Our Dentists
Meet the Northgate Smiles Dentists
Our friendly, Seattle dentists enjoy meeting new patients and making each visit exceptional.
Dr. Vina Lu | DDS/ Owner
Dr Lu is the proud owner of Northgate Smiles, a practice in advanced dental care. She focuses on providing comprehensive care and building relationships with her patients to design personalized treatments. Northgate Smiles has been recognized as Top Dentists for several consecutive years in the Seattle Met magazine. Dr. Lu is well versed in numerous dental treatments including Invisalign and cosmetic dentistry. She is known for her gentle touch and calming chairside manner.
Education and Training
Dr Lu graduated from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 2011 with numerous awards in didactic and clinical achievement. She also earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Molecular Cell Biology from UC Berkeley, graduated Magna Cum Laude. Each year, Dr Lu invests in her continued education and training to provide the most comprehensive, up-to-date care possible. She has dedicated hundreds of hours to continuing education from leading institutions including the world-renowned Spear Education, Dawson Academy, and Progressive Orthodontic Seminars. She is also an active member of the following dental societies:
• American Dental Association (ADA)
• Washington State Dental Association (WSDA)
• Seattle King County Dental Society
Personal
When Dr Lu is away from the office, she enjoys spending time with her husband and her sons, Ethan and Liam. Together, they love to travel and spending time outdoors. You will also find her frequently taking walks with her family and her 2 dogs at Green Lake on the weekend.
David Craddock DDS |
Dr. Craddock was named a 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026 Top Dentist by Seattle Met Magazine!
Dr. David Craddock was born in Toronto, Canada and lived in several areas of Europe as a child, before settling in Ohio in the 7th grade. He remained in Ohio for his undergraduate degree from Wittenberg University in 1988, followed by his dental degree from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry in 1992. From there, he moved to Washington DC for several years, before finally moving out to the state of Washington in 1996. Drawn by all the wonders the Pacific Northwest has to offer, Dr. Craddock enjoys the climate and environment here, from the ocean to the mountains and everything in between. He enjoys all sports, but especially soccer. Every Sunday he can be found playing soccer on a recreational team with his children, Elise and Aaron. Elise is heading into her senior year at the University of Washington and Aaron is heading into his freshman year at Dr. Craddock’s alma mater, Wittenberg University, where he will play soccer. Dr. Craddock loves cooking (almost as much as eating) and exploring the complexities of the Seattle food scene.
As a dentist, Dr. Craddock is well liked by his patients for his gentle touch and pleasant chairside manner. He believes each patient’s comfort and well being are paramount and treats everyone as such. With 27 years of dental experience, Dr. Craddock performs most dental treatments, from fillings and crowns (whether on a natural tooth or on implants) to root canals and extractions.
Dr. Amir Emam | DDS, Periodontist
Top Dentist 2025 and 2026 in Seattle Met Magazine
Dr. Emam graduated from Northwestern University in Chicago, with his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree in 1999. He had a private dental practice for 14 years. Dr. Emam came back to the Pacific NW to attend the University of Washington 3 year Postdoctoral and Masters Specialty Degree in Periodontics. Dr. Emam’s experience with addressing all aspects of patient care and his commitment to always expanding his knowledge makes him a great new addition to the team.
