Sunshine Smiles

Welcome to Sunshine Smiles in Tucson, Arizona! At our practice, Dr. Patel is committed to delivering exceptional, comprehensive dental care for your entire family with a gentle approach. We proudly serve patients of all ages, from children to adults, ensuring everyone receives top-notch treatment in a welcoming environment.We prioritize staying at the forefront of dental technology, continually upgrading our tools and techniques to offer the best care possible while minimizing discomfort. Our skilled and experienced team is dedicated to creating a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere at our office. Dr. Patel and his team are honored to provide compassionate, high-quality dental care to the Tucson community.

Accepting New Patients!

Teeth Whitening

Teeth whitening is very effective and can produce great results in a short amount of time.

Full Mouth Rehabilitation

Full mouth rehabilitation is an umbrella term used to describe the process of rebuilding the smile.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are prosthetic teeth that are attached to your jawbone.

Frenectomy

A lip or tongue tie is a thin piece of skin that connects the tongue to the floor of the mouth.

Dental Veneers

Dental veneers are thin, tooth-shaped shells that are custom-made for your teeth.

Dental Cleaning

Professional cleanings, or “prophylaxis” are the cornerstone of good oral hygiene.

Dr Vijay Patel, DMD, FAGD

Dentist/Owner

Dr. Patel earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree from Oregon Health and Science University, School of Dentistry in June 2012. His journey in dentistry began with a strong academic foundation, having completed dual Bachelor’s degrees from The University of Arizona (Bear Down!) in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Religious Studies. This interdisciplinary education has provided him with a unique perspective and a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of dental science.Following dental school, Dr. Patel completed a one-year residency program in Advanced Education in General Dentistry at the Pascua Yaqui Dental Center. This residency allowed him to gain invaluable hands-on experience and refine his skills by working alongside some of the best dentists and specialists in Tucson. For the last 12 years, Dr. Patel has been serving as the Dental Director at MHC Healthcare, caring for the patient communities of Marana and NW Tucson. Here, he has provided a wide range of general dentistry services, including orthodontics, implant services, endodontics and oral surgery – all of which have been instrumental in advancing patient care within the community. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Patel has been an adjunct faculty member at Pima Community College since 2012, where he taught courses in local anesthetics, clinical hygiene, and pharmacology. His commitment to education and mentoring future dental professionals earned him a Fellowship Award in the Academy of General Dentistry in 2021.Dr. Patel, his wife Jane, and their two kids Parker and Penelope consider the Old Pueblo their forever home and are widely engaged in community events and philanthropic activities. His family enjoys great local food (and coffee!), along with outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and of course golfing! Please join us in welcoming Dr. Patel to our office!

Alicia

Alicia is our amazing dental assistant! She is a Tucson native and graduated from Pima Community College Dental Assisting Program in 2013. Alicia has been in dentistry for over 11 years, serving a variety of roles in academics and private practice. Her favorite part of dentistry is being a comfort for her patients and providing them the highest quality of care. Her dedication to dentistry is above and beyond, allowing her to connect with all our patients on their level.Her goal is to make her patients feel welcome and at ease while in our dental office. In her free time, she loves spending time with her amazing and supportive partner and two wonderful sons and step-children, having outdoor adventures in the beautiful Arizona landscapes. They particularly love camping and riding their jet skis on warm summer days.

Rose, RDH

Rose started her dental career as a dental assistant in her home town of San Manuel, AZ for Dr. Thomas Hendrickson Jr. She was trained to cover both the front and the back making her knowledgeable and experienced in the dental profession. After working 14 years with Dr. Hendrickson, Rose returned to school to study for her Dental Hygiene License. In 2012, Rose received her license from Pima Community College and has been practicing since at our office.Rose strives for clinical excellence which shows in the quality of her work and providing calm and comfortable visits for her patients. Rose enjoys building relationships with her patients and educating them on the importance of their overall oral health. Ongoing education is very important to Rose and she is always working to be at the forefront of dentistry’s proven best practices and procedures. Her prior assisting experience makes her an excellent clinical partner with Dr. Patel and the Sunshine Smiles Dental team.In her spare time, Rose enjoys spending time with her husband David and two sons, Anthony and Nicholas. Outside of the office you will find Rose in bleachers cheering on her son who plays sports at the high school level and the Arizona Wildcats football and baseball teams.

Taya, RDH

Taya was raised in Tucson, Arizona where she attended the University of Arizona and Pima Community College. She earned her Dental Hygiene degree in 2009 and has been practicing as a Hygienist for nearly 15 years. During that time, she has developed a trusting relationship with her patients while providing the highest quality of care possible. She is a member of the American Dental Hygiene Association and attends numerous continuing education courses to keep up to date with the latest developments in oral health care.When Taya is not at work, she enjoys spending time with family and her corgi, Maple. She is her sons #1 fan, and loves watching him play basketball, tennis, and run cross country. Her favorite hobbies include trying new restaurants and of course coffee shops!

Suzanna

Born and raised here in Tucson! She has been in the dental field for over 11 years, with experience in all dental specialties and general dentistry. Her love for problem solving and passion for helping others will show that she will go above and beyond to assist patients in making the best decisions for their dental needs. She is always available to help answer any questions regarding treatment, financial planning, or the complexities of dental insurance.Outside of the office you can find her with her two kids at the park for either baseball or football, or on the golf course. She is always happy to help. Consider her your personal concierge at Sunshine Smiles. She looks forward to meeting you!