About East Wind Dental Care
Serving Hillsboro Since 2006
East Wind Dental Care opened its doors in 2006 in a small office on NE Shaleen Street in Hillsboro. The idea was straightforward: give people honest dental care in a place that doesn’t feel cold or corporate. Twenty years later, that’s still the idea.
We’ve grown since then. Our patient base has expanded across Hillsboro, Beaverton, Aloha, Tanasbourne, and Orenco Station. We’ve invested in digital X-rays, CEREC same-day crowns, 3D imaging, and laser dentistry. We’ve added team members, expanded services, and watched the Hillsboro area grow up around us. But the core hasn’t changed: treat people well, do good work, and explain everything clearly.
Many of our original patients still come in. Some have brought their kids. A few have brought their grandkids. That kind of continuity — knowing a family’s dental history spanning decades — makes us better at what we do. It also means something to us that’s hard to quantify.
Our name, “East Wind,” was chosen deliberately. In many cultures, an east wind signals change and renewal. That’s what we try to offer: a fresh start for patients who need it, steady care for those who are in good shape, and honest guidance either way.
Dr. Merat Ostovar — “Dr. O”
Dr. Merat Ostovar has been practicing dentistry for over 15 years, and he’s been the clinical heart of East Wind Dental Care since 2011. Patients call him Dr. O, and what they consistently say about him is this: he listens, he explains, and he doesn’t rush.
Education and Training
Dr. O earned his Bachelor of Science at Portland State University before attending Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) School of Dentistry, where he received his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree. He completed an advanced general dentistry residency after graduation — an additional year of intensive hands-on training in complex restorative work, surgical procedures, and patient management that most general dentists don’t pursue.
That residency year gave Dr. O a level of comfort with challenging cases that serves our patients every day. Whether it’s a straightforward filling or a multi-step full mouth reconstruction, he approaches it with the same methodical calm.
Continuing Education
Dentistry changes. Materials improve, techniques evolve, and new technology creates possibilities that didn’t exist five years ago. Dr. O takes continuing education seriously — not as a checkbox requirement, but as a professional obligation.
He has completed advanced training at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, focusing on cosmetic dentistry, smile design, and porcelain veneers. He invested hundreds of hours in dental implant training through the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, enabling him to handle both surgical placement and restoration in-house. He’s certified in sedation dentistry, trained in oral conscious sedation and nitrous oxide administration, so patients who are anxious or undergoing longer procedures can be comfortable.
He’s earned his Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD) — a distinction that requires over 500 hours of continuing education and passing a comprehensive exam. Only about 7% of general dentists hold this credential.
Professional Memberships
- Fellow, Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD)
- American Dental Association
- Oregon Dental Association
- Digital X-rays that dramatically reduce radiation exposure versus traditional film, with instant chairside image review
- CEREC same-day restoration system for crowns, inlays, and onlays fabricated in a single visit
- 3D cone beam CT scanner for precise implant planning and complex diagnostics
- Intraoral cameras so you can see what Dr. O sees during your exam
- Digital impression scanner — no more gagging on impression putty
- Soft tissue laser for minimally invasive gum procedures
- Do You Have a Multilingual Dentist in Hillsboro? (Farsi, Spanish, English) — how Dr. Ostovar’s Farsi fluency, our bilingual Spanish-speaking staff, and East Wind Dental Care’s welcoming approach serve the diverse Hillsboro community.
- Our Community Involvement — Local sponsorships and community programs.
- Meet Our Team — The hygienists, assistants, and front-office team behind the doctors.
- What Patients Say — Reviews from Hillsboro and Washington County patients.
- Our Technology — iTero, CBCT, CEREC, Waterlase, and other in-office tools.
- Why Choose East Wind — What sets the practice apart from chain dentistry.
How Dr. O Practices
If you’ve been to dental offices where you feel like you’re on a conveyor belt — examined in three minutes, handed a treatment plan you don’t fully understand, and ushered out — you’ll notice the difference here.
Dr. O takes the time to sit down with patients and talk through findings using X-rays, intraoral photos, and plain language. He doesn’t use scare tactics, and he doesn’t push unnecessary treatment. If a small cavity can be monitored rather than filled immediately, he’ll tell you. If a tooth needs a crown, he’ll explain why a filling won’t hold up and what happens if you wait.
He believes in conservative dentistry — preserving natural tooth structure whenever possible. He also believes that a patient who understands their options will make better decisions than one who’s told what to do.
Outside the office, Dr. O spends time with his family, hikes throughout the Pacific Northwest, and stays active. He’s a reader who keeps up with medical and dental research not because he has to, but because he finds it genuinely interesting.
Our Team
A dental practice is only as good as the people running it. We’re fortunate to have a team that’s been together for years and genuinely works well together. You can also visit our team page for more about each member. Here’s who you’ll meet:
Yalena Gofman, RDH — Dental Hygienist
Yalena is thorough, gentle, and has a gift for putting anxious patients at ease. She performs cleanings, takes X-rays, applies fluoride and sealants, and educates patients on home care. She’s the person who will notice early signs of gum disease before they become a problem, and she’ll teach you how to floss the spots you’ve been missing.
Dr. Derek Youngblood, DMD — General Dentist
Dr. Youngblood joined East Wind Dental Care from Evergreen Family Dentistry & Orthodontics in Beaverton. A fellow OHSU graduate, he brings the same educational foundation as Dr. Ostovar and a genuine passion for patient-centered, whole-health dentistry. Dr. Youngblood is especially skilled at putting anxious patients at ease and takes time to ensure every patient fully understands their treatment options. He places implants alongside his general and restorative caseload. With three doctors on the team — Dr. Ostovar, Dr. Gvozden, and Dr. Youngblood — we offer more appointment availability, shorter wait times, and collaborative treatment planning on complex cases.
Marina Weinstein, RDH — Dental Hygienist
Marina is meticulous and calm, with years of experience in preventive care and periodontal therapy. She works closely with Dr. Ostovar on patients who need deeper cleaning or ongoing gum disease management. Patients regularly request Marina by name, which tells you everything about the quality of her care.
Mohammad Ehsan Zangeneh — Dental Assistant
Ehsan assists Dr. O during procedures, keeping everything organized and running smoothly. He prepares treatment rooms, takes X-rays, and helps patients understand post-treatment care instructions. His attention to detail and steady demeanor make complex procedures feel routine.
Blanca Anabel Hernandez — Dental Assistant (Bilingual English/Spanish)
Blanca is a skilled assistant who also serves as a bridge for our Spanish-speaking patients. Being able to explain a procedure, answer questions, and provide reassurance in a patient’s first language makes a meaningful difference in their comfort level and understanding.
Maria Jesus Garcia Camarillo — Office Manager (Bilingual English/Spanish)
Maria runs the front office with efficiency and warmth. She handles scheduling, insurance verification, billing, and the hundred other details that keep a dental practice moving. If you have questions about your insurance benefits, payment options, or what to expect at your first visit, Maria is your go-to person. She’s also bilingual, ensuring our Spanish-speaking patients can navigate the administrative side of their care with confidence.
Bilingual Services
We serve a diverse community, and language shouldn’t be a barrier to dental care. Blanca and Maria are fluent in both English and Spanish, which means Spanish-speaking patients and families can communicate comfortably at every step — from scheduling an appointment to understanding a treatment plan to asking questions during a procedure.
Our Office and Technology
Our office at 7546 NE Shaleen St was designed with patients in mind, not just clinical efficiency. Treatment rooms have natural light, flat-screen monitors, and comfortable chairs. The waiting area is calm and welcoming, with complimentary beverages and Wi-Fi.
On the clinical side, we’ve invested in technology that makes a tangible difference in your care:
We follow strict sterilization and infection control protocols that meet or exceed CDC and OSHA guidelines. Instruments are autoclaved and individually packaged. Treatment rooms are thoroughly disinfected between patients.
Our Philosophy
We keep it simple:
Conservative treatment. Remove what’s damaged, preserve what’s healthy. A filling when a filling will work; a crown when it won’t. No over-treatment.
Honest communication. If you don’t need treatment, we’ll say so. If you do, we’ll explain why and give you options. We don’t create urgency where none exists.
Whole-person care. Oral health affects systemic health. We screen for connections between what’s happening in your mouth and your overall well-being — links to diabetes, heart disease, sleep disorders, and more.
Prevention first. Regular exams, cleanings, fluoride, and sealants cost a fraction of what restorative work costs. We’d rather help you prevent problems than treat them.
Accessibility. We accept most insurance plans, offer a membership plan for uninsured patients, and provide CareCredit financing. We have bilingual staff and early morning plus Saturday hours. We want as few barriers as possible between you and the care you need.
Community
East Wind Dental Care didn’t just set up shop in Hillsboro — we’re part of it. Dr. O and our team volunteer at local health fairs providing free dental screenings and education. We’ve participated in school dental programs teaching children about oral hygiene. Dr. O has traveled on dental mission trips to provide care in underserved areas internationally.
We’ve been here since 2006, and we plan to be here for a long time. Our patients are our neighbors, and that relationship means something to us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you accepting new patients?
Yes. We welcome new patients of all ages, from toddlers to seniors. Call (503) 614-0198 or book online to schedule your first visit.
What should I bring to my first appointment?
Photo ID, dental insurance card (if applicable), a list of current medications, and information about any medical conditions or allergies. If you have dental records or recent X-rays from a previous office, we can request those ahead of time.
Do you treat patients with dental anxiety?
Yes. Between Dr. O’s patient approach, our gentle team, and sedation dentistry options (nitrous oxide and oral sedation), we help anxious patients get the care they need comfortably. Tell us about your concerns when you call — we’ll take it from there.
What insurance do you accept?
We accept most major PPO dental insurance plans, including Delta Dental, Cigna, Aetna, MetLife, Guardian, and many others. Our team will verify your benefits and explain your coverage before treatment. See our insurance page for the full list.
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes. We offer CareCredit financing (including 0% interest promotions), in-house payment plans for larger cases, and our membership plan for patients without insurance. We accept HSA/FSA cards as well.
What languages does your staff speak?
English, Spanish, and Persian (Farsi). Dr. Ostovar speaks fluent Persian. Blanca (dental assistant) and Maria (office manager) are fluent in both English and Spanish, ensuring our multilingual community can communicate comfortably throughout their visit.
Schedule Your Visit
East Wind Dental Care is at 7546 NE Shaleen St, Hillsboro, OR 97124. Schedule your visit or call us at (503) 614-0198.
Hours: Monday/Wednesday/Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Tuesday 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM | Thursday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM | Saturday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (by appointment only) | Sunday Closed
We serve patients from Hillsboro, Beaverton, Aloha, Tanasbourne, Orenco Station, Cornelius, Forest Grove, Rock Creek, Reedville, and the Amberglen area. Patients near Kaiser Westside Medical Center and Hillsboro Stadium are just a short drive away. If you’re looking for a new dental home or have been with us for years, we’re glad you’re here. Learn more about why patients choose East Wind Dental Care.
From Our Dental Library
Multilingual Practice
Dr. Ostovar is fluent in Farsi (Persian), and our team includes Spanish-speaking staff members who provide complete dental appointments in Spanish. In a community as diverse as Hillsboro — where over 30% of the population is Hispanic or Latino — language access is a fundamental part of quality care.
View Our Work
Visit our smile gallery to see before-and-after transformations from real East Wind patients.
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Our Dental Providers
East Wind Dental Care is a multi-provider practice, meaning you benefit from the diverse expertise of three experienced dentists working collaboratively under one roof:
Dr. Merat Ostovar, DMD, FAGD — Founder & Lead Dentist
Dr. Ostovar founded East Wind Dental Care in 2006 and has placed over 2,500 dental implants in his career. He holds the Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD) — a credential earned by fewer than 7% of practicing dentists. He specializes in dental implants, All-on-4 full-arch restorations, CEREC same-day crowns, Invisalign, cosmetic dentistry, and all aspects of general and family care. Dr. Ostovar speaks English and Farsi (Persian).
Dr. Jovan Gvozden, DMD
Dr. Gvozden graduated from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and holds advanced specialization in oral and maxillofacial surgery from the University of Sarajevo and Belgrade. With over 30 years of clinical experience spanning Europe and the United States — including work at OHSU’s Oral Surgery department and the VA hospital — Dr. Gvozden brings exceptional surgical expertise to complex extractions, implant dentistry, and oral surgery procedures. He speaks English and Bosnian/Serbian/Croatian.
Dr. Derek Youngblood, DMD
Dr. Youngblood is a graduate of Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) School of Dentistry, Oregon’s premier dental training institution. He provides comprehensive general and family dentistry with a focus on preventive care, conservative treatment, and patient education. Dr. Youngblood’s evidence-based approach emphasizes early detection and minimal intervention, keeping patients healthy through routine preventive care before problems become complex.
Learn more about Dr. Ostovar's background and credentials →
For Referring Dentists
We accept referrals for implant placement, oral surgery, and complex restorative cases. Referring Dentist Information →
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