Our Staff Dr. Martha Rich is committed to providing the highest quality dental services in a warm, safe, and nurturing environment. Every member of her staff has been carefully selected for their clinical excellence and compassionate chair side manner. It is our hope that you will always feel comfortable and well-taken care of at every single appointment you have in our office. However, if for any reason we may have missed an opportunity to make you as comfortable as possible during a given appointment, please do let Dr. Rich or a staff member know as soon as possible. We will gladly work together with you to ensure that, to the best of our ability, the rest of your appointment and all future appointments are structured in a way that best supports you throughout your treatment.  Dr. Martha Rich, D.M.D.Dentist and Practice Owner
Upon entering into private practice shortly after graduation from OHSU in 1981, Dr. Rich began to recognize that her fundamental dental education did not offer enough information to adequately address the temporomandibular joint disorders, chronic headache pain, and malocclusion or ‘bad bites' that many of her patients suffered with. In order to help her patients heal from these disorders and prevent future damage, Dr. Rich began attending what would grow into hundreds of hours of continuing education courses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of TMJ disorders. Eventually she would earn her Mastership with the International College of Craniomandibular Orthopedics in 1996, and then a subsequent Fellowship with the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain in 2002. Now, with more than 30 years of clinical experience and original research on the subject of TMJ disorders and functional occlusion, Dr. Rich regularly lectures and presents her findings on the diagnostic relationships between muscle function, facial pain, and occlusion to dentists, orthodontists, and other medical professionals all around the United States and abroad. Teaching has long been a passion and a source of inspiration for Dr. Rich. From 1984 to 1991, she was an associate professor of Fixed Prosthodontics at the OHSU School of Dentistry. In addition to teaching in the laboratories and clinics, Dr. Rich also diagnosed and treated complicated occlusion cases for other faculty members and students, and taught occlusion courses. It was during her research and instruction on TMJ disorders and the science of occlusion (bites) that Dr. Rich also became interested in orthodontics and how the re-positioning of the bite could improve the function of the entire system. Thus began another course of several hundred additional hours of study in functional orthodontics for Dr. Rich. For more than 30 years now, Dr. Rich has offered functional and cosmetic orthodontic treatment to both children and adults using a neuromuscular approach designed to orthodontically realign the bite in order to support healthier muscle and joint development. She earned the title of Senior Certified Instructor from the International Association for Orthodontics and she is excited to facilitate the advancement of this knowledge among her peers. She recently taught a number of classes in functional orthodontics and airway development to dentists for the Oregon Academy of General Dentistry. The complex interrelationships between the different systems of the body have always fascinated Dr. Rich. Beyond the functional relationships between the jaw, facial muscles, and bite, Dr. Rich is also deeply interested in the effect of oral health on the overall health of the body, and has focused her practice around the concept of providing the highest quality dental care in support of whole body wellness. Sleep airway disorders and proper airway development in children are also of specific interest to Dr. Rich. She has been a member of the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine since 2002, and regularly works in conjunction with other physicians and sleep medicine practitioners in order to help patients with obstructive sleep apnea and other sleep airway disorders. Dr. Rich is a firm believer in cooperative healthcare, and has worked hard to create a network of general physicians, specialists, and alternative healthcare providers with whom she can partner in providing the most comprehensive care for her patients. Dr. Rich is also a graduate of the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies where she studied facial esthetics and the science of smile design. She is certified by the World Clinical Laser Institute in the use of a hard-tissue laser for laser-assisted dentistry, and she earned her Fellowship with the Academy of General Dentistry in 2006. In 2015, Dr. Rich was appointed to the Board of the Oregon Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Rich has been in private practice in downtown Portland, Oregon since 1981. She is married and enjoys a wide variety of outdoor activities including walking, gardening, biking, skiing, and hiking. She is an avid sports fan, attending as many of her grandchildren's games as her schedule allows. She also loves the performing arts, movies, and attending plays. She continues to read a great deal and vows to never stop learning.  Dr. Sam Wells, D.M.D.Associate Dentist
Dr. Wells had a lengthy career in dentistry prior to becoming a dentist. Growing up in Alaska as the son of an oral surgeon and a dental hygienist, he was exposed to the profession at a young age through social interactions with other dental professionals and visits to the office after school. His philosophy of being in service to others also began early, with participation in local community service projects through school, church, and Boy Scouts. In addition to local service, he has participated in service trips to Mexico and Guatemala, assisting in providing dental treatment and education to people who would not otherwise have access to dental care. Working in a number of dental offices during and after college gave Dr. Wells the opportunity to experience a variety of practice models. He worked with Dr. Rich for a year prior to attending dental school, further cementing his desire to join a private practice environment where he can provide comprehensive care. He appreciates the collaborative nature of a healthy team, and his leadership and grace are a natural fit for our practice. Dr. Wells’ passion for the science of dentistry, and his thirst for infinite learning, pair well with his desire to help people. He feels strongly that he is not just preventing or treating disease but partnering with people to elevate their health and well-being. He values the trust that is built over time and looks forward to long-term relationships with our patients. After moving to Arizona for dental school, Dr. Wells is thrilled to return to the Pacific NW. Aside from work, he and his wife, Charlotte, enjoy cooking, backpacking, traveling and exploring Portland’s many restaurants and local events.  Soheila Sabahi, R.D.H.Dental Hygienist
Soheila Sabahi moved to the United States in 1985 and received her Associate's degree in Dental Hygiene in 1989 from Clark College in Vancouver, Washington. She has worked with Dr. Rich since 1993, and continues to be a leader in the ongoing improvement and development of a comprehensive hygiene program designed to meet the individual needs of our patients. Soheila is passionate about all aspects of health, and she is particularly interested in the impact of a person's oral health on their overall health. By listening to her patients and understanding the unique circumstances of their health and lifestyle, Soheila helps people discover the most effective home-care tools and techniques to support an optimal level of oral health. Soheila is also deeply committed to learning and staying abreast of advances in technology and clinical theory. She has taken extensive coursework to expand her skills in general hygiene and periodontal treatment, including receiving certifications from the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies in Evolutionary Hygiene, and the World Clinical Laser Institute in Laser Periodontal Therapy. Throughout her years with the practice, Soheila has developed a clinical partnership with Dr. Rich that she treasures. She enjoys sharing her knowledge with other team members to support their growth and learning. In her free time, she also enjoys reading medical journals and biographies, traveling, spending time at the beach, attending family gatherings, cooking, dancing, and listening to a wide variety of music.  MargoOffice Manager and Treatment Facilitator Margo has worked in dentistry since 1988 and has been with Dr. Martha Rich since 1994. In addition to managing the business aspects of the practice, her wide range of experience and education allows her to assist Dr. Martha Rich in clinical procedures when needed. Much of her time, however, is devoted to her favorite part of dentistry; getting to know patients and learning about their concerns and goals for their health. She is an instrumental part of a patient's first experience in the practice, partnering with Dr. Martha Rich in helping people understand their current level of dental health and the options available to maintain or improve their health. Passionate about learning, Margo has completed extensive continuing education courses in the areas of communication and facilitation. Her skills in these areas lend themselves well to providing patients a warm and genuine experience, free of judgment or a pre-set agenda. She enjoys the long-term relationships that patients form in our practice, as well as celebrating the successful strides in health that patients make over time. She is also a leader and a mentor within the practice and often facilitates team meetings. In her free time, Margo enjoys travel, reading, exercise, and riding motorcycles with her husband and friends. She is devoted to her family, her two dogs, and giving back to the community through volunteer work.  JennyEFDA/EFODA Assistant Jenny's love of dentistry grew from having excellent dental experiences herself throughout her childhood. She completed her Expanded Functions Dental Assisting certification through Chemeketa Community College in Salem in 2012 and honed her skills in private practice as well as volunteering regularly at the Union Gospel dental clinic in Keizer. She enjoys the wide variety of procedures and opportunities to learn that are inherent in dentistry. Her passion is giving patients the most comfortable, efficient, compassionate care they can have in a dental office. Her move to Portland in 2016 supports her love of outdoor activity, exercise, and exploring her community. You can often find Jenny rooting for her favorite sports team, checking out the latest restaurants, and loving on any dog that crosses her path.  AnnetteEFDA Assistant Annette came to dentistry as a second career after spending years in marketing and advertising. She chose healthcare in response to her love of taking care of people. After working in a university dental clinic environment for 8 years, she enjoys getting quality time with patients to ensure they have a positive, comfortable experience in every appointment. Outside of work Annette enjoys exercise, riding motorcycles, gardening, and spending time with her family and friends. She is especially proud of her two grown sons, and thrilled to be part of the Dr. Martha Rich team. |
