About us
A dental home that feels like, well, home
Brightwell started in 2011 with one chair, one dentist and one big idea: going to the dentist shouldn’t be the worst part of your month.
I kept meeting patients who’d avoided the dentist for years because of one bad visit. So we built a practice around the opposite: patient, honest, a little bit fun. Turns out people come back.
Dr. Maya Okafor
Founder & General Dentist
- years in Highland
- 15
- patients & counting
- 9,800+
- Google rating
- 4.9★
- friendly faces
- 8
What we believe
Four promises we actually keep
Explain, then do
You’ll see what we see on screen and never be surprised by what happens in the chair.
No judgement, ever
Six months or sixteen years since your last visit, we’re just glad you came.
Prices up front
Written estimates with insurance applied, before any treatment starts.
Kids welcome everywhere
Play corner, sticker drawer and a dentist who speaks fluent toddler.
Meet the dentists
The people behind the smiles
Every dentist here chose Brightwell because they like people as much as teeth.
Dr. Maya Okafor
Founder & General Dentist
DDS, University of Colorado
Maya opened Brightwell in 2011 after years of watching nervous patients avoid care. She still sees patients four days a week and leads our comfort-first approach.
Has run 6 marathons, all in dinosaur socks
Dr. Sam Patel
Implants & Oral Surgery
DMD, Tufts University
Sam places and restores implants using 3D-guided surgery, and handles most of our emergency visits. Patients say he explains things like a favourite science teacher.
Makes a mean green chile (ask him)
Dr. Elena Ruiz
Cosmetic Dentistry & Invisalign
DDS, UCLA · Invisalign Platinum
Elena focuses on Invisalign, veneers and smile design. She’s a Platinum Invisalign provider and believes the best cosmetic work is the kind nobody notices.
Speaks Spanish, Portuguese and fluent toddler
Dr. Raj Mehta
Pediatric Dentist
DDS, MS Pediatric Dentistry, NYU
Raj is our board-certified pediatric dentist. He sees kids from first tooth to teens, and has perfected the art of the tickly toothbrush.
Knows every Bluey episode by heart
And the crew who make it all run
Jasmine Lee
Lead Hygienist
Gentlest hands in Denver (it’s in the reviews)
Carlos Vega
Dental Hygienist
Curates the ceiling-TV playlist
Hannah Brooks
Patient Coordinator
Can decode any insurance plan in 5 minutes
Omar Haddad
Dental Assistant
Official sticker-drawer guardian
The Tooth Fairy Fund
Every year we offer free cleanings, sealants and toothbrush kits to 200+ kids from Denver schools, funded by a little piece of every Smile Club membership.
1,400 kids since 2017
Come meet us in person.
Book online in about a minute. Most new patients are seen within a week, and emergencies the same day.
Kids’ first visit free!