I am switching dentists. That was not my intention when I asked Dr. Todd Beck to meet with me. I thought I was happy with my dentist, and that is only because I did not realize what I have been missing. Dr. Beck impressed me, not only with his credentials, but also with his warm, friendly demeanor.

Dr. Beck graduated from OHSU in 1994 and moved to Oklahoma City, practicing dentistry and teaching for almost six years. Oklahoma City is also where he came out, which he says was “a very liberating experience.” There he met new friends and started associating with other gay people. Beck states, “Dentistry is very conservative…and I was afraid that I would be closeted for my career. I decided that’s not who I am, and I made the decision to be out.” Beck admits he is fortunate to have never had any negative experiences being out. He and his partner, opera singer Jorge Garza, do not have any children, and they maintain homes in Portland and New York.

Beck, a solo General Practitioner, is trained to provide every service but orthodontics. He also refers out 95% of his pediatric clientele. Beck states that he loves kids but it is a highly specialized area.

Since he purchased the established practice almost ten years ago, he has doubled the clientele to 1500 active patients. Of that 1500, Beck estimates that 40 – 45% are members of the LGBTQI community. He is still accepting new patients and hopes to offer services to more LGBTQI people. He also plans to hire an associate practitioner to meet the demands of his growing practice.

Beck has an all female staff of three Registered Dental Hygienists, two Dental Assistants with Expanded Function Dental Assistant certifications, an office manager, and an accounts manager. Willie, a friendly Westy (they think he’s bi) serves as an office mascot. Five of his employees have been with him for over five years, a quality Beck says gives him a competitive edge. “People know they are going to be speaking with someone familiar when they call, and they appreciate that continuity. The relationship between doctor and patient is an intimate one.” In keeping with continuity, Dr. Beck has no plans to move from the Mt. Tabor neighborhood.

One of Dr. Beck’s mottos is “People before profit.” When he has a patient in the chair, he says that he considers the kind of treatment he would want for a family member. “I treat all my patients like they are family.” Beck believes treating patients with the utmost care is the foundation of his success. “All the gizmos and technology in the world would not make up for a lack of personal concern for patients.” However, the technology doesn’t hurt either. Beck recently invested in a new computer system, practice software system and digital radiography system. This will allow him to better diagnose and treat patients.

Dr. Beck is very proud to serve the LGBTQI community. “People feel more comfortable going to a gay doctor who understands their issues and concerns.” In the past, patients have gone to him with stories of being discriminated against. They know he accepts everyone and treats people with respect and dignity.

Helping one person in one chair at a time wasn’t enough for him, so Beck started as an Associate Professor at Oregon Health & Sciences University in 2000. After a leave of absence, he resumed his duties last year. He serves in the Department of Community Dentistry and the Department of Operative Dentistry, teaching classes once per week.

In addition, Dr. Beck is the chairman of the Dental Health and Well Being Committee of the Oregon Dental Association, and he serves on the Board of Directors for Multnomah, County Dental Society. Beck looks for opportunities to serve his community outside his practice as well.

Every year, Dr. Beck maintains a booth at pride, where he gives out oral hygiene kits, toothbrushes, t-shirts, information pamphlets, and certificates good for one complete oral exam and full set of x-rays. He also plays trumpet in the Rose City Symphonic Band (formerly Rose City Freedom Band).

Each year, Dr. Beck and his staff select one or two people from a patient pool and do an entire case at no charge. To qualify, the patient must demonstrate a legitimate need for a lot of dental work and be unable to afford all the needed services. Last year, one youth received around $10,000.00 in services at no charge to him. Beck says they are very selective about whom to help and this article is the first time he has made this known to the public.

Dr. Beck also serves on Medical Teams International, volunteering on a mobile dental unit in North Portland and Clackamas. He provides dental services for people who cannot afford dentistry, taking out teeth and minimizing pain. He donates five to six hours, treating 15 to 20 people one Saturday each month.

Though not politically active, Dr. Beck donates to Human Rights Campaign. He says that he tries to make a difference by living a good life and treating people with respect.

“We strive to provide ever increasing quality dental care to our patients. We value the collaboration of all staff members in reaching our goals. We aim to achieve our goals within an atmosphere that respects the individual needs of our patients and staff.”

Dr. Beck’s mission statement is not a short paragraph that sits framed and ignored in a remote corner of his office. It’s a statement that is made continuously through the actions and care of Dr. Beck and his staff. With a fulfilled promise like that, who wouldn’t want to switch?

Visit Dr. Beck at Mt. Tabor Dental at 728 SE 60th Ave, Portland or call 503-236-1449 for an appointment. Visit Mt. Tabor Dental’s website