Dr. Phyllis Chen

Dr. Chen has practiced at Mission Terrace Dental since 2003, serving the multicultural Mission Terrace, Glen Park, Outer Mission, Bernal Heights, Noe Valley, & Excelsior communities with a neighborhood-oriented approach to dentistry.

Before moving to the Mission Terrace neighborhood, Dr. Chen provided dental care at Embarcadero 4 Dental. She studied dentistry at the University of Washington, and then completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at the University of California at San Francisco where she worked with medically complex patients at Oakland’s Highland Hospital. She has also volunteered her time providing care for migrant farm-workers in Eastern Washington as well as delivering dental care in Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, India, the West Indies,  and our own Bay Area’s underserved populations including San Mateo, San Francisco, and Oakland. While in dental school, she played in 2 bands, one as a bassist, and another as keyboardist as she does love music!  She also met her husband at UCSF where they both taught snowboarding in Tahoe. 

Before becoming a dentist, Dr. Chen studied Architecture at University of California Berkeley (Go Bears!) and graduated with an Honors degree – she applies her skills at combining aesthetic form and function in her dental work, on a much smaller scale.  Her interest in technology drives her to always learn about new ways to deliver modern dental care. Dr. Chen advocates for helping new professionals entering the field of dentistry, and Mission Terrace Dental sponsors externships from local schools.

Dr. Chen served on the board of advisors for Everett College and is the Staff Dentist for the overseas 1000 Smiles Project headed by the non-profit group, Great Shape.  For volunteer opportunities, please click here. She regularly attends international dental research conferences to stay ahead of trends in dentistry. She loves technology and has embraced 3D Scanning, Design, Milling, and 3D printing in the practice. She enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and relatives.  

She is also currently an active member of the American Dental Association (ADA), the California Dental Association (CDA), and the San Francisco Dental Society (SFDS).

Dr. Michael Nguyen

Dr. Nguyen joined Mission Terrace Dental in 2006 and specializes in compassionate, caring, worry-free dental care for dental patients in San Francisco. A native of Seattle, Dr. Nguyen holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from University of Washington and a doctorate in dentistry from Temple University in Philadelphia.

After graduation he practiced in Philadelphia for four years, first as chief dental resident at the Philadelphia V.A. Nursing Home, then in private practice in the suburbs. He moved to San Francisco in 2004 to be closer to his family, and in South San Francisco and as a general dentist on staff at San Mateo County’s CARE Clinic, a non-profit organization providing care to HIV-positive patients, before joining Mission Terrace Dental.

As a resident of San Francisco, Dr. Nguyen makes the most of living in this wonderful city: running in the Presidio or Golden Gate Park, or taking day rides on his Triumph Bonneville motorcycle to Napa County. He actively attends local art fairs and music events at Davies Symphony Hall. Dr. Nguyen is also involved in outreach programs for youth in San Francisco’s LBGT community.