Dr. Michelle Stafford founded World of Smiles, Pediatric Dentistry in August 2008. After graduating University of the Pacific: Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, Dr. Stafford chose the pediatric dental specialty because she believes that every child deserves to have a positive experience going to the dentist.

She completed an additional two years of training after dental school in an accredited pediatric residency program to become a pediatric dental specialist. Throughout this two year program she cared for children of all ages and especially children with special needs such as: autism, cerebral palsy and cleft lip/palate.

Dr. Stafford is also very passionate about tongue and lip ties. After experiencing the effects of a severe tongue tie with her first baby, she was unhappy with the traditional treatment options, so she sought more education on the issue to be able to offer the laser procedure to release tongue and lip ties in office to promote breast-feeding as well as treat speech and developmental issues that can arise.

Dr. Stafford enjoys hiking, crafty projects like sewing and scrap-booking and traveling the world as well as  exploring the Portland area with her family. With two boys in elementary school she volunteers regularly in their classrooms and loves watching them grow and talking about the world around us. She has incorporated her love of travel into World of Smiles. The office interior serves as a gallery for artwork and photography from around the world. In 2017, Dr. Stafford found that many of the children in her practice had become teenagers and so she expanded across the hall with an office focused on the needs of teenagers and the young at heart who need a little TLC at the dentist.

Dr. Stafford is thrilled to introduce the Mixed Dentition Podcast where she talks with people from the community not just about dentistry, but also a broad range of topics that can help families including breastfeeding, nutrition, movement and posture, childcare, and so much more!