Our Team

Our Dentists

Dr. Michelle Stafford

Board Certified Pediatric Dentist

Dr. Kristen Yu

Board Certified Pediatric Dentist

Dentists

Dr. Stafford

Dr. Michelle Stafford

Dr. Michelle Stafford founded World of Smiles, Pediatric Dentistry in August 2008. After graduating University of the Pacific: Arthur Dugoni School of Dentistry, Dr. Stafford chose the pediatric dental specialty because she believes that every child deserves to have a positive experience going to the dentist.

She completed an additional two years of training after dental school in an accredited pediatric residency program to become a pediatric dental specialist. Throughout this two year program she cared for children of all ages and especially children with special needs such as: autism, cerebral palsy and cleft lip/palate. This hospital-based residency provided a safe environment to treat the dental needs of children under general anesthesia, conscious sedation and/or nitrous oxide.

Dr. Stafford is also very passionate about tongue and lip ties. After experiencing the effects of of a severe tongue tie with her first baby, she was unhappy with the traditional treatment options, so she sought more education on the issue to be able to offer the laser procedure to release tongue and lip ties in office. Learn more about tongue tie here.

Dr. Stafford enjoys hiking, crafty projects like sewing and scrap-booking and exploring the Portland area with her two boys. Some of her other hobbies include photography, traveling and learning about different cultures. She has incorporated her love of travel into World of Smiles. The kids' office interior serves as a gallery for artwork and photography from around the world.

Dr. Yang

Dr. Michelle Yang

Dr. Michelle Yang was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea, but she thinks of Portland as her home. She has been here since she was fourteen. She received her Bachelor of Science from Oregon State University and received her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Oregon Health Science University in 2012. She also successfully completed a year General Practice Residency at Montefiore Medical Center in the Bronx, New York.

Dr. Yang fell in love seeing kids while practicing as a general practitioner in Denver, Colorado and was inspired to pursue an additional two years of training in an accredited pediatric residency program to become a pediatric dental specialist.

Her goal is to provide a dental experience that is safe and fun for children. She believes in treating all of her patients with compassion and strives to provide the best treatment available.

Dr. Yang enjoys hiking, biking, and snowboarding with her husband, Peter, and their brown labradoodle named Ipa. She also loves traveling the world and eating different cuisines!

Dr. Henriot

Dr. Diane Henriot

Spending her early childhood in France and later moving to Oregon at the age of 6, Dr. Henriot grew up in West Linn, Oregon and went on to Oregon State University. This is where she discovered her passion for science and medicine. Dr. H has gained experience in all aspects of dentistry since graduating from the OHSU School of Dentistry in 2015. She enjoys building relationships with her patients, including children and their parents, and aims to improve your overall health through education and prevention. Dr. Henriot will ensure that her patients receive optimal dental care in a friendly and comfortable environment.

Meeting her husband in dental school, Dr. H is looking forward to raising a family in the Portland metro area. They recently added a new family member, Millie, the cutest mini cockapoo puppy. Together they enjoy exploring all of what the Pacific Northwest has to offer as well as traveling to other parts of the world to experience new cultures.

Dr. Kristen Yu

Dr. Kristen was raised in Elmhurst, NY. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Stony Brook University and pursued her dental education at Stony Brook University School of Dental Medicine. It was during rotations working with children that inspired her to continue her post-graduate education in pediatric dentistry. Dr. Kristen’s Specialty Pediatric Dental hospital training was completed at Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, where she gained a wide range of experiences providing care for all children including those with special needs. Dr. Kristen believes in evaluating the children’s dental needs from a preventative and comprehensive perspective, ensuring that they receive quality care while still maintaining positive dental experiences.

Dr. Kristen recently moved from NY and is excited to explore the city of Portland with her fiancé, Ben. In her free time, she enjoys reading, catching up on new television shows, and trying to learn how to cook.

Dr. Yu

Dr. Jeffrey Kobernik

Dr. Kobernik is a board-certified dentist anesthesiologist; he completed his residency through NYU in Brooklyn. He received his doctorate in medical dentistry from OHSU. Upon graduation from dental school, he accepted a position as an associate dentist in Pendleton, OR. While there, Dr. Kobernik joined St. Anthony’s Hospital, where he focused on pediatric dentistry. Focusing on treating patients with special needs and developmental delay through the use of general anesthesia.

Dr. Kobernik’s interest in anesthesia took him to New York City where he was given the opportunity to be trained as a dentist anesthesiologist. Based out of NYU Langone Hospitals, Dr. Kobernik excelled at the practice of anesthesia and was named Chief Resident at NYU’s Dental Anesthesia residency.

Dr. Kobernik is an active member of the Oregon Dental Association, the Oregon Academy of General Dentistry, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, and he is a member of both the American Dental Society of Anesthesia and the American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists.

In his spare time, he enjoys riding his motorcycle, spending time with family, and enjoying the outdoors.

Dr. Kobernik

Team