First Dental

Ryan Lehmkuhler, DDS

Dr. Ryan Lehmkuhler was born and raised in Dodge City graduating high school in 2004. Ryan attended the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and graduated as a Chancellors Scholar with a cumulative grade point average of 4.0. Ryan was accepted into the University of Nebraska Medical Center Dental College where he earned his doctorate of dental surgery in 2011. Ryan opened his first office at 105 Layton Street. Growth has been a continuous theme as First Dental was formed in 2015 adding the Liberal location in 2019 and Ulysses in 2021. Continuing education and self-improvement are very important to Ryan completing courses and specializes in implant, restorative, cosmetic, orthodontic, endodontic, sedation, pediatric and oral pathology among others. Giving back to the community by providing services to the less fortunate through KanCare and the Kansas Mission of Mercy are very important to Ryan. He is very involved in education around the community serving on several boards and donating for many academic and sports programs annually. His hobbies included movies, music, reading, traveling, and astrology. Ryan is a member of The American Dental Association and Advanced Education in General Dentistry.

Education: University of Nebraska – Lincoln , University of Nebraska Medical Center Dental College

Certifications: The American Dental Association , Advanced Education in General Dentistry

Services: Dental Implants , Restorative Dentistry , Cosmetic Dentistry , Orthodontics , Endodontic Care , Sedation Dentistry , Pediatric Dentistry , Oral Pathology

Sam Taylor, DMD

Dr. Sam Taylor, a Dodge City native, has been as a general dentist for 7 years. He attended Kansas State University where he earned a B.S. in Microbiology. He was accepted in Midwestern University in Glendale, Arizona and upon graduating, attended Officer Development School in Newport Rhode Island and was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy. After his commission, he completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center in North Chicago. There he had additional training and education in various dental specialties, primarily working on the newly enlisted sailors at Naval Station Great Lakes. After 1 year in Chicago, he changed duty stations to Camp Lejeune where he worked on fellow sailors and marines with the 2nd Dental Battalion. Following his 5 years of service, he left the military and returned to Dodge City and joined First Dental. He works in both our Dodge City and Liberal locations. Dr. Taylor is very proud to be from Dodge City and is happy to be back with his family and closest friends. He is grateful to be serving the residents of southwest Kansas and takes great pride in providing safe, effective, and comfortable dental care to all of his patients. Dr. Taylor has a son Jackson, 14. They enjoy golfing together and attending movies.

Education: Midwestern University

Sam Khan, DDS

Dr. Sammy Khan is from south east Michigan. After high school he attended Wayne State University, graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science in Biological Sciences in 2017. He then received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from The University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry in 2021. Dr. Sammy employs his passion for service and attention to detail to help him deliver the highest quality patient care. As a lifelong learner, he stays on the cutting edge of evidence-based dentistry by regularly taking continuing education courses in restorative, endodontics, oral surgery, orthodontics and sedation dentistry among many others. In his free time, Dr. Sammy enjoys spending time with his friends and family, attending live music shows, learning new recipes to cook and working on cars.

Education: Wayne State University , The University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry

Services: restorative dentistry , sedation dentistry , endodontics , oral surgery , orthodontics

Dawood Parekh, DDS

Dr. Muhammad Dawood (Woody) Parekh grew up in Niagara Falls, Canada. He attended Goodman School of Business in St. Catharines, Ontario and following graduation in 2016 he attended University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry. After earning his DDS degree, he then entered into private practice in 2021. Dr. Parekh has devoted his professional career to all aspects of general dentistry practice with special interests in the treatment of pediatrics, endodontics, prosthodontics and sedation dentistry. He enjoys reading, exercise, the out doors and gaming.

Education: Goodman School of Business , University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry

Services: Pediatrics Dentistry , Endodontics , Prosthodontics , Sedation Dentistry

Pranati Akilla, DDS

Dr. Pranati Akilla is originally from Alberta, Canada. She completed her undergraduate degree in 2017 at the University of Calgary earning her Bachelors of Science in Biological Sciences. Dr. Akilla attended the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry in Detroit, Michigan where she graduated with distinction earning her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 2021. Dr. Akilla is passionate and committed to serving the community. She practices in all First Dental locations based in Dodge City, Liberal and Ulysses. Dr. Akilla enjoys practicing all aspects of general dentistry and is especially interested in restorative and cosmetic dentistry. She values building long term relationships with her patients and providing them with comprehensive care. Dr. Akilla continues to take advanced training in various specialties such as those in adult and pediatric oral sedation, digital dentistry, clear aligner orthodontic therapy, endodontics and oral surgery. She is also a member of the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry. In her spare time Dr. Akilla is an avid book worm, loves to travel and enjoys spending time with her family in Canada where she likes to explore the outdoors and go hiking in the mountains. Dr. Akilla would like to thank the community of Southwestern Kansas for being so welcoming and looks forward to helping everyone achieve their best smile!

Education: University of Calgary , University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry

Certifications: American Dental Association , Academy of General Dentistry

Services: oral sedation , digital dentistry , clear aligner orthodontic therapy , endodontics , oral surgery

Herman Deol, DDS

Dr. Herman Deol was born in Southern Ontario, Canada. He received his Honors Bachelor of Science from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. Following graduation, he attended the University of Detroit-Mercy where he graduated at the top of his class earning his Doctorate in Dental Surgery. Dr. Deol currently practices in Dodge City, Liberal and Ulysses. He has a keen interest in restorative and esthetic dentistry, endodontics, fixed prosthodontics and implantology. Dr. Deol has many interests outside of dentistry. He enjoys playing golf, watching movies, traveling, and trying different foods and cuisines. Dr. Deol is enjoying his time in Southwest Kansas and cannot wait to see what all it has to offer!

Education: McMaster University , University of Detroit-Mercy

Certifications: American Dental Association , Kansas Dental Association , Canadian Dental Association

Services: restorative and esthetic dentistry , endodontics , fixed prosthodontics , implantology