Providing compassionate, gentle dentistry is the heart of our practice. By offering accessible insurance and financing options, we are able to lower barriers to superior dental care, which allows us to make real differences in our patients’ lives. Everything we do at Deep River Family Dental is with you in mind. We love to have fun with our patients and hope that we will be able to form lasting friendships as we help maintain your smile. We always provide honest, straightforward advice and strive to keep you informed every step of the way.
Dr. Kwon practices dentistry with a simple belief: Great dentistry should not need to be redone.
Over the years, he saw a pattern—patients coming in after years of patchwork dentistry, frustrated, confused, and unsure who to trust. The issue was rarely a single tooth; it was a lack of clarity in how the entire system was evaluated and treated. That realization led to the development of the Built to Last Protocol—a doctor-guided approach that restores the mouth to a stable, functional baseline before treatment begins.
Rather than fixing teeth one at a time, Dr. Kwon evaluates how everything works together: your bite, jaw joints, muscles, bone, gums, and existing dental work. This ensures care is thoughtful, conservative, and designed to hold up over time. This approach has made him a trusted resource for patients seeking more than routine care, especially those considering full-mouth rehabilitation or wanting a clear, long-term solution done right the first time.
Clinically, Dr. Kwon focuses on:
He holds a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Boston University and has advanced training in implant placement, bone grafting, PRF/CGF healing protocols, and full-arch therapy. This extensive background allows him to bridge function and aesthetics with precision and intention.
But what patients often remember most isn’t the technical side—it’s how he makes things feel. Dr. Kwon is known for taking the time to listen, explaining complex situations in a way that makes sense, and guiding patients without pressure. His goal is to replace uncertainty with clarity, reflecting a practice philosophy that is doctor-guided, relationship-based, and built on trust that lasts for generations.
Outside the office, Dr. Kwon enjoys time with his wife and son, serves in his church community, mentors young dentists, and continues to study and teach advancements in comprehensive and digital dentistry.
Affiliated membership:
Dr. Kyle Lee was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Tufts University and completed his dental training at the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, one of the nation’s most respected dental institutions.
Dr. Lee is an active member of the American Dental Association (ADA) and participates in humanitarian organizations including Dentists for Humanity and Hold Out the World, which provide dental care to underserved communities. His involvement reflects a deep commitment to service, compassion, and global outreach.
Dr. Lee is trained in comprehensive family and restorative dentistry, with a clinical focus on providing thoughtful, long-term solutions in a calm and comfortable setting. His training and experience include:
Dr. Lee believes excellent dentistry begins with listening. He takes the time to understand each patient’s concerns and goals, ensuring they feel heard, respected, and confident in their care. Working closely with an experienced team, he is committed to delivering dental care that supports long-term oral health, function, and naturally beautiful smiles.
Dr. Lee currently resides in Branford, Connecticut, with his wife. Outside of dentistry, he enjoys watching and playing sports such as golf and football, traveling with his wife and family, and reading a wide range of books.
Dr. Sandy Ahn is a caring and attentive dentist who is passionate about building long-term relationships with her patients and their families.
She earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Boston University, where she developed a strong foundation in comprehensive and preventive dentistry. Dr. Ahn enjoys caring for patients of all ages—from children experiencing their first dental visit to adults seeking thoughtful, long-term care for their oral health.
What truly sets Dr. Ahn apart is how she makes patients feel. With a calm, grounded presence and a gentle, friendly chairside manner, she takes the time to listen, understand each patient’s concerns, and create a comfortable, positive experience at every visit.
Her commitment to compassionate care extends beyond the office. Over the years, Dr. Ahn has volunteered in underserved communities abroad, providing essential dental care to children and families with limited access to healthcare. These experiences have shaped her belief that every patient—regardless of background—deserves to feel safe, respected, and genuinely cared for.
Dr. Ahn’s approach aligns closely with our philosophy of relationship-based, long-term care. She is dedicated to helping patients feel at ease while guiding them toward lifelong oral health with clarity and kindness.
Dr. Elkady grew up in New York City and obtained his B.S. in Biology from the City University of New York at Brooklyn College. He received his dental training at New York University and completed a GPR at Queens Hospital Center.
Upon graduation from residency, he relocated to Seattle, and practiced general dentistry for 5 years, providing dental care to the underserved communities of the PNW. It was during those 5 years of practice that Dr. Elkady saw too many patients unable to get proper dental care due to dental phobia, special needs, or complex medical histories. Dr. Elkady became acquainted with the dental anesthesiology profession while in the PNW and shortly thereafter moved back to NYC to attend a 3-year residency in dental anesthesiology at St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx, a regional trauma center.
Dr. Elkady is a diplomate of of the American Dental Board of Anesthesiology (ADBA), certified in Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).
Sue is our Office Manager overseeing the day-to-day operations of the practice. Sue provides an extraordinary level of personal attention and dedication to patient requests. She has been a staple to the office for over 22 years and has enjoyed seeing multi-generational patients. Sue lives in Higganum with her husband, dog, cat, and chickens. In her spare time, she loves spending time quadding with her grandkids and gardening.
Melissa has over 19 years of customer service experience and supporting staff members. Melissa’s passion is dedicated to bringing her friendly smile and outgoing personality into the office. She currently supports the Office Manager and various projects throughout the office. Melissa resides in Branford with her husband and three active boys. They enjoy traveling, being outside, and visiting with family.
Ellen has passion for providing thorough but gentle care for her patients. She enjoys getting to know her patients on a personal level but is also committed to helping them achieve and maintain a healthy smile. Ellen and her husband have 2 daughters and 2 dogs. She most enjoys spending time with her family or going to her kids many sports and activities. Her personal interest outside of work are boating, skiing and health and fitness.
Kat’s passion is providing her patients with thorough preventative care. She strives to help patients achieve optimal oral health and overall health. Kat and her husband Ben enjoy hiking, traveling and spending time with their two dogs, Winnie and Duke.
We are happy to help you book an appointment or answer your questions. Please fill out our contact form and we will get back to you shortly!
