Meet the Doctors

Dr. Joshua Papac

Dr. Joshua Papac was born and raised here in Washington State. He grew up in the small town of Montesano, WA on the Olympic Peninsula where he developed a love for the outdoors and everything the great northwest has to offer. He is a proud Husky, earning both his bachelor's degree and Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Washington in 2009.

Dr. Josh has attended countless hours of continuing education courses and is a member of the American Dental Association, the Washington State Dental Association, the Seattle-King County Dental Society, and the American Academy of Clear Aligners. Dr. Josh is highly trained in the latest technologies including modern aesthetic techniques, CAD/CAM dentistry, 3-D imaging, implant restoration, and comprehensive rehabilitation. He has also been invited to mentor multiple CEREC CAD/CAM events to help other doctors become familiar with the technology. Even with all of the exciting technology in the office Dr. Josh says the best part of his day is the interaction with his patients.

Dr. Josh met Dr. Lindsey in dental school and they married shortly after graduation. Together they have two boys. When they are not in the office you may find them skiing Crystal mountain, taking their two boys to Montana or watching the Husky and Seahawks football games.

Dr. Josh and Dr. Lindsey also have a passion for dental access to care issues. They are very involved with the Washington State Dental Association and speak with legislators in Olympia about these issues regularly. They have even visited Washington, DC to meet with federal legislators and senators. Dr. Josh and Dr. Lindsey were featured in the Washington State Dental Association News twice for their activism.

Dr. Lindsey Papac

Dr. Lindsey Papac has had a strong desire to help those in need since she was very young. A dental mission trip to Mexico solidified her decision to make a career out of dentistry. Following graduation from dental school in 2009, Dr. Lindsey spent seven years providing dental care in the greater Seattle area. In November 2016, she joined her husband at Great Northwest Dental and together they are excited to serve the Auburn and Lake Tapps community.

Dr. Lindsey has found a passion in correcting malocclusion with the use of clear aligners. She has been a Board Member of the American Academy of Clear Aligners (AACA) since 2018. As a Board Member, much of her expertise is used to train and guide other general practitioners in Invisalign® and other forms of clear aligner therapy. She also leads a local Invisalign® Study Group.

Dr. Lindsey is committed to continuing education and takes many advanced courses each year to enhance her skills to better serve the dental care needs of her patients and provide them with a gentle and comfortable dental experience. She specializes in digital dentistry and has been using CAD/CAM technology since 2009. She has countless hours of experience with both CEREC and iTero digital scanners.

Dr Lindsey's Invisalign® Credential list:

Diamond Top 1% Invisalign Provider
American Academy of Clear Aligners (AACA) Fellow
AACA Board Member 2018-Present
AACA Seattle Invisalign Study Club Chair
AACA Invisalign Presenter, Lecturer, and Mentor
Inaugural class graduate of Invisalign Diamond Club
One of the Top General Practice Invisalign Providers in the US
Advanced Invisalign training in the US and Costa Rica Invisalign training center
International Invisalign Consultant for General Dentists
Invisalign Reingage Award Winner
Galler Cup Invisalign Award Winner 2018
Top Google Rated Dentist in Auburn, WA
5 Star rating on Google

Dr. Portia Cao

Dr. Portia Cao, originally from Salt Lake City, UT, embarked on her educational journey in Seattle. She pursued a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry at the University of Washington (Go Dawgs!) before transferring to Regis University in Denver, CO. At Regis, she delved into dental research and obtained a master's degree in biomedical science. Driven by her passion for dentistry, she returned to the University of Washington to earn her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree.

To further enhance her dental expertise, Dr. Cao sought additional training at the University of Utah Hospital in her home state, where she completed a General Practice Residency. During this residency program, she honed her skills in interprofessional care, collaborating closely with other dental professionals. Her dedication extended to treating patients from diverse backgrounds, including those with trauma, special needs, and complex medical histories. Dr. Cao's experience and proficiency in these areas became evident during her time in the residency program.

Dr. Portia is driven by her passion for patient-centric comprehensive care, evidence-based dentistry, advocacy, and outreach within the dental field. Above all, she treasures honest communication and consistently goes the extra mile to ensure her patients receive exceptional care.

When she's not working in the office, Dr. Portia indulges in a plethora of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, and skiing. Additionally, she possesses a deep appreciation for all things food-related and eagerly welcomes any recommendations for delicious dining experiences.

Dr. Amanda Cronkhite

Dr. Amanda Cronkhite was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada (eh)! She earned her bachelor’s degree from Queen’s University in Ontario and her dental degree from Temple University in Philadelphia. She recently completed a General Practice Residency year at the University of Utah Hospital with Dr. Portia where they gained comprehensive knowledge and skill on a wide range of advanced procedures as well as how to treat medically complex patients.

Having a mother who is a dentist, many dinner-time conversations revolved around oral health. What Dr. Amanda enjoys most about the profession is the daily interaction with patients and the ability to provide pain relief, restore function, and help reach aesthetic goals. Her focus and approach to treatment includes preventative intervention and patient care and comfort.

She is experienced and enjoys all aspects of dentistry. Being a believer in life-long learning, she plans to further her education in full rehabilitation crown and bridge work, implantology, and Invisalign.

Outside of the clinic she enjoys the outdoors – hiking in the summer, skiing in the winter. She also commits her time to running, drawing, and has more recently begun learning guitar. She values time spent with family and friends and her diverse background of Japanese and British heritage.

Dr. Luke Shaner

Dr. Luke Shaner grew up in Bonney Lake, Washington. He pursued his undergraduate studies at Seattle Pacific University before earning his DMD from the University of New England, where he was recognized as a top clinical doctor.

Dr. Luke is dedicated to serving his patients as unique individuals, addressing their concerns with care and compassion. He believes in a personalized approach, ensuring that each patient feels involved and confident in achieving their dream smile. His expertise spans all areas of dentistry, with a special interest in cosmetic dentistry, implants, and fixed prosthodontics. Dr. Luke is committed to transforming smiles, achieving patient-centered goals, and providing the most comfortable experience possible for every patient he serves.

Now residing in Gig Harbor, Dr. Luke lives with his wife, Baylee, an emergency physician in Tacoma, along with their two cats, Bjorn and Bodie, and their German Shepard, Jocko. Outside of their professional lives, they are actively involved in their church and enjoy spending time together walking, hiking, golfing, exploring new restaurants, and hosting game nights with their friends.