Posted on Mar 30, 2015 in
COVER STORY
Dr. Hanna L. Conklin and Dr. Tamara Osina-Felinski.
By M.G. Angulo | Photos by Alisa Murray Photography –
Tamara “Tammy” Osina knew early on she wanted to be a doctor. She wanted to help people, but more importantly, she wanted to have the opportunity to get to know them, not just on a medical level but on a personal one as well. She wanted to be the kind of doctor who patients looked forward to seeing to not only have their needs met but to also have someone to share their family news with. So, Tammy Osina became a dentist.
After completing her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science at Texas A&M College Station, Dr. Osina, who is a Lamar Consolidated High School graduate, earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the University of Texas Dental Branch Houston in 2002.
“Dentistry allows me to spend extra time with patients and to get to know the whole family,” said Dr. Osina, who added that the practice was founded in 1974. “I am able to treat the patient as a whole — not just their dental needs, but emotional and health needs as well.”
The warm welcoming area at Tamara S. Osina DDS Family and Cosmetic Dentistry.
After graduating in Houston, Dr. Osina practiced in the city for two years before returning to her hometown of Richmond in 2004, a place she said held her roots and provided the perfect atmosphere for her practice — Tamara S. Osina DDS Family and Cosmetic Dentistry. “The small-town feel is really what I wanted for my practice. Not to mention, I grew up here and wanted to raise my family here. Richmond was the only choice.”
She remembers the first day at her Richmond practice in 2004. “It was like a homecoming,” she said. “I knew many of the patients already, as well as several of the staff. It was a perfect fit.” In 2009, Dr. Osina built a new building in Richmond on Thompson Road, not far from the T.W. Davis YMCA, and relocated her thriving practice.
After completing her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science at Texas A&M College Station, Dr. Osina, who is a Lamar Consolidated High School graduate, earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the University of Texas Dental Branch Houston in 2002.
“Dentistry allows me to spend extra time with patients and to get to know the whole family,” said Dr. Osina, who added that the practice was founded in 1974. “I am able to treat the patient as a whole — not just their dental needs, but emotional and health needs as well.”
After graduating in Houston, Dr. Osina practiced in the city for two years before returning to her hometown of Richmond in 2004, a place she said held her roots and provided the perfect atmosphere for her practice — Tamara S. Osina DDS Family and Cosmetic Dentistry. “The small-town feel is really what I wanted for my practice. Not to mention, I grew up here and wanted to raise my family here. Richmond was the only choice.”
She remembers the first day at her Richmond practice in 2004. “It was like a homecoming,” she said. “I knew many of the patients already, as well as several of the staff. It was a perfect fit.” In 2009, Dr. Osina built a new building in Richmond on Thompson Road, not far from the T.W. Davis YMCA, and relocated her thriving practice.
Committed to Comfort
Since her return home, Dr. Osina’s practice has continued to serve and satisfy scores of patients. To date, the office boasts 12 team members, some of whom have been with the practice for 10, 25 and 35 years. “At so many offices — medical or otherwise — there seems to be changes in staff and no familiar faces,” Dr. Osina said. “Here, you will always see a friendly face, you will always be treated with respect and compassion and you will always be cared for like family.”
Bob and Bo Felinski, Tamara Osina-Felinski and Thomas Felinski.
And for that reason, Dr. Osina said Dr. Hanna L. Conklin, who joined the practice last year, made a perfect addition to the dental family. “She was a perfect fit really. We have similar practice and treatment styles. Everyone knows me, I’m an open book and both Dr. Conklin and I take our patient relationships very seriously. It’s not uncommon for us to discuss the day we had with our patients and have a big laugh or a cry over stories that patients share with us.”
Dr. Osina also pointed out that many of the team members have been raised locally and have raised their families in Fort Bend County, and this is what sets her dental practice apart from the competitors — its intense tie to the surrounding community. “We’re not just treating patients,” said Dr. Osina. “We treat their children, their parents, their grandchildren. We connect with families in this community.”
Just last year, not only was Dr. Osina was named top dentist in Fort Bend County in 2014 in a local community award based on recommendations by patients, Charlene Vyvial was also named the best dental assistant. And their patients feel that they are being treated by the best.
“Everything was great as usual,” said patient JoAnn regarding a recent visit to the practice. “The office is beautiful and welcoming. Everyone is friendly and helpful, not only to their patients but to each other as well. It’s obvious they enjoy their jobs. I never have to wait more than a couple of minutes before being called back. I learned a long time ago not to pick up a magazine, because I won’t have time to open it. They provide very prompt service. I’ve been coming to this practice for over 30 years, and I’ve always received excellent dental care.”
In addition to the personal touch, Dr. Osina’s practice provides the most advanced care by keeping up with the latest dentistry through post-graduate continuing education. “I believe that dental education is never completed. There is always something to learn,” said Dr. Osina.
Dr. Osina has completed curriculum at LVI-Las Vegas Institute, attended post graduate courses each year and has served on the council which organizes the annual dental convention bringing continuing education to all dentists in the Houston area.
Passion for Volunteering
If there is one other thing Dr. Osina takes pride in aside from her family and practice, it’s her devotion to volunteering in her community. “We pride ourselves on being integral volunteers and supporters of the community in which we all live and work,” Dr. Osina said. “I’m a hometown girl, and I’m not going anywhere.”
Prior to starting a family, Dr. Osina traveled to Corinto, Honduras in Central America on a medical mission trip to provide dental treatment, but now that she’s placed roots in Richmond, she, as well as her team, is devoted to volunteering on a more local level.
Dr. Osina currently serves on the Children’s Discovery Center-Children’s Museum committee for building funds, as well as the American Cancer Society Couture for the Cause event committee. Additionally, many of the team members serve on committees for the Fort Bend County Fair, and Dr. Osina is a former board member or the organization. On top of that, the practice also supports several other organizations including children’s sport teams, Lunches of Love, Behind the Badge charities and Lamar Educational Awards Foundation.
“I truly love what I do,” Dr. Osina said. “Every day is different and special and filled with my favorite people — my family, my team and my patients.”
Dr. Osina is married to Bob Felinski, and the couple has two boys, Bo and Thomas. When Dr. Osina and her husband aren’t offshore fishing and competing in tournaments — something they absolutely love doing — they are with their sons on the boat or having fun at the beach.
For more information about Dr. Osina or Dr. Conklin or to schedule an appointment, call 281-342-5022 or visit www.osinadds.com.
Committed to Comfort
Since her return home, Dr. Osina’s practice has continued to serve and satisfy scores of patients. To date, the office boasts 12 team members, some of whom have been with the practice for 10, 25 and 35 years. “At so many offices — medical or otherwise — there seems to be changes in staff and no familiar faces,” Dr. Osina said. “Here, you will always see a friendly face, you will always be treated with respect and compassion and you will always be cared for like family.”
And for that reason, Dr. Osina said Dr. Hanna L. Conklin, who joined the practice last year, made a perfect addition to the dental family. “She was a perfect fit really. We have similar practice and treatment styles. Everyone knows me, I’m an open book and both Dr. Conklin and I take our patient relationships very seriously. It’s not uncommon for us to discuss the day we had with our patients and have a big laugh or a cry over stories that patients share with us.”
Dr. Osina also pointed out that many of the team members have been raised locally and have raised their families in Fort Bend County, and this is what sets her dental practice apart from the competitors — its intense tie to the surrounding community. “We’re not just treating patients,” said Dr. Osina. “We treat their children, their parents, their grandchildren. We connect with families in this community.”
Just last year, not only was Dr. Osina was named top dentist in Fort Bend County in 2014 in a local community award based on recommendations by patients, Charlene Vyvial was also named the best dental assistant. And their patients feel that they are being treated by the best.
“Everything was great as usual,” said patient JoAnn regarding a recent visit to the practice. “The office is beautiful and welcoming. Everyone is friendly and helpful, not only to their patients but to each other as well. It’s obvious they enjoy their jobs. I never have to wait more than a couple of minutes before being called back. I learned a long time ago not to pick up a magazine, because I won’t have time to open it. They provide very prompt service. I’ve been coming to this practice for over 30 years, and I’ve always received excellent dental care.”
In addition to the personal touch, Dr. Osina’s practice provides the most advanced care by keeping up with the latest dentistry through post-graduate continuing education. “I believe that dental education is never completed. There is always something to learn,” said Dr. Osina.
Dr. Osina has completed curriculum at LVI-Las Vegas Institute, attended post graduate courses each year and has served on the council which organizes the annual dental convention bringing continuing education to all dentists in the Houston area.
Passion for Volunteering
Tamara S. Osina DDS Family and Cosmetic Dentistry on Thompson Road in Richmond.
If there is one other thing Dr. Osina takes pride in aside from her family and practice, it’s her devotion to volunteering in her community. “We pride ourselves on being integral volunteers and supporters of the community in which we all live and work,” Dr. Osina said. “I’m a hometown girl, and I’m not going anywhere.”
Prior to starting a family, Dr. Osina traveled to Corinto, Honduras in Central America on a medical mission trip to provide dental treatment, but now that she’s placed roots in Richmond, she, as well as her team, is devoted to volunteering on a more local level.
Dr. Osina currently serves on the Children’s Discovery Center-Children’s Museum committee for building funds, as well as the American Cancer Society Couture for the Cause event committee. Additionally, many of the team members serve on committees for the Fort Bend County Fair, and Dr. Osina is a former board member or the organization. On top of that, the practice also supports several other organizations including children’s sport teams, Lunches of Love, Behind the Badge charities and Lamar Educational Awards Foundation.
“I truly love what I do,” Dr. Osina said. “Every day is different and special and filled with my favorite people — my family, my team and my patients.”
Dr. Osina is married to Bob Felinski, and the couple has two boys, Bo and Thomas. When Dr. Osina and her husband aren’t offshore fishing and competing in tournaments — something they absolutely love doing — they are with their sons on the boat or having fun at the beach.
For more information about Dr. Osina or Dr. Conklin or to schedule an appointment, call 281-342-5022 or visit www.osinadds.com.
Rhonda Kramer, RDH; Kayleigh George, RDA; Ellison Klepak, RDA; Abby Burge, RDH; Alison Head, Chelsea Thomas, Sherry Wenzel, Kate Ondruch, RDH; Dr. Hanna L. Conklin, Dr. Tamara Osina-Felinski and Charlene Vyvial, RDA.
Tamara S. Osina DDS
Family and Cosmetic Dentistry
The goal of Dr. Tamara “Tammy” Osina and Dr. Hanna Conklin is to provide for all dental needs by preventing disease, pain and oral health problems through their comprehensive approach.
Their team offers complete dental care including cosmetic, periodontal treatment, oral surgery, root canal therapy, sedation dentistry, oral cancer screenings and dental implants. The state-of-the-art facility also offers LED-ZOOM teeth whitening, soft tissue laser therapy, digital X-rays, Intra-oral diagnostic camera and computer aided patient education.
Patients have a variety of choices at their disposal for dental procedures. The office offers Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas), conscious sedation and IV sedation. Additionally, the practice also offers the latest in dental anesthetic, Oraverse, which shortens numbing times for patients.
::
“We try and keep most services in house, because we know our patients are comfortable here,” said Dr. Osina. “We want them to see the faces they are used to seeing, and we know we are the best team to take care of all of their dental needs.”
Tamara S. Osina DDS Family and Cosmetic Dentistry is located at 1320 Thompson Road in Richmond near the T.W. Davis YMCA. The office is open Monday through Friday, with flexible hours to accommodate busy schedules. For more information, call 281-342-5022 or visit www.osinadds.com.
