Kianna-Simmons-DeGraff

Kianna Simmons-DeGraff, DMD

Dr. Kianna Simmons graduated from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Dental Medicine in 2007. During her time there she developed a keen interest in the connection of oral health and general medicine and continued her studies at the University of Pennsylvania’s oral medicine residency program. After completing a year of clinical training she returned to Bermuda where she entered private practice.
Dr. Kianna has been involved in numerous community initiatives and is actively involved in a number of local community and professional organizations.
In 2012, Dr. Kianna married Mr. Devaun “Sammy” DeGraff, and in 2015 were blessed with their son Kenan. Dr. Kianna enjoys spending time with her family, and in the fall of 2015 they traveled to their first AMEN conference in Hilton Head, South Carolina. It was there that Dr. Kianna was inspired and recommitted herself and her practice to God and began seeing her profession as a ministry, and not just a practice. Since that time she has incorporated praying with patients, more thorough comprehensive medical exams and assessments, and advises patients holistically on care for not only their teeth, but their health overall. By providing spiritual insight and guidance and support to patients on their journeys for change she enjoys serving her patients as well as the community. Her goal is to not only physically cure oral disease, but ultimately inspire and reflect Christ to every patient and introduce them to Him, one consult at a time.

New Directions

in Fall 2024   |
Published on 09/01/2024   |
3 min | <<|>>

Attending the 2015 AMEN Conference on Hilton Head Island proved to be a noteworthy event for Kianna Simmons-DeGraff, DMD, a highly successful dentist specializing in oral medicine. In her home country of Bermuda she served as both president and chairman of the board of the Bermuda Dental Association while maintaining a busy practice.

“The AMEN conference,” she says, “was an eye opening experience which prompted me to think more deeply about my patients’ spiritual needs.”

After the conference Simmons-DeGraff decided to implement some changes in her practice, including praying with patients and initiating spiritual conversations. “I wanted them to have more than just a good dental outcome;” she reflects. “I wanted them to experience peace in their hearts.”

Accordingly, she added a literature rack to her waiting area and discovered that the three most sought after materials included The Great Controversy, God Still Lives, and the 8 Laws of Health by Amazing Facts. A magazine with plant-based recipes also generated interest and requests for more information.

Not long after, Kianna Simmons-DeGraff, who goes by Dr. Kianna, and her husband, Devaun “Sammy” DeGraff, experienced another life-redirecting moment when they welcomed their newborn son into their family.

“I hadn’t really thought much about becoming a mother,” Dr. Kianna recalls. “The day before my son was born, I was working as hard as ever. But when I held him in my arms for the first time after his birth, I knew from then on my family would take priority over my career, and the spiritual needs of my patients would be more important than worldly success.”

Blessings have followed in the wake of these decisions.

After living and working in Bermuda for 15 years, the Lord directed the DeGraff family to relocate in Ooltewah, Tennessee, where Dr. Kianna would serve as clinical director at Aspen Dental.

“I had no idea when we moved to Ooltewah that it was right next to Collegedale!” Dr. Kianna says. “But being in the Bible Belt makes it very easy to discuss spiritual topics. Patients are also very willing for me to pray with them.

“In my practice I am concerned about whatever impacts your smile, whether it is a physical, spiritual or mental health issue.”

Dr. Kianna now serves on the board of Adventist Medical Evangelism Network, which has led to invitations to speak at national and international AMEN events.

In Kenya, she delivered the opening address at the first ever AMEN conference at the Adventist University of Nairobi. Amara Nwankpah, MD, arranged for a follow up meeting with women practitioners and female medical and dental students. The women were able to share openly about the challenges of working in a culture in which women typically do not lead or aspire to professional careers.

Dr. Kianna shared how God’s calling for women transcends culture. “Be willing to follow Him, and God will guide and direct your steps,” she encouraged.

More recently, she spoke at the inaugural AMEN conference in Peru, a first for South America. This invitation came about through contact with long time AMEN attendee and presenter Dosung Kim, DDS, whom she had met at a prior AMEN Conference in Palm Springs.

“He told me he would love for me to come and share my testimony in Peru,” she recalls. “And I was blessed to share not only my testimony, but about restoring the right arm of the gospel and awareness of how you as a practitioner come across to your patients. We need to be cognizant of that, especially as Adventist health professionals.”

<< | Table of Contents | >>