“I believe that true success comes from doing something you are genuinely good at and something that brings fulfillment. Orthodontics was the one profession that unexpectedly combined all of my passions into a single career. Orthodontics is not just what I do; it’s where I found my place.
“It brings me joy to work with families I’ve known for years, meet new families, and be an active part of an amazing city and community. Every day, I feel grateful to do work that matters, alongside people I admire, in a field I truly love.” – Dr. Bella Shen Garnett
Dr. Bella Shen Garnett was born in Hong Kong and grew up in San Francisco. She attended the Burke's School, San Francisco University High School, and Stanford University. She graduated cum laude from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and continued her residency there to earn a Master’s in Medical Science.
“I am passionate about customizing treatment plans and providing each patient with the very best options for their individual needs. I truly love orthodontics: the problem-solving, the challenges, and the creativity it allows. The ability to use Invisalign® has transformed my practice, enabling me to create treatment solutions that simply weren’t possible with braces alone.”
Among the few board-certified orthodontists and Angle Society members in San Francisco, Dr. Shen Garnett stands out among her peers; she is not only the most experienced Invisalign® doctor in San Francisco, she lectures nationwide and internationally. She also actively participates in studies and research to help the Invisalign technique continue to advance. Dr. Shen Garnett is also a Diamond Plus Invisalign Provider and among the Top 1% Invisalign providers in all of North America. In 2016, she was voted by her peers as the Invisalign Case Shoot-out Winner!
“I truly believe volunteering is one of the most powerful ways to create meaningful change while also learning about yourself. It builds empathy, perspective, and purpose, and it’s something I have carried with me throughout my entire life and career.”
An avid philanthropist, Dr. Shen Garnett has volunteered in the community most of her life, teaching Sunday school, being a mentor with the Big Brother/Big Sister program, and supporting her daughter’s efforts to raise money for pediatric cancer through MaisyPuffs.com and HuggyHatters.com. While completing her program at Harvard, Dr. Shen Garnett founded Project Bridge, a dental clinic and volunteer program that provides dental care for runaway teens, which was recognized with the prestigious Harvard Medical School Community Service Award in 2001.
Dr. Shen Garnett lives in San Francisco with her husband Eben and their daughters Maisy and Lucy.
Achievements and Awards
- American Academy of Dental Practice Administration Awards of Academic Achievement, 2001
- American Student Dental Association Award of Excellence in Leadership and Service, 2001
- Harvard Medical School Dean’s Community Service Award
- Katherine Delmar Burke School Alumnae of the Year, 2005
- Soma Weiss Research Scholarship and Internal Research Fellowship from Harvard Medical School
- Invisalign Case Shoot Out Finalist, 2007
- Top 1% Invisalign provider
- Invisalign Case Shoot Out Winner 2016
Professional Affiliations
- Associate Professor at the University of the Pacific
- Lecturer for Propel Orthodontics
- Clinical Advisory Board for Align Technology
- Lecturer for Invisalign
- Lecturer for Orthopulse
- Clinical Advisor for Two Front
- Diplomate, American Board of Orthodontics
- Member of the Angle Society
- Harvard Society for the Advancement of Orthodontics
- American Association of Orthodontists
- American Dental Association
- California Dental Society
- Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists
- San Francisco Dental Society
Publications
- Anterior open bite treatment with clear aligners in adults
- Cephalometric comparison of adult anterior open bite treatment using clear aligners and fixed appliances
- Short-term stability of anterior open bite treatment with clear aligners in adults [PDF]
- Treatment of anterior open bites using non-extraction clear aligner therapy in adult patients
- Correction to: Treatment of anterior open bites using non-extraction clear aligner therapy in adult patients