Mark S. Austin
D.D.S.
Dr. Austin has been providing our community with exceptional service and dental care since opening his private practice in 2001. He grew up in Colorado and later moved to Idaho where he attended the University of Idaho and he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He then moved his family to Indiana where he attended Indiana University receiving his Doctorate of Dental Surgery in 2000.
Dr. Austin feels its important to stay on the cutting edge of dentistry and has completed numerous advanced courses in implant placement, full mouth reconstruction, ortho treatment and advanced prosthetics. He is also a part time Clinical Restorative Hygiene Instructor at Clark College.
Dr. Austin is currently a member of the American Dental Association, the Washington State Dental Association, the Clark County Dental Society, the Academy of Implantation and CDOCS.
Dr. Austin has been married to his wife, Melissa, since 1991. They have a daughter, Whitney, who is a hygienist at Austin Family Dentistry. Dr. Austin is also blessed with two grandchildren Avery and Jace.
Dr. Austin enjoys Golfing, Skiing, Kiteboarding and Foiling.
Thomas Backus
D.D.S.
Dr. Backus grew up in the Vancouver/Portland area, went to Clark college and WSU-Vancouver to obtain my bachelor’s in biology degree. Then, he completed dental school at UW school of dentistry in 2018 with 2 awards in touring/mentoring dental education. After four years of practicing in community health dentistry, he joined the team at Austin Family Dentistry in 2022.
Dental school and working at community health clinics taught Dr. Backus the knowledge alone in not enough to complete the procedures that are performed on the patients. Not only is precise knowledge of the procedures required, but coordination and, above all, a lot of patience.
He choose a career in dentistry for intellectual challenge, opportunities for service, and the chance to make a concrete difference in each patient’s life in a way that will positively impact their health and their self-esteem for years to come.
Hobbies include martial arts, cooking and on a small hikes.