Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Thu Trinh.
Hi Dr. Thu, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Rise Dental began after spending years practicing in high-volume clinical settings where the pace of care often left little room for prevention, education, or meaningful connection. Over time, it became clear that many patients weren’t lacking motivation—they were lacking time, clarity, and support.
We wanted to build a practice that addressed that gap. One designed around longer visits, conservative treatment planning, and conversations about risk factors and habits—not just procedures. Opening Rise Dental was an intentional decision to practice independently and create a calmer, more thoughtful model of care.
Today, Rise reflects that original intention. We work with patients who value understanding their health and taking a proactive, realistic approach to maintaining it long-term. The practice continues to evolve, but the foundation remains the same: clarity, prevention, and care built around people—not volume.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It hasn’t been entirely smooth, but the obstacles were less about surprise and more about commitment.
Opening an independent practice with a prevention-first philosophy meant resisting the pressure to grow quickly or operate on volume. Financially and operationally, that requires discipline. You have to be very clear about your priorities and willing to build momentum gradually.
There was also the challenge of re-educating patients. Many people come in expecting dentistry to be fast and transactional. Shifting that mindset—helping patients see the value in understanding their health and making informed decisions—takes time and consistency.
Ultimately, those challenges became strengths. They shaped the culture of the practice and helped us attract patients who are genuinely invested in long-term health, which is exactly what we set out to do.
As you know, we’re big fans of Rise Dental Modern Wellness. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Rise Dental is an independent, doctor-owned dental practice built around prevention-first, relationship-based care. The practice was created as an alternative to volume-driven dentistry, with a focus on clarity, conservative treatment planning, and long-term health.
What sets Rise apart is how decisions are made. Care is guided by risk reduction, thoughtful material selection, and realistic treatment pacing rather than production targets. Patients are supported in understanding the causes of disease and making informed choices they can maintain over time.
Rise is known for its grounded, whole-health approach—integrating inflammation, habits, and lifestyle considerations into dental care without relying on trends or gimmicks. The environment is intentionally calm and transparent, designed to support trust and continuity of care.
Brand-wise, we’re most proud of our restraint. Rise is not built around doing more dentistry, but around doing dentistry thoughtfully—helping patients avoid unnecessary intervention and feel confident in their decisions.
What we want readers to know is that Rise exists to bring clarity back to dentistry through independent, prevention-first care that respects both patients and providers.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
A few resources that have shaped how I think about my work, leadership, and life more broadly:
Atomic Habits – This reinforced my belief that real change happens through small, consistent choices. It’s influenced how I approach health, prevention, and helping people make changes that are actually sustainable.
Brave Parenting – This book grounded me in the idea that values are taught through presence and example. It’s shaped how I think about patience, responsibility, and creating environments where people feel supported rather than controlled.
The Tipping Point – It helped me understand that meaningful shifts—whether in health, habits, or culture—rarely happen all at once. Change builds quietly, often long before it’s visible.
Quiet – This resonated deeply with me. It affirmed that leadership doesn’t have to be loud to be effective, and that thoughtfulness, listening, and restraint can be powerful strengths.
Together, these have reinforced how I try to show up: intentionally, calmly, and with respect for the long game—both in my work and in life.
Pricing:
- Rise Dental operates independently of insurance networks but assists patients by filing claims for reimbursement when applicable.
- The practice offers a membership option for patients without traditional dental insurance, designed to support preventive care and predictable costs.
- Flexible financing options are available to help patients manage larger or phased treatment plans responsibly.
- Treatment and pricing are customized to each patient and are recommended following an in-office evaluation.
- Rise Dental currently offers a $249 New Patient Experience, which includes a comprehensive exam, diagnostics, and a professional cleaning when appropriate.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.risesmiles.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/risesmiles
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/risesmiles2
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/risesmiles/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/rise-dental-cedar-park?osq=Rise+Dental
Image Credits
Rise Dental
