Dentist Kyle Gill takes over practice of Bill Ciao

For more than 30 years, dentist Bill Ciao served the Sky Valley community, 20 of those years in Monroe and more than a decade in Sultan.

Now he is retiring, and has chosen Kyle Gill, a University of Washington graduate with extensive National Health Service Corps experience and a winning way with kids, to take over his practice.

“We have a similar philosophy,” said Gill, who began meeting with Ciao as early as May to discuss the transfer. “It’s about caring more for the patient than trying to make money. Patient relationships are really important to him.”

Ciao has cared for some of his patients for close to the entire 30 years he’s been in practice

“It’s like a dental office you think of from back in the day,” said Gill. “It’s part of the community, and you know families; people are not just in and out really quick.”

Gill got a taste for service as a youth, traveling to Mexico on missions to help build houses. Dentistry gave him something he could share with people in other countries, he thought.

But he decided to start in his own country first.

After graduating from the University of Washington’s highly rated dental program, he joined the National Health Services Corps, working with low income families. He stayed with the NHSC for four years, completing his service in September, just in time to take over his new practice, which he did Oct. 1.

One of Gill’s skills is treating kids. About 60 percent of his clients in the NHSC were children, and so much did he like pediatric dentistry that he considered making a specialty of it.

“But then they turn 18 and you send them out the door, and I like to work with the whole family,” said Gill.

He is an expert at putting children at ease. A lifelong magician who also does magic shows in schools, he often performs tricks for kids to amuse them and get them to relax. He tells stories, too; a favorite is one called “Hank the Pig,” and he gets kids laughing by getting the first letter of the names of teachers, siblings or pets and making wacky attempts to guess the whole name.

A lot of adults have significant anxiety about seeing a dentist, and Gill is good at helping with that, too. The office offers nitrous oxide, and Gill is careful to explain what the patient can expect and to make sure the patient is comfortable.

Patients also get the most modern of service, with digital x-rays and electronic record keeping. And Gill’s office takes most forms of insurance.

New patients are always welcome, and anyone with a dental emergency can go to Gill’s office, even if they are not already an established patient.

Other than the change of dentists and slight change of decor, little will change at the office, said Gill, who is retaining the same staff.

“I feel very blessed to have the staff there,” he said. “They are so wonderful.”

And the same philosophy of care will continue at the office.

“That’s what’s important,” said Gill. “Getting to know our patients and planning the best treatment for them.”

Kyle Gill’s office is located at 19853 U.S. 2, next to Strands in the Albertson’s Shopping Center. Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday, and 7 p.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday.

For more information, or to make an appointment, call (360) 794-9055.

 

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