Meet The Doctors

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Dr. Mark W. Stagis

Dr. Mark Stagis was born and raised in Fresno, CA.He grew up on a family farm near Easton and attended Washington Union High School.Here he was involved in band and sports, playing baseball and football. He also enjoyed the academics and student government. He grew up learning what hard work means, as he helped his father on their family operated ranch. From High School he attended both Fresno City College and Calif. State University Fresno from which he graduated in 1976 as a Magna Cum Laude.

Continuing in his studies at UCLA, Dr. Stagis graduated from the UCLA SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY in 1980. For the past 30 years Dr. Stagis has maintained his cosmetic and general family dental practice in Fresno. Dr. Stagis and his wife Sue met while attending California State University Fresno. They have been married for 33 years, and have two grown sons, Joel and Scott.

Looking to the future, Dr. Stagis is extremely excited about where new technology is taking his practice of restorative dentistry. From lasers to CEREC 3D, to one appointment porcelain veneers and one appointment quadrant ceramic restorations it has never been more enjoyable for Dr. Stagis to see his patients appreciation for high tech dentistry.

In our office our Dental Team has now been together for a combined 110 years of caring, comprehensvie service. Using modern technology, we are focused on providing services that improve the dental, general physical health and appearance of our patients.

Today we know there is a scientific proven link between periodontal disease and increased risk of heart attack, stroke, diabetes, problem pregnancies and cancer. In a recent study conducted by Aetna and Columbia University College of Dental Medicine it was demonstrated that proper periodontal care can not only result in reducing these health risks but even lower overall medical costs. This makes good sense and our team members stress prevention and health. You may not be ready for major dental treatment at this time in your life but hygiene and prevention is a priority.

Our Team members take the approach that your mouth is the most useful part of your body. With your mouth you smile, talk, breathe, greet, communicate and show intimacy. Bottom line, the story of the mouth is that you may eat and drink to nourish your body 6 times a day on average and smile and communicate all day long! We believe modern dentistry can provide care to keep your mouth healthy until the day you die. Keep in mind unless you don't eat, smile or communicate you need to invest in you mouth until the day you die! Life long needs for ideal dental health is a given for all of us and constant wear and tear occurs because we use our mouth all the time. Just like a car needs major service and oil changed from time to time - you need comprehensive dental care too. With this in mind, at the Fresno Smile Center we are passionate about your health and take pride in working to provide the best care that modern dentistry has to offer.

When you are ready for major dental procedures we have the technology to minimize the number of required appointments for your convenience and comfort. For the typical crown, onlay or veneer our patients at the Fresno Smile Center can experience getting anesthesia once, no temporary, no second appointment, and the latest cad-cam computer generated dentistry provided by Cerec Technology. Patients find this comfortable and convenient. The typical crown appointment is about one hour - complete. Using this modern Cerec Technology we also can create incredible esthetic results - see our patient Smile Gallery and Patient Perspectives (for our patients' smiles and stories). These services can improve our patients' dental and general physical health and make them feel better. Many of our patients who have received cosmetic care have reported an improved sense of self esteem, confidence and self worth because they are now proud of their appearance and want to smile! According to many of our patients this can be a truly life changing experience. This can lead to significant psychological and mental benefits. At the Fresno Smile Center we are passionate about the services that we provide that can improve patients dental and general physical health and make them feel better about themselves.

Modern technology also allows us to communicate with our patients at the highest level. Text messaging, sample surveys and e-mail appointment reminders are a convenience that our patients appreciate.

Digital photography also allows our patients the opportunity for co-discovery of their condition of oral health. This allows a comprehensive base line record and outcome evaluation. (Please see our Smile Gallery) It encourages questions and can be a real eye opener when a patient is not aware that "I look like that?" or "Is that really me?"

The service, benefits, value and relationships our patients have formed with the members of our dental team have resulted in that about 95% of our new patients are sent by invitation from their friends and family as well as professional referral by other health care providers. Everybody needs a dentist and it is the highest compliment when a referral is made through invitation. The caring staff at the Fresno Smile Center want you to know we have a place for you too in our practice and I want to extend a sincere invitation to you and your family also.

Best regards, Dr. Mark Stagis

Dr. Nathan E. Vick

Dr. Nathan Vick was born in Fresno, California and grew up in the small farming town of Caruthers. He attended Caruthers High School where he played basketball and tennis and graduated as the class valedictorian. Dr. Vick grew up working during the summers on his father’s farm where he learned the importance of hard work. After high school he spent four years studying at the University of California, Davis, where he received a Bachelors of Science Degree in Biochemistry.

Dr. Vick continued his education at the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco, one of the top dental schools in the country. While in San Francisco, Dr. Vick perfected his clinical skills by working in UOP’s state-of-the-art clinic.Here he was privileged to treat many patients from the bay area.

Since returning to Fresno, Dr. Vick is a member of the ADA, CDA, Fresno Madera Dental Society, The Synergy Implant Training Program and The Central Valley Dental Forum. Dr. Vick has also attended numerous courses to further his training in the CEREC 3D technology and is always looking for technology that will allow the team to provide the highest level of care to their patients. He is certified in Invisalign Orthodontic Systems and enjoys being able to provide that as an option for patients. Dr. Vick takes joy in providing care for the younger patients of the community and recently volunteered to do screenings for kindergarten students in the Fresno area.

On a personal note, in June 2006, Dr. Vick married his college sweetheart, Christie Geisler, who is currently teaching kindergarten at Dailey Elementary. They are both looking forward to their futures here in Fresno. Dr. Vick looks forward to spending the rest of his career as a general partner with Dr. Stagis and treating the wonderful people of the Central Valley.

Dr. Christopher R. Gates

Dr. Gates grew up in Fresno, graduating at the top of the Bullard high school class of 2000. He spent many weekends and summers working at his father’s vineyard in Madera where he learned many skills and values which can even be applied to dentistry.

After high school, Dr. Gates then attended the University of California, Berkeley, graduating in 2004 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Molecular and Cell Biology. While studying at Berkeley, he did research in a plant genetics laboratory, working to better understand the genetics of cereal crops such as wheat and barley.

After graduating from Berkeley, Dr. Gates spent about two years gaining knowledge about the dental profession and working as a dental assistant in Fresno. He matriculated into dental school in 2006 at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Dental Medicine and graduated in 2010 with a DMD degree. Dr. Gates is a member of the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association, and the Fresno-Madera Dental Society.

In his spare time, he enjoys many outdoor activities, particularly cycling and running, as well as hiking in Yosemite National Park. Dr. Gates also occasionally volunteers as a canoe guide, leading groups down the San Joaquin River.

Dr. Gates and his entire family have been long time patients of Dr. Stagis, so it comes as no surprise that he has found a home to practice his profession here with Dr. Stagis, Dr. Vick, and the rest of the dental team. Dr Gates is excited to finally be back home in Fresno and looks forward to a lifetime of practicing dentistry in the Central Valley.

The Mark W. Stagis D.D.S. and Nathan E. Vick D.D.S. Dental Group Team

Each member of our <<INSERT SPECIALTY>> and <<INSERT SPECIALTY>> dentistry team is hand-selected by Dr. and Nathan E. Vick based upon his or her credentials, chair-side demeanor, and passion for providing the very best in personalized dental care. From our front desk staff to our dental assistants and hygienists, every member of our Fresno dentistry team is dedicated to ensuring the total comfort and satisfaction of each of our patients. Whether patients visit Mark W. Stagis D.D.S. and Nathan E. Vick D.D.S. Dental Group in Fresno for a routine examination and cleaning, or for a more complex <<INSERT SPECIALTY>> dentistry session including such treatments as <<INSERT TREATMENT 1>> or <<INSERT TREATMENT 2>>, they can rest assured that they will receive the most thorough care available from our friendly and knowledgeable team.