Meet Our Dentists
Otto Hanssen, DDS
Dr. Otto Hanssen was born and raised in Bellingham, WA. He undertook his undergraduate studies at Western Washington University with an emphasis in Chemistry.
Dr. Hanssen then studied and received his Dental Degree from the University of Washington in 1979.
After a long dental practice partnership, he founded Covington Family Dentistry See our homepagein 1994.
Dr. Hanssen is active in most areas of general dentistry with a concentration on more complex reconstructive cases. He provides the same level of attention and comfort to every patient!
What do you do outside of the office?
I enjoy spending time with my lovely wife of more than 30 years, and our three grown children. We like traveling to warmer climates and boating in the Puget Sound’s San Juan Islands.
Memberships/Awards
Laura Liutkiene, DDS
Dr. Laura Liutkiene was born in Lithuania, where she attended dental school. After practicing in Lithuania for three years, Dr. Laura moved to the U.S. to attend Loma Linda University and earn her U.S. Dental Degree.
She has been practicing dentistry for more than 15 years and has been voted as a Top Seattle DentistOpens a new window to the awards website for FIVE consecutive years!
Why Did You Choose Dentistry?
I started thinking about dentistry while attending middle school in Lithuania. I graduated from a four-year art school, so I was thinking about doing something in the art world but had some dental influence around me.
I was amazed by my mom’s friend, who had a dental chair in her house and was treating patients. It was such an amazing feeling when you come in with pain (the only time we visited the dentist), and she could take care of it!
After she had treated me, I decided to combine my love of art and desire to help people by pursuing a career in dentistry.
What is the best part of your job?
I enjoy helping people, not only to get out of pain but also to make their smile beautiful.
What do you do outside of the office?
I love spending time with my family and friends. I also like to travel, hike, and play tennis.
Memberships/Awards
I have been coming here for 24 years. It's the personalized and friendly service that keeps me coming back. When my son was one-year-old, I brought him in with me, and now he is 15-years-old, and we go together every time. We actually have fun going to the dentist!
Bonnie S. (Covington Patient)
Laura Burgett, DMD
Dr. Laura Burgett was born and raised in a small midwestern town in rural Illinois. Following dental school, she moved to Seattle to pursue advanced training through a General Practice Residency at Swedish Medical Center.
During her residency, she focused on the comprehensive treatment of patients with complex medical conditions, special needs, and dental phobias. She also obtained advanced training in oral surgery procedures, such as third molar extractions. She joined the Covington Family DentistryLearn more about our dentists on the homepage team in 2017.
Why Did You Choose Dentistry?
I always had an interest in the health sciences, but it was my experience shadowing my childhood dentist and working as a chairside dental assistant that ignited my passion for dentistry.
I also chose dentistry because I can use my knowledge and skills to help patients overcome their insecurities, relieve their pain, and educate them on their health.
What is the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is interacting with my patients. I treat my patients like family and take pride in delivering high-quality care. I enjoy helping people, not only to get out of pain but also to make their smile beautiful.
What do you do outside of the office?
I enjoy exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest via mountaineering, backpacking, and scuba diving.
Memberships/Awards
Van Reid, DDS
Although Dr. Van Reid was not born in Texas, she lived there for more than 23 years and is a Texan at heart.
Dr. Reid is one of four children to two loving parents. She’s married to her husband, Michael, and, together, they love to hike, fish, and be outdoors. This was the main push for them to move to Washington in August 2019.
Dr. Reid spent two years as a dental assistant before becoming a general dentist. She enjoys spending time giving back to the local and international communities. She has participated in two dental mission trips to Guatemala and was a dental provider with the Texas Mission of MercyOpens a new window to the Mission of Mercy site.
Why Did You Choose Dentistry?
I have been interested in dentistry since I was just 14-years-old.
It was my personal experience that led me to want to become a dentist. I had braces for three-and-a-half years, which changed my life. After being self-conscious about my smile for so many years, my braces treatment made me feel more confident and outgoing.
My orthodontist was the nicest man, and he made me see how much good can from changing someone’s smile. This led me to start my journey to becoming a dentist.
What is the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is seeing how comfortable someone can be in the dental chair after initially being so afraid of coming to the dentist.
The majority of my patients have had some form of bad experience with their last dental providers, so I strive to make each patient more comfortable with dentistry. Having a phobia should not prevent a patient from getting the smile they want and deserve.
What do you do outside of the office?
In my spare time, I enjoy reading, hiking, fishing, and spending time with my family. I also love to explore the Washington area.
Memberships/Awards
- American Dental AssociationOpens a new window to ADA website
- Washington State Dental AssociationOpens a new window to WSDA website
- Seattle-King County Dental SocietyOpens a new window to the official website
- Academy of General DentistryOpens a new window to the AGD website
- Academy of Dentistry International Student Servant Leadership AwardOpens a new window to the website