MEET THE DOCTORS
With over a combined 60 years of experience practicing in the community, our patients and referring doctors are our friends, neighbors, children’s teachers, and our own health care providers. We live and work in the communities we share with our patients and referring doctors.
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As independent private practice root canal specialists, we are able to maintain the high quality of care and personal attention that has always been found in our small private offices.
Arash Niazi, DDS
Dr. Niazi obtained his Doctorate in Dental Surgery from Case Western Reserve University in 2003. After practicing for five years as a general dentist in Tacoma and Gig Harbor, he attended the University of Southern California to become certified in Endodontics (root canal specialist).
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Dr. Niazi's past experience as a general dentist is an asset in providing a multidisciplinary approach to long-term treatment in conjunction with a patient's general dentist. Dr. Niazi believes root canal treatment is the best method of saving teeth and improving oral health, an essential part of a patient's overall health. He believes that endodontic treatment should be affordable, comfortable, and of long-lasting results. Dr. Niazi has enjoyed returning home to serve the endodontic needs for the people of Pierce, Kitsap and Mason counties.
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Dr. Niazi is active in endodontic research and publication. He has volunteered and traveled to El Salvador to provide endodontic care to the less fortunate. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Rebecca, and their daughter and son.
Tina Olsson, DMD, MSD
Dr. Olsson earned her Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania. She is a recipient of the Army’s Health Professional Scholarship Program and served as a dental officer for four years directly after graduating from dental school. During that time, she completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency program where her skills were refined practicing in the Landstuhl and Kaiserslautern multi-specialty clinics.
During her time of service, Dr. Olsson had the opportunity to complete a tour in Baghdad providing dental care for our deployed soldiers. After fulfilling her commitment to the US Army, she joined a private practice in the DC Metro area.
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Dr. Olsson enjoys learning and growing professionally. As a general dentist she regularly attended ADA conferences, Spear Education courses and a variety of other hands on classes. Part of her professional growth included earning a Fellow designation with the AGD. After nearly a decade of general practice and completing over 65 credit hours in the endodontic specialty, Dr. Olsson returned to school to complete a residency in Endodontics. She and her family bundled that adventure with returning home to attend the University of Washington Graduate Endodontic Program.
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Her memberships include: American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, Washington State Dental Association, Pierce County Dental Society and the Kitsap County Dental Society. As a member of the American Association of Endodontists, Dr. Olsson recently earned Diplomate designation.
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When not working Dr. Olsson sews dresses for her daughter, digs in the yard, watches football with her husband and skis when there’s snow!
Hadjir Haghparast, DDS, MS
“Dr. H” was raised in Sweden where he earned a Master of Science Degree and Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree from Malmo University. He continued to practice general dentistry in a multi-specialty practice where he discovered his passion for endodontics. Dr. H was also a faculty member at Malmo University where he was active in research and publications.
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In pursuit of professional growth, Dr. H moved to the United States and attended the University of Southern California, Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry. Here he completed his post-doctoral residency in Endodontics.
Dr. H now calls the Pacific Northwest home. Coincidentally, this area reminds him very much of where he grew up in Sweden. Hadjir’s unique cross-cultural background and life experiences enable him to relate to everyone, regardless of socioeconomic, religious, or cultural background. He is fluent in English, Swedish, German and Farsi.
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Steve Baerg, DMD
Dr. Baerg was raised in Gig Harbor, WA and attended Bellarmine Preparatory School and Pacific Lutheran University both in Tacoma, WA. He received his dental training at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston, MA. Following a general dentistry hospital residency in San Diego, CA, Dr. Baerg returned to Boston to complete his endodontic training at Boston University.
​He has been an Affiliate Assistant Professor at the University of Washington, Department of Endodontics and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics. He is a past-President of the Washington State Association of Endodontists, past-President of the International Academy of Endodontics, and has been a committee member of the American Association of Endodontists.
Dr. Baerg has lectured extensively and published on the importance of conservative approaches to endodontic care, including authoring a book chapter on this subject. He is an active member of several local study clubs and has enjoyed taking a leadership role in endodontics.
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Dr. Baerg enjoys spending time with his wife, Stephanie, and their three grown children. He enjoys numerous outdoor sports and activities, and anything related to coffee.
Lisa Elias, DDS, MSD
Dr. Elias received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Detroit Mercy where she was accepted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon national dental honor society. After completing an Advanced General Dentistry residency at the University of Washington, she practiced the full scope of general dentistry in Kailua, HI then Fife, WA. Due to her commitment to continuing education, she was awarded Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry.
Dr. Elias attended The University of Washington for her endodontic training. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics. She previously worked as an endodontist in Silverdale, WA then Council Bluffs, IA. Dr. Elias maintains professional memberships in the American Association of Endodontists, American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, Washington State Dental Association, and Pierce County Dental Society.
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Dr. Elias is known for her gentle chairside manner that allows her patients to feel understood, comfortable, and well cared for.
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Dr. Elias is happy to return to the South Sound area after living in the Midwest. When she is not doing root canals, she’s playing with her toddler, Samuel, or cooking with her husband, Tom. On the weekends you’ll find them hiking, skiing, or camping.
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Howard Van Ness, DDS, MS
Dr. Van Ness earned his Doctorate in Dental Surgery from Case Western Reserve University in 2001 and was a recipient of the Navy’s Health Professional Scholarship Program. He completed a General Practice Residency in Portsmouth, Virginia where he enhanced his dental skills with focus on treatment of medically compromised patients. After practicing general dentistry for six years in the Navy, he completed a residency in Endodontics at the Naval Postgraduate Dental School while concurrently earning his master’s degree from George Washington University.
Dr. Van Ness retired from the Navy after 22 years of honorable service. During his time of Naval service, he had the opportunity to work alongside diverse dental specialties to provide a comprehensive approach to dental care for service members around the world at eleven different duty stations including deployment aboard the USS John C. Stennis from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.
After retirement, he enjoyed working as an endodontist in Prescott, AZ, and is excited to return to Silverdale because his family fell in love with the Puget Sound when he was twice stationed in the area at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and at Bangor Submarine Base.
His memberships include American Dental Association, American Association of Endodontists, Washington State Dental Association, and International College of Dentists (Fellow).
Dr. Van Ness and his wife have four children, an American Akita, and two rescue cats. His family loves spending time together playing games, traveling, and enjoying all the Pacific
Northwest has to offer.
