Our Forney Dentists

Dr. Karen Shovak was raised in McAllen, Texas. She moved to Waco to attend Baylor University and graduated with a bachelor degree in Biochemistry. Dr. Shovak then attended Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas and obtained her degree as a Doctor of Dental Surgery. In dental school, Shovak was a member of Texas Dental Association, American Student Dental Association, and Student National Dental Association. She has always aspired to be a dentist and is excited to have fulfilled her dream. Dr. Shovak believes dentistry has an important impact on the overall health of the body and strives to deliver superior quality general dentistry.

Dr. Shovak is currently a member of the American Dental Association and the Texas Dental Association. In her free time she enjoys traveling, running, and spending time with friends and family. Dr. Shovak believes in giving back and educating the community on dental/oral healthcare and enjoys volunteering her time at charitable dental events.

Dr. Pham is from Tulsa, Oklahoma and moved to Texas A&M to receive his Bachelors of Science in Biology. He continued on to the College of Dentistry to receive is DDS. Dr. Pham always knew he would be in healthcare. He became a dentist so that he can work with his hands and provide a benefit to his surrounding community.

His favorite part about being a dentist is this ability to help his patients in areas of life outside of dentistry. Outside of the office, you’ll find him enjoying the outdoors and spending time with his family.

Dr. Daniel J. Lee graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in Integrative Biology from the University of California Berkeley. He then attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine where he received his Doctor of Dental Medicine with Honors in Medically Complex Care. When he attended the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, he received the Theodor Blum Oral Surgery Award, which is presented annually to the member of the graduating class who demonstrates the greatest proficiency in the field of Oral Surgery.

Dr. Lee completed his first surgical rotation with Dr. Larry Wolford in late 2020, where he gained experience with orthognathic surgery and treatment planning along with TMJ procedures including TMJ disc repositioning and TMJ reconstruction with custom prostheses. He completed another surgical rotation with Dr. Grand Gilliland and Oculoplastic Surgeon, where he gained experience in blepharoplasy, ptosis repair, and endoscopic browlift.

Dr. Lee knew he wanted to live in Texas since he took his first bite of moist brisket. In his free time he loves trying out new restaurants and leather working. He most recently made a briefcase for himself and a tote for his girlfriend, Hailey, who is a general dentist practicing in Plano. He also loves going on daily hikes with his two furry companions, Peanut Butter (a cockapoo) and Kaya (English cream golden retriever). Did you know that Kaya is a type of Malaysian jelly? He is also proficient in Korean.

Dr. Pedersen was born in Iowa, but grew up in the small town of Dunlap, Illinois. After graduating high school, he returned to Iowa where he received a B.A. in Biological Chemistry at Grinnell College. Dr. Pedersen then moved to Washington DC to attend Georgetown College for a Masters in Tumor Biology with an emphasis on oral cancer research. Shortly after completing his M.S., he moved to Chicago where he attended the University of Illinois College of Dentistry. Dr. Pedersen then attended an Orthodontics specialty residency at Montefiore Medical Center in New York, NY for three years, learning multiple approaches to early interceptive and comprehensive treatment styles.

Dr. Pedersen is very passionate about orthodontics and loves being able to make his patients proud of their smiles. After completing orthodontic treatment as a preteen, he realized the positive impact that aligned teeth had on his self-confidence. This, in turn, inspired him to share that joy with others as a career. Since completing his training in Orthodontics, Dr. Pedersen has helped hundreds of patients improve their smile aesthetics. For Dr. Pedersen, it’s not just about transforming a smile, he strives to deliver the best clinical care to improve his patient’s quality of life. Dr. Pedersen is a member of the American Association of Orthodontics and actively attends continuing education courses to stay in tune with new research and advanced treatments in the orthodontic field.