Orange County Oral Surgeon, Dr. Christopher Hanhila
Meet Dr. Grant, Board-Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
Dr. Hanhila is a highly accomplished, board-certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon with over two decades of experience in the U.S. Navy, specializing in military and hospital-based surgical care. He completed his rigorous four-year residency in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Walter Reed Military Medical Center, where he trained in the management of complex facial trauma and reconstructive procedures, particularly focused on wounded service members from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
Following residency, Dr. Hanhila served as the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon aboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), where he provided comprehensive surgical care in a challenging, resource-limited environment. During this time, he successfully passed both the written and oral board exams to become a Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in 2011. His subsequent roles included Department Head positions at multiple Navy dental clinics, where he led surgical teams and managed complex cases in Hawaii, Washington, and Japan. He also served as a staff Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon in San Diego, delivering care to active duty and dependent military beneficiaries across the region.
Over the course of his distinguished 20+ year career in the U.S. Navy, Dr. Hanhila rose to the rank of Captain. He held numerous leadership positions including Clinic Director, Department Head, and Interim Executive Officer, demonstrating both surgical expertise and organizational leadership. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, multiple Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, the Army Achievement Medal, and qualification as a Surface Warfare Medical Department Officer.
Dr. Hanhila began his journey in dentistry after earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Southern California School of Dentistry in 2003 as a commissioned Naval Officer. He completed a General Practice Residency at Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton before serving as a general dentist with the 3rd Dental Battalion in Okinawa, Japan. It was during this overseas tour that he was selected for surgical residency training.
A native of Phoenix, Arizona, Dr. Hanhila earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Arizona in 1998. He is married to fellow Naval Officer, Commander Judy Hanhila, and together they have a daughter, Hailey. In his free time, he enjoys water activities, travel, and spending time with their golden retriever, Lilli.