Dr Cynthia Copeland

Background

A native of Idaho, Dr. Cynthia Copeland grew up dismantling objects in order to discover why they worked. As a youth, she attended Carnegie Mellon University on a gifted young artists scholarship. Splitting her interests in arts and science, dentistry became her choice of postgraduate study.

Dr. Copeland went on to receive her Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Colorado and, in 1994, her Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Washington.

Education & Credentials

Dr. Copeland is accredited with the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (AIAOMT) and serves as a referral source for the Institute of Functional Medicine.

Her formal education includes:

  • Bachelor of Science in Biology at the University of Colorado
  • Doctor of Dental Surgery ’94 at the University of Washington, Seattle
  • Residency at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul
  • Academy of Integrative Biological Dentistry
  • Doctor of Naturopathic Medical Dentistry, New Jersey
  • Foundation for Advanced Continuing Education (FACE) for Gnathology and Occlusal Study
  • Advanced Ozone Therapy Certification
  • Institute of Functional Medicine, All Modules, Certification in Process
  • Conscious Sedation Certification

Dr. Copeland is dedicated to consistently exceeding continuing education requirements in Restorative and Prosthetic Dentistry. She has completed the most advanced Ozone courses in Medical Dental therapies and integrative therapies available to provide her patients with cutting-edge dental treatments. Dr. Copeland is also now a Certified Pinhole® Surgery Technique (PST) Clinician. She has responded to the frequent need of her patients for successful, biocompatible, and noninvasive treatment of receding gums by studying with Dr. Chao, the developer of PST. If you are one of the many patients who want gum restoration, whether for one tooth or several, Dr. Copeland is so excited to be able to offer this procedure to you.

“I’ve also had the opportunity to study with the late Dr. Hal Huggins, Dr. Phillip Mollica, and Dr. Robert Harris, in addition to immersing myself in the type of practice that satisfies my sense of life-affirming, do no damage, patient-driven, doctor-as-teacher sense of self.”

“There are wonderful like-minded practitioners to collaborate with…naturopaths, physicians, acupuncture/pressure, lymphatic, nutritional, neurological and toxicity specialists…who are all helpful to the dental patient seeking optimal health. I feel honored to work with them and utilize their expertise when working with my clients.”

Dental Philosophy

Dr. Copeland’s combined background in dentistry, naturopathy, and integrative biological dental medicine gives her a unique and extensive toolbox to diagnose and treat patients based on their individual needs for optimal long-term health. Her background allows her to use a whole-body approach to dentistry with every patient.

In response to how her dental practices have changed over time, Dr. Copeland replies, “Having a license to practice is, in reality, an obligation to continue to improve and evolve as a practitioner.”

She says, “Especially in medicine, often what is considered an absolute truth becomes obsolete as advances force us to re-evaluate our knowledge base and what actually helps our patients improve clinically.”

“I had long repeated traditional dental dictums but lost conviction for many after clinical experience. It was high time to evaluate and implement a knowledge of holistic care that the traditional dental curriculum does not offer. This allows me to look at the whole patient, treating their dental needs and positively affecting their overall health.”

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Dr. Copeland settled in Santa Barbara in 2004, where she now lives with her two lovely daughters, and a menagerie of animals. When she’s not caring for patients or studying the most advanced dental therapies, Dr. Copeland enjoys activities with her girls, painting, building, cooking, and reading classics.