Clinical Assistant Professor
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Dr. Gaal is a fellowship-trained oral and maxillofacial surgeon with special practice emphasis caring for both children and adults with cleft and craniofacial differences.
He completed his dental school training at Columbia University in New York City and his residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the University of Washington. He then completed his fellowship in cleft and craniofacial surgery under Dr. Kevin Smith at the University of Oklahoma. He returned to the Pacific Northwest and joined the University of Washington/ Harborview Medical Center OMS service since 2019. He currently serves as a clinical assistant professor within the OMS department in the School of Dentistry. He helps to lead the only ACPA accredited cleft team in Central Washington, the Yakima Cleft Lip and Palate team, and he actively engages in several global cleft surgical outreach trips throughout the year, working with several well-respected groups such as Free To Smile, Tess Unlimited, and Healing the Children Northeast. He conducts a busy trauma, orthognathic, and cleft practice at Harborview Medical Center treating both children and adults. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, fellow of the American Academy of Craniomaxillofacial Surgeons, Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and an active member of the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association.
Research Interests
Cleft and craniofacial differences, global surgical care, craniomaxillofacial trauma, public health related to OMS