Keeping smiles in Knoxville beautiful since 1982
Welcome to the office of Dr. McGowan, conveniently located in the heart of west Knoxville. We are a family dental practice that has been serving families in the Knoxville area since 1982.
Here, our team knows that your family’s dental health is not just about white smiles: it’s about having strong teeth and healthy gums. It’s about prolonging the simple joy of eating delicious things and having a beautiful smile! Our mission is to help our patients accomplish these goals in a painless, compassionate, and efficient way.
We aim to educate our patients of all ages in a safe and fun environment while offering them necessary comprehensive care. We understand that many people have anxiety about dental treatment, so we created a soothing environment and a scheduling system that never keeps you waiting long. By combining the latest technology with traditional techniques, we believe that we give our patients the best care in Knoxville.
Meet Our Team
Paul D. McGowan, Jr., D.D.S.
Dr. McGowan is originally from Florida but has resided in Tennessee since 1966. He is a graduate of Farragut High School, the University of Tennessee Knoxville, and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center College of Dentistry in Memphis. Upon graduation, Dr. McGowan spent a year as a General Practice resident at the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville. When he completed his residency, he began his private dental practice and has been practicing in Knoxville since 1982. In addition, he has worked part time for the Knox County Health Department Dental Clinic and has volunteered at Interfaith Dental Clinic. Dr. McGowan is a member of the American Dental Association, the Tennessee Dental Association, the Second District Dental Society, Southeastern Academy of Prosthodontics, and is a fellow in the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Dr. McGowan is a married to his wife, Jean, and has three grown sons. They attend church in Farragut. Dr. McGowan is an Eagle Scout and an avid outdoorsman. In his spare time, Dr. McGowan enjoys fishing, hiking, and going to the beach.
Leiya Cassady, RDA
Leiya began her dental career more than 20+ years ago as a highly trained Registered Dental Assistant. Her current role is to assist with a multitude of procedures and to read the mind of Dr. McGowan. She enjoys helping and making patients feel as comfortable as possible while working on their smiles. Our patients and staff enjoy her gentle and compassionate chair-side manner. She values quality time with her husband, Wes, her two children, and her two dogs, Buddy and Holly. In her spare time, Leiya enjoys being outdoors, listening to all genres of music, and reading a plethora of books.
" While working at Drs. McGowan’s, I have gained great friends and a second family. It has been a rewarding experience that I hope does not end for quite a while." - Leiya
Claudette Dentz, RDA
Claudette is a Registered Dental Assistant of 35 years and has been with Dr. McGowan that long as well! She has worked in the front office for several years, as well as working as an assistant in the back office. She loves the variety and capability of doing both front office work and dental assisting. She loves the feel of a family dental practice that serves all ages. She also loves her family of coworkers. Outside the office she has a growing family of her own. She is a mother of two wonderful children, a son-in-law and daughter-in-law, and two awesome grandchildren. As a newlywed herself, Claudette, has gained a wonderful husband and two amazing stepdaughters. She feels very blessed. She enjoys spending time with her family, loves her church, and enjoys going to the mountains and beaches.
"Dentistry is my passion as well as helping people with their teeth. After all of these years, it never gets old!" - Claudette
Julia Tobler
Julia is a Knoxville native and a University of Tennessee graduate with a degree in Business Administration. She enjoys welcoming patients to the office and assisting with scheduling appointments and filing insurance. Julia has two children. When she's not in Knoxville, she and her husband enjoy spending time at their home in Colorado.
"I love that we are a family practice because we get to see multiple generations of families. It's such a blessing to have long term relationships with our patients that have grown up with us and now bring their children, and even grand children to our practice." - Julia
Lea Hutchinson, RDH
Lea Hutchinson has been with Dr. McGowan for 22 years. She received an Associate Degree in Applied Science in 1990 and a Bachelors of Science degree in Health Education in 1992 from East Tennessee State University. She has 26 years of experience as a dental hygienist. Lea and her husband, Glen, have two teenage daughters. She enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, cooking, and spending her Saturdays at Neyland Stadium cheering on the Vols! She also loves her golden retriever, Rowdy.
"What I love most about my job is caring for my patients with the best care possible." - Lea
Christina Marcinko, RDH
Christina graduated Magna Cum Laude from Roane State Community College with an A.A.S. in Dental Hygiene Technology in 2007. Before becoming SADHA president and graduating at the top of her class, she was dental assistant with a passion for helping people overcome their fear. She prides herself on creating and maintaining lasting relationships and friendships with her patients through communication, trust and confidence. Her warm smile, understanding nature and great sense of humor make it easy for patients to feel at ease and comfortable. She is devoted to educating patients on their individual needs and highly skilled in periodontal therapy and soft-tissue management. She and her husband, Ivan, share a love of the outdoors and enjoy traveling, adventuring, learning about other cultures, and spending time with their Alaskan Malamute and Maine Coone, Epic and Roo, who much like their parents, have never met a stranger.
"I just really love what I do and who I get to do it with -- and we're saving the world one tooth at a time!" - Christina
Linda Foster
Linda Foster has been an RDA for over 40 years, where her primary focus has been oral surgery. She strives to make every patient feel at ease during their dental procedures.
When Linda isn’t working she enjoys gardening and bird watching. She is a proud mom to her son in college and Yorkie, Festus.
Now that you've met us, we would love to meet you!
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