Chun Zhou, DMD
Dr. Zhou was born and raised in China and moved to Seattle with her family as a teenager. She received her undergraduate and master’s degree from the University of Washington in Biochemistry and Environmental Toxicology, respectively. Dr. Zhou worked in Toxicology at Amgen for six years before pursuing her passion in dentistry. She earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine from Western University of Health Sciences in California and went on to complete an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at Unify Community Health in Spokane.
Dr. Zhou is dedicated to providing the best possible care and options for her patients and strives to educate them on the connection between oral and systemic health. Dr. Zhou says, “The best part of being a dentist is helping people. Being able to use the skills I’ve developed with my hands and seeing what I’m able to do clinically from start to finish with my treatment is very rewarding. I love giving my patients a healthy, beautiful smile!” Her goal is to work with her patients to help them achieve and maintain lifelong oral health and well-being. In her spare time, Dr. Zhou enjoys traveling, trying new food and spending time with friends and family.
Bahrum Mehr, DDS
I graduated from the University of Washington with Bachelor of Science degrees in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology. During my time as an undergraduate, I was involved in numerous extracurricular activities to satisfy both my philanthropic and academic interests.
After taking a year to continue my research at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Institute where my work focused on the earlier detection of oral cancer through genetic screening, I enrolled in the University of Washington School of Dentistry to complete my Doctor of Dental Surgery degree.
I don’t just work on mouths, I work on people, each with their own specific barriers to achieving exceptional oral health. My passion is in helping patients overcome those obstacles by listening to what their goals are, coming up with a clear treatment plan and then providing them with the high-quality care they deserve.
As someone fortunate enough to live in the Pacific Northwest I enjoy hiking, kayaking, jogging and whatever else I can do outdoors (weather permitting).
"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." - Aristotle
Arnell Prato, DDS
Dentistry is my passion. My number one goal as a Dentist is to help my patients maintain and improve their dental health. Each person is unique and has individual needs. That's why I take time to carefully listen to each of my patients and understand their immediate concerns. I always give my patients treatment options that take into account their dental health, overall health and financial constraints. I take patient well-being very seriously.
I attended The Ohio State University for both my undergraduate education and dental school. I love learning about dentistry and will never stop finding new ways to provide my patients with the best care possible. As part of my continuing education, I have taken extensive coursework in implant dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, dental occlusion and bite analysis, oral surgery and pharmacology.
Earlier in my career, I practiced dentistry in Ohio, Louisiana and Canada. Before moving to Washington state, I served the dental needs of the aboriginal people of northern Canada, working in remote, under-served areas of the Arctic. My work there helped develop my "Down to Earth" philosophy, where reliable and long-lasting dental work is the primary goal.
I'm a native of the Philippines, and moved to the U.S. in 1984. I love living in Washington and enjoy all the outdoor activities our great state has to offer. When I'm not in the office, you can often find me kayaking, visiting farmers markets and exploring the beauty of Washington State. I also enjoy international travel and have visited more than 70 countries.
Diana Mills
Diana is the Office Manager of our Northeast Tacoma office. She started her dental career in pediatrics and over the years transitioned to general dentistry. Growing up, Diana had always wanted to be a Dental Hygienist but found her real passion was behind the scenes. From checking in new patients to helping patients achieve their dream smiles, Diana loves figuring out the most efficient and smooth process for her patients and staff.
Diana and her spouse have 2 children - a 3-year-old boy and a 5-year-old chocolate lab named Daisy. In their free time, they like to go camping and taking out their boat when Washington weather permits. Don’t tempt Diana with a good plate of tacos and a margarita.
Yadira Arreola
Yadira joined Down to Earth Dental in 2023 as an Assistant Manager. She is deeply passionate about ensuring each patient receives exceptional care and support. With 6 years of experience in the dental industry, Yadira she has a strong understanding of practice management, patient relations and clinical operations. She understands the importance of oral health and its impact on overall well-being.
In her free time, Yadira likes going on runs to keep her mind and body healthy. She enjoys spending time with her fiancé, her dog and keeping up on the latest beauty trends.
Mehak Nadeem
Mehak joined Down to Earth Dental in 2022 as a Dental Hygienist. She shows genuine care for each of her patients, helping them achieve and maintain healthy and beautiful smiles. Her gentle touch and attention to detail keep her patients coming back. Every once in a while, Mehak loves to slow down to enjoy the little moments life offers - as well as taking advantage of the spontaneous ones. She also enjoys traveling, especially to Hawaii.
Edlene
Edlene joined Down to Earth Dental as a Dental Hygienist in 2023. She is a dedicated and compassionate Hygienist with a strong commitment to every patient’s oral health. Edlene is passionate about educating patients on the importance of oral hygiene. She stays current on the latest advancements in dental technology and techniques. Edlene enjoys traveling, exploring exotic destinations and immersing herself in different cultures. She is known around the office for being a corgi enthusiast at heart.
Dana
Dana has been working in the dental field for the last 10 years and joined the Down to Earth Dental team in 2021 as a Patient Advocate. She loves dentistry and how each day brings something new. For her, meeting new people and creating genuine patient relationships continues to be her favorite part of her job. Dana is one of the first smiles you see when you visit and is diligent in making sure all her patients are well taken care of and that their experience is positive. She feels fortunate to work with such an amazing team who help and support one another. Dana loves that everyone wants the best for our patients and gives the best patient care. “It makes us a really great team!”
Away from the office, Dana loves to travel and shop. She enjoys nature walks with her dog Mila, decorating for events, cooking and entertaining guests. She also loves spending time with her family and being an aunt to her nieces and nephew. Outside of work, Dana stays busy being a nanny to the newest addition to her family, her twin nieces!
Lulelya Brown
Lulelya joined Down to Earth Dental as a Patient Advocate in 2024. She goes by the name Lee-ya. Lee-ya began her dental career in Alaska and fell in love with helping people get over their fear of dentistry. She chose Down to Earth Dental because she saw how much they truly care for patients. Lee-ya strives to make every patient feel like family. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her family, take long walks and driving. Lee-ya likes anime and manga.
Martha
Martha joined Down to Earth Dental in 2021 as a Sterilization Technician. Through hard work and determination, she finished training and now works as a Dental Assistant. Martha is fascinated by dentistry and loves the opportunity to help people achieve a healthier smile. She is also a licensed cosmetologist which allows her to express her passion for the world of beauty. When she is not working, Martha enjoys spending time with her two cats Stormi and Cassie. You can also find her out with friends, taking in a good movie and trying out new restaurants.
Irada Vilaysane
Irada was born in Oklahoma but raised in Tacoma. She attended Tacoma Dental Assistant School in 2020. Irada was a Dental Assistant for four years before joining Down to Earth Dental in 2024. She is fluent in Thai and Lao. She loves meeting new patients and enjoys getting to really know them. When Irada isn’t assisting with dental procedures, you can usually find her playing softball, on her paddle board at the lake or playing with her dog Enzo.
Lori Pierce
Lori is our Lead Patient Advocate and has been with Down to Earth Dental since its inception. Prior to this, she worked as a Dental Assistant. Her unique blend of clinical and front office experience gives her the ability to navigate insurance plans and help patients use their coverage effectively. At home, Lori has a husband and three children who she loves to spend all her time with!
