- Diseases We Treat

Provider

Hakan Gem, DDS, PhD, MSD

Specialty:

Oral Medicine

Physician, Fred Hutch
Acting Assistant Professor, Oral Medicine, University of Washington School of Dentistry

Sloan Clinic

“Fred Hutch is an incredible place to work. In the clinic, our physicians and nurses are solving the problems of today, but just down the block, our scientists and researchers are solving the problems of tomorrow. At the center of these efforts are our patients and study participants, who inspire us every day.”

— Dr. Gem

How have you been personally impacted by cancer?

My mother was a dentist who owned and operated her private practice here in Seattle, and I originally pursued dentistry to follow in her footsteps. We dreamed of one day building a family business together, but she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and eventually passed away during my first year of dental school. Despite the tragedy, I remember the outstanding care she received from her team here at the Hutch. I was struck by the professionalism, compassion and excellence exhibited by every physician, nurse, and staff member. My mother and her care team inspired me to pursue a career in oral medicine and join the Hutch in its mission to prevent and eliminate cancer and infectious disease. I carry the experience of my mother’s cancer journey with me every day, and I strive to care for my patients with the same kindness and dedication that I witnessed in her doctors.

What do you hope it’s like for a patient who is in your care?

I understand that patient-doctor relationships are built on a foundation of mutual respect, empathy and trust. I want my patients to know that I will take the time to listen fully to their concerns, apply my expertise to identify the root cause of their ailments, and use evidence-based medicine to guide my clinical decision-making. Ultimately, I want every patient to leave my care feeling that their concerns were heard, their questions were valued, and that we worked together to make a plan they could trust.

Provider Background

Area of Clinical Practice
Oral health, oral disorders

I am a board-certified oral medicine specialist who sees patients at the Sloan Clinic and University of Washington School of Dentistry Oral Medicine Clinic.

As an oral medicine specialist, I see patients who have orofacial pain conditions (e.g., temporomandibular disorder, trigeminal neuropathic pains, burning mouth disorder, etc.) and oral mucosal diseases (e.g., oral lichen planus, oral malignant and pre-malignant lesions, osteonecrosis of the jaw, etc.). I also work with blood and marrow transplantation patients to make sure they can safely proceed with their treatment, and I assist in managing any complications such as oral mucositis and graft-vs-host disease.

Languages

English

Education, Experience and Certifications

Undergraduate Degree
University of California, Los Angeles

Medical Degree
University of Washington School of Dentistry

Residency
Oral Medicine, University of Washington School of Dentistry

Other
PhD, Oral Health Sciences; MSD, Oral Medicine; University of Washington School of Dentistry

Awards

Lester Burket Memorial Award, American Academy of Oral Medicine, 2024

We make promising new treatments available to you through studies called clinical trials led by Fred Hutch physicians. Many of these trials at Fred Hutch have led to FDA-approved treatments and have improved standards of care globally. Together, you and your physician can decide if a study is right for you.

View Clinical Trials

Many of our Fred Hutch physicians conduct ongoing research to improve standards of patient care. Their work is evaluated by other physicians and selected for publication to the United States National Library of Medicine, the largest medical library in the world. See scientific papers this Fred Hutch physician has written.

View Dr. Gem's Publications

Your Care Team

At Fred Hutch, you receive care from a team of providers with extensive experience in your disease. Your team includes physicians, a patient care coordinator, a registered nurse, an advanced practice provider and others, based on your needs. You also have access to experts like registered dietitians, social workers, acupuncturists, psychiatrists and more who specialize in supporting people with cancer or blood disorders.

Meet Other Providers

Insurance

Fred Hutch accepts most national private health insurance plans as well as Medicare. We also accept Medicaid for people from Washington, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. We are working to ensure that everyone, no matter what their financial situation, has access to the care they need.

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Stories

All news

Fred Hutch is one of the only centers in the region offering oral medicine services

Fred Hutch is one of the only centers in the region offering oral medicine services Specialized oral care for cancer patients is part of multidisciplinary care June 25, 2025