Arlington, TX—Prominently featured in The Inner Circle , Valerie Osaka Tambashe Mukanga, DDS is acknowledged as a Pinnacle Life Member for her contributions to the field of Dentistry.
Dr. Mukanga pursued higher education at Tulane University where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Cellular and Molecular Biology. She then attended the University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center in Memphis where she earned a Doctor of Dental Science and completed a residency in general practice at Bronx Lebanon Hospital in New York.
The doctor explained that dentistry, also known as Dental and Oral Medicine, is a branch of medicine that consists of the study, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases, disorders, and conditions of the oral cavity. Dentists, like Dr. Mukanga, diagnose and treat dental issues and help patients develop better oral hygiene regimens. They clean teeth, correct bite issues, perform surgeries and extractions, and perform other duties to ensure that the teeth and mouth are healthy. Dr. Mukanga is a general dentist, providing treatment for children to adults. She focuses on cleanings, fillings, crowns and bridges, root canals, and orthodontics. She and her staff strive to make people comfortable and reduce the anxiety associated with some office visits.
Born in Brussels, Belgium, and raised in Africa, Dr. Mukanga asserts that she grew up with a deep understanding of the importance of dental hygiene and there considers dentistry her mission. While she has spent most of her life in the United States, she explained that she encountered dental disparities herself, in her family, and in her community, and in fact, lost one of her uncles due to a dental infection. That, along with the fact that dental diseases cause pain and low self-esteem, is one of the reasons why she is determined to fight against dental diseases and have a positive impact on people’s dental health.
An empathetic professional, Dr. Mukanga was one of the evacuees from Hurricane Katrina. During that tragic time, she said that various people from the DFW helped her back on her feet. Therefore, following the completion of her dental education, she purposely returned to the Dallas area to give back to the community that selflessly helped her during one of the toughest times of her life. In 2016, she established Healing Wings Inc., a nonprofit organization that was based in Dallas, intending to raise awareness about the importance of proper oral hygiene.
The doctor is affiliated with several industry-related organizations, including the Texas Dental Association; the American Dental Association; the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce; the Fort Worth District Dental Society; Sistahs in Dentistry; American Academy of General Dentistry; Christian Dental Association; the American Institute for Interdisciplinary Research which provides education projects and scholarships for the underserved; and Well Being For All which focuses on promoting education in the sciences and medicine for women.
In addition to her philanthropic activities, Dr. Mukanga has authored and participated in the publication of numerous dental articles. She is bilingual in English and French and has some working knowledge of Spanish. She explained that her belief is that language or culture differences are no barrier to people because a caring heart speaks louder than words.
The doctor notes that her mentors are Maurice Lewis, DDS, and Eric Mulumba Zozo, Ph.D. Looking to the future, she hopes to continue expanding her business and interests by traveling and participating in dental mission trips. She would like to thank her parents, Helene Dembo Tambashe, and Basile Tambashe, Ph.D. for all of their support.
For more information about Dr. Mukanga, please visit the website www.healingwingsdental.com.
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