Western New York Pediatric Dentistry Association and the American Dental Association.


Dr. WellsDr. Dian Chin Kit-Wells

Dr. Dian is a graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine where she completed both her Doctorate of Dental Surgery as well as her specialty training in pediatric dentistry. She also completed a general practice residency at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine and is certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She joined University Pediatric Dentistry in 2001.

Dr. Dian completed her undergraduate education at Howard University and had previously graduated from the Dental Nurses Training School in Trinidad.

Dr. Dian has served as faculty in the Department of Pediatric and Community Dentistry for the University at Buffalo since 2000, and also is an attending pediatric dentist for the pediatric dentistry specialty training program. She serves as both clinical instructor for pre-doctoral students at the School of Dental Medicine, as well as Clinical Assistant Professor in the department of Pediatric and Community Dentistry, focusing much of her teaching on community dental programs. Dr. Dian has received numerous awards including the Minority Dental Faculty Development Award for Scholarly Activity and the Dental Women’s Guild Scholarship.

Dr. Dian has chaired the Bethel Head Start's Health Advisory Board, been a board member of the Buffalo Prenatal-Perinatal Network, Inc. and continues to lecture to community organizations on the importance of oral health in very young children. She has participated in numerous international service trips to the Dominican Republic, Belize, Mexico, India and her home town in Trinidad and Tobago.

She is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Eighth District Dental Society, the American Dental Education Association, the National Dental Association and the American Dental Association.

Dr. Dian received the 2015 Alumni Association Humanitarian Award from the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. She continues to live and work between Buffalo, Arizona and Trinidad and Tobago. She enjoys Zumba, traveling and making kids smile.


Dr. Jamal Wells

Dr. Jamal Wells is a dentist in Buffalo, New York.

He provides advice on proper brushing, flossing, cleaning, healthy gums, and other dental care. It's ideal to visit Dr. Wells every 6 months or twice a year, absent additional tests that suggest a serious problem.


Dr. Tawfiq Hazboun

Dr. Tawfiq Hazboun is a graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine where he completed his Doctorate of Dental Surgery. Dr. Hazboun joined the United States Navy where he received his Prosthodontics and Master of Science degree from the Naval Postgraduate Dental School in Bethesda, MD and served three years overseas as the Prosthodontics Department head for Naval Hospital, Rota Spain. He completed his Bachelor of Science degree at Pennsylvania State University.

Dr. Hazboun is currently a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine and has presented at local and national dental meetings. He also has both his Basic Life Support and Advanced Trauma Life Support certifications.

Dr. Hazboun is a member of the American Dental Association, the New York State Dental Association, the Eighth District Dental Society, the American College of Prosthodontists, and the Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics.


Dr. Christopher Heard

Dr. Heard graduated from Edinburgh University Medical School in Scotland and completed his anaesthesia residency and pediatric intensive care fellowship in England. He is a fellow of the Royal College of Anaesthetists. He then completed his anesthesiology residency and a critical care fellowship at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo.

He is board certified in both Anesthesiology and Critical Care by the American Board of Anesthesiology.

Dr. Heard provides anesthesiology at Oishei Children's Hospital as well as being a faculty member of the PICU. He is a Clinical Professor of anesthesiology, pediatrics and pediatric and community dentistry at the University at Buffalo. He runs a pediatric dental sedation clinic for University Pediatric Dentistry. He has a keen interest in clinical research in all of his areas of clinical practice as well as teaching.


Dr. Joseph Johnson

Dr. Joseph Johnson graduated from Temple University where he earned his Doctorate of Dental Medicine. Following dental school, Dr. Joe completed an advanced education in general dentistry residency program and served as a general dentist for 5 years in the U.S. Air Force.

While in the Air Force, he developed a passion for treating the oral health care needs of children, and pursued his pediatric specialty training at University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine.

Dr. Joe is a member of American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Eight District Dental Society, the Erie County Dental Society, and the American Dental Association.

In his spare time, Dr. Joe enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons, and cheering on the the Buffalo Bills and the Sabres!


Dr. Rui Li

Dr. Li works in Buffalo, NY and specializes in General Dentistry, Endodontics and Prosthodontics.


Dr. Suketu PatelDr. Patel

Dr. Suketu Patel is a graduate of Ohio State University where he earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery, and subsequently completed a general practice residency at the Medical College of Ohio. He completed his specialty training in pediatric dentistry through the University at Buffalo. “Dr. Suke” is certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and joined University Pediatric Dentistry in 2005.

Dr. Suke has served as faculty in the Department of Pediatric and Community Dentistry for the University at Buffalo since 2005, and serves as both clinical instructor for pre-doctoral students at the School of Dental Medicine, as well as Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatric and Community Dentistry. Dr. Suke also serves as an attending pediatric dentist for the pediatric dentistry specialty training program. When he is not teaching or practicing dentistry, he spends much time on professional development attending conferences and meetings across the country.

Dr. Suke is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Eighth District Dental Society, the New York State Dental Society, the American Dental Association, and the College of Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.

Dr. Suke is married with three wonderful children and loves to spend time with friends and family. He enjoys traveling and is an avid Ohio State fan…Go Buckeyes!


Dr. Kathryn PawlakDr. Patel

Dr. Kathryn Pawlak earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Hobart and William Smith Colleges. Before entering dental school, she began her mission in dental education by founding an IRS-registered 501(c)3 pediatric dentistry non-profit called Planet Smilez, where she serves as Executive Director and Founder. Her inspiration for Planet Smilez began as a child when she was first exposed to the inequalities in dental healthcare access and the impact it has on systemic health though her own family’s lack of access to oral health care. With Planet Smilez, she organized international dental service trips to the Dominican Republic and Trinidad and Tobago providing dental education for children. She also developed the Planet Smilez Discovering Dentistry Camp to enable middle school and high school students to experience the field of dentistry and provide mentorship opportunities.

She attended the University of Maryland School of Dentistry where she received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and was recognized nationally for her commitment to community engagement from the American Dental Education Association, Hispanic Dental Association, Dental Trade Alliance Foundation and Delta Dental Foundation. 

Dr. Pawlak pursued her specialty training in pediatric dentistry at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine and John R. Oishei Children’s Hospital. She was the recipient of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Resident Recognition Award for her passion in dental education and outreach during her residency training program. Dr. Pawlak is a board-certified pediatric dentist. She is the recipient of the Pugh Scholars Award for scoring in the top 3% of all candidates taking the written portion of the pediatric board exam by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.   

Dr. Kathryn is a dedicated provider who is an advocate for all children’s oral health. Her interests include development of pathways programs for pre-dental students, the pediatric dentist’s role in management of hematology / oncology patients, and maternal infant oral health. She is passionate about dental education and currently teaches pre-doctoral dental students and post-doctoral pediatric dentistry residents.


RoseDr. Kelly Rose

Dr. Kelly Rose is a graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine where she completed both her dental degree and her specialty training in pediatric dentistry. Dr. Kelly is Certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, and joined University Pediatric Dentistry in 2004. Dr. Kelly completed her undergraduate education at SUNY at Cortland, and earned her teaching certificate as well as a Master of Science degree from SUNY at Fredonia.

Dr. Kelly has served as faculty in the Department of Pediatric and Community Dentistry for the University at Buffalo since 2005, and also serves as an attending pediatric dentist for the pediatric dentistry specialty training program. Dr. Kelly presented on research she completed at the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Annual Meeting in San Francisco, “Investigation of the relationship of oral hygiene, oral bacteriology and respiratory disease in children with cerebral palsy and dysphagia.”

Dr. Kelly is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the Eighth District Dental Society, the New York State Dental Society, the Erie County Dental Society, the Western New York Pediatric Dentistry Association and the American Dental Association.

Dr. Rose is married and has four beautiful children to keep her busy at home!


Dr. Jill Schabert

Dr. Jill Schabert graduated from the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine in 2006. She minored in oral diagnostic sciences, before completing her general practice residency at Erie County Medical Center (ECMC). Prior to completing her dental education, Dr. Schabert graduated from Canisius College, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.

Dr. Schabert is a member of the American Dental Association, the Eighth District Dental Society, the American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry, the UB Alumni Association, the Special Smiles Division of Special Olympics, and the New York State Dental Association (NYSDA).

Dr. Schabert is proud to be born and raised in Buffalo, NY. She enjoys spending time with her husband, Nick, and their two dogs, Turk and Jack. She loves all things Disney, and cheering on the Buffalo Bills (of course).


Dr. Taylor Squires is a graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. He completed his orthodontic specialty training at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health in Rochester, NY, and is a board certified orthodontist.

He is an active member of the American Association of Orthodontics and serves as the Vice President of the Monroe County Dental Society. There he chairs and leads a pre-dental club for high school students, interested in careers in dentistry.

Outside the office, Dr. Squires loves to play guitar and perform with his band. He also enjoys hiking, biking, and golf.


Dr. Eugena Stephan

Dr. Eugena B. Stephan is a prosthodontist. She provides advice on proper dental prosthetics, such as crowns and bridges. She practices general dentistry at University Pediatric Dentistry.


Dr. Tammy ThompsonDr. Thompson

Dr. Tammy Thompson is a graduate of the University of Toronto where she received her Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree. Dr. Tammy then completed a general practice residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital. She pursued her specialty training in pediatric dentistry at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine.

Upon completion of her residencies, Dr. Tammy practiced in a hospital setting at Geisinger Medical Center. There she served as part of the craniofacial team, taught lectures to medical residents and was involved in community outreach programs during National Children’s Dental Health month. She is Certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and is a fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada.

Dr. Tammy serves as both clinical instructor for the pre-doctoral students at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, as well as Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Pediatric and Community Dentistry. Dr. Tammy is also a facilitator at the Behling Simulation Center and serves as an attending pediatric dentist for the pediatric dentistry specialty training program.

Dr. Tammy is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the New York State Dental Association and the Eighth District Dental Society.


Dr. Timothy Votta

Dr. Timothy Votta, DDS is an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Specialist and has over 21 years of experience in the medical field. He graduated from Columbia University in 2002 and the Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo in 2005.


Dr. Maureen Wood


Dr. Juan F. Yepes

Dr. Juan F. Yepes is originally from Colombia, South America. He moved to the United States in 1998 and became a proud U.S. citizen in 2008. Dr. Juan is both a dentist (DDS)and a physician (MD) from Javeriana University at Bogota, Colombia. In 1999, Dr. Juan moved to the U.S. and attended the University of Iowa and the University of Pennsylvania where he completed his fellowship and residency in Radiology and Oral Medicine respectively in 2002 and 2004.

In 2006, Dr. Yepes completed a Master in Public Health (MPH) degree, and in 2011 a Doctoral Degree in Public Health (DrPH) at the University of Kentucky, College of Public Health. Both degrees had an emphasis in Epidemiology. In 2008, Dr. Juan completed a residency program in Dental Public Health at the University of Texas, Baylor College of Dentistry. Finally, in 2012 he completed a certificate and Master of Science degree in pediatric dentistry at the University of Kentucky. He is certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Board of Oral Medicine, the American Board of Dental Public Health and is currently an associate professor in pediatric dentistry at Indiana University.