Mr Lani Yap-Encomienda

Dr. Lani Yap-Encomienda graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park as a College Park Scholar and Maryland Distinguished Scholar, majoring in neurobiology and physiology. She received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from The University of Maryland School of Dentistry, where she completed clerkships in both Pediatrics and Oral Maxillofacial Surgery and served on the Committee for Dental Recruitment and Admissions and the Clinical Advisory Board. Graduating in the top of her class, and in recognition of her academic achievement, Dr. Yap was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society, Gorgas Odontological Honorary Society, and Gamma Pi Delta Prosthodontic Honor Society. She earned several individual awards, including the Nathan David Gold Memorial Award for conscientious and enthusiastic dedication to clinical practice and the Irving I. Abramson Endodontics Award for outstanding skill and expertise in the diagnosis and technical aspects of endodontics. After graduation, she completed a General Practice Residency at The Johns Hopkins Hospital under the Department of Otolaryngology’s Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Dentistry – one of the nation’s most prestigious and selective general practice residency programs. During residency, Dr. Yap gained more extensive training in hospital-based dentistry, comprehensive treatment planning, and emergency oral care. As one of Hopkins’ three dental residents, she treated dental trauma cases, cardiac and transplant patients prior to surgery, and head and neck cancer patients preparing for radiation-oncology treatment. She was also exposed to pediatric dentistry and oral and maxillofacial surgery for medically compromised patients requiring general anesthesia in an operating room setting. Furthermore, she treated patients in the dental clinic, gaining additional experience with fixed and removable prosthodontics, rotary endodontics, dental implants, and outpatient oral surgery. Dr. Yap is a member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the Maryland State Dental Association. Prior to her dental calling, Dr. Yap was an academic advisor at the University of Maryland’s College of Computer, Mathematical, & Natural Sciences. She grew up in Ellicott City, attended Notre Dame Preparatory School in Towson, and trained in classical ballet for 18 years. She and her husband Steve have three young children and reside in Howard County.