Our Doctor

Dr. Thein has practiced periodontics in the Kansas City area since 1982. He graduated with a B.A. in psychology from Southern Methodist University in Dallas prior to attending the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry for his dental training Following graduation from dental school, he completed a hospital general practice residency program at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. His periodontal specialty training and master's degree (M.S.D.) were earned from Baylor College of Dentistry, also in Dallas.

Dr. Thein has been on the faculty at UMKC School of Dentistry since 1982 where he teaches and holds an appointment as Assistant Professor of Clinical Dentistry, dividing his time between the Graduate Periodontics Department and the Advanced Education Graduate Dental (AEGD) program. He also teaches Dental Practice Management and Case Presentation courses to the senior students and residents. He has been involved in a number of clinical research projects primarily in the field of oral medicine and has authored several papers on this topic in various dental publications.

He is an active member of the American Academy of Periodontology, American Dental Association, Kansas Dental Association, Fifth District Dental Society and the Omicrom Kappa Upsilon honorary dental society. He has served on the Fifth District Dental Society as its Secretary and belongs to the Greater Kansas City Clinical Periodontist's Study Club.

Since completing his specialty training, Dr. Thein has logged thousands of hours of continuing education. This includes advanced laser training at the Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry in California where he received standard proficiency certification with Nd: YAG lasers and is now a Certified Trainer in the LANAP procedure for dentist new to lasers. His clinical training on CO2 lasers was completed in Germany. For patients with special needs, at in-office dental anesthesiologist is available who can render deep sedation for patients requiring stress reduction.

Dr. Thein was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He currently resides in Leawood with his wife, Sheree. They have three grown children also in the area. Interests outside the practice include hiking, biking, fishing and travel.