Dr. Edward Watson was a great man whose memory will outlive the time we were fortunate enough to spend with him. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and colleague; his impact on everyone around him was inescapable, his presence unforgettable. Dr. Watson was a pillar of his community, his church, a mentor, and a role model to many. His life and career leave a lasting impression on us all.

Edward Arthur Watson was born in 1946 in Inglewood, CA into a loving family where he grew up with his sister Annetta. Interested in science, Ed received a BS in Mathematics from the University of Redlands before attending the USC School of Dentistry where he graduated in 1972. While Dr. Watson was undoubtedly passionate about dentistry, he would tell you the best part of dental school was meeting the love of his life, Mikelle, whom he married in 1973. Together they founded his practice in Newport Beach, CA, where they also made a lovely home for their amazing children Bonnie and Riley. Active in the dental community, Dr. Watson earned a Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry in 1984 and went on to earn a Mastership in the same academy in 1997. Other professional accolades include Fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, and Fellow of the International College of Dentists.

In 2004 Dr. Watson was introduced to Dr. Niven. Shortly thereafter they began working together and started their partnership, Watson & Niven. They practiced together for over 16 years. During that time Dr. Watson was able to pass on his knowledge from his 50 years in dentistry to the person who he selected to take over the practice and its future.

Dr. Watson was as active outside of the office as he was inside. He had a passion for surfing, boating, and his 5 grandkids. His seemingly boundless energy was disrupted late in 2021 where he began feeling unusually tired. Just a few months later he was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma, an aggressive cancer that ultimately took him from us way too soon. Ed was the most caring person most of us have ever met, his desire to help others knew no limits. Dr. Watson, we will miss you.

Dr. Edward Watson was a great man whose memory will outlive the time we were fortunate enough to spend with him. A beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and colleague; his impact on everyone around him was inescapable, his presence unforgettable. Dr. Watson was a pillar of his community, his church, a mentor, and a role model to many. His life and career leave a lasting impression on us all.

Edward Arthur Watson was born in 1946 in Inglewood, CA into a loving family where he grew up with his sister Annetta. Interested in science, Ed received a BS in Mathematics from the University of Redlands before attending the USC School of Dentistry where he graduated in 1972. While Dr. Watson was undoubtedly passionate about dentistry, he would tell you the best part of dental school was meeting the love of his life, Mikelle, whom he married in 1973. Together they founded his practice in Newport Beach, CA, where they also made a lovely home for their amazing children Bonnie and Riley. Active in the dental community, Dr. Watson earned a Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry in 1984 and went on to earn a Mastership in the same academy in 1997. Other professional accolades include Fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, and Fellow of the International College of Dentists.

In 2004 Dr. Watson was introduced to Dr. Niven. Shortly thereafter they began working together and started their partnership, Watson & Niven. They practiced together for over 16 years. During that time Dr. Watson was able to pass on his knowledge from his 50 years in dentistry to the person who he selected to take over the practice and its future.

Dr. Watson was as active outside of the office as he was inside. He had a passion for surfing, boating, and his 5 grandkids. His seemingly boundless energy was disrupted late in 2021 where he began feeling unusually tired. Just a few months later he was diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma, an aggressive cancer that ultimately took him from us way too soon. Ed was the most caring person most of us have ever met, his desire to help others knew no limits. Dr. Watson, we will miss you.

Dr. Scott Niven was raised in Newport Beach, California. He attended Newport Harbor High School and the University of California Irvine graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He graduated with honors receiving the Ralph Waldo Gerard award for an outstanding research project of the year. His research project, "Interleukin-1 Beta is linked to Axonal Sprouting through its Regulation of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Expression", was published in the Journal of Undergraduate Research. 2001.V31,431-440. Dr. Niven attended the University Of Southern California School Of Dentistry and graduated in 2006 receiving his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. He graduated with honors receiving the Rex Ingraham award for excellence in clinical operative dentistry. Dr. Niven was also a member of the Psi Omega dental fraternity.

After dental school, Dr. Niven moved back to Newport Beach and began private practice as well as teaching at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry. Dr. Niven has been in private practice with Dr. Watson since 2006. Dr. Niven takes 1000’s hours of continuing education units to keep on the forefront of dentistry. He is an active member of the Laguna Gnathological Research and Study Group, Spear Study Club, Orange County Dental Society, and American Dental Association. Dr. Niven was also a former part-time clinical instructor at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry. Dr. Niven lives in Newport Beach with his wife and  daughters.

Dr. Scott Niven was raised in Newport Beach, California. He attended Newport Harbor High School and the University of California Irvine graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He graduated with honors receiving the Ralph Waldo Gerard award for an outstanding research project of the year. His research project, "Interleukin-1 Beta is linked to Axonal Sprouting through its Regulation of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Expression", was published in the Journal of Undergraduate Research. 2001.V31,431-440. Dr. Niven attended the University Of Southern California School Of Dentistry and graduated in 2006 receiving his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. He graduated with honors receiving the Rex Ingraham award for excellence in clinical operative dentistry. Dr. Niven was also a member of the Psi Omega dental fraternity.

After dental school, Dr. Niven moved back to Newport Beach and began private practice as well as teaching at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry. Dr. Niven has been in private practice with Dr. Watson since 2006. Dr. Niven takes 1000’s hours of continuing education units to keep on the forefront of dentistry. He is an active member of the Laguna Gnathological Research and Study Group, Spear Study Club, Orange County Dental Society, and American Dental Association. Dr. Niven was also a former part-time clinical instructor at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry. Dr. Niven lives in Newport Beach with his wife and  daughters.

Dr. James Skahen grew up in Newport Beach, California, and first joined the practice as a patient of Dr. Watson in 2001. He attended Newport Harbor High School and the University of California San Diego graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He went on to earn a Master of Science degree studying mechanisms of pain and itching perception. Dr. Skahen attended Loma Linda University School of Dentistry and earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. To pursue his interest in the medical aspects of dentistry, Dr. Skahen went on to study at the University of Southern California earning an advanced certificate studying the developing dentition, the management of dental trauma, treating patients with special healthcare needs, and hospital dentistry working at CHLA.

After graduating dental school in 2015, Dr. Skahen has lived in Culver City near his lovely wife Sara’s family as he and his wife raise their two young daughters. The Skahens plan to move back to Newport Beach as soon as possible during this exciting transition to partnership. As a lifelong learner, Dr. Skahen has travelled around the United States taking continuing education courses to better serve his patients with the latest in cutting edge products, and the best available research-based knowledge and techniques. He is an eager member of the Los Angeles Dental Society, Tri-County Dental Society, Spear Study Club, California Society of Pediatric Dentistry, and American Dental Association.  When he’s not in the office, Dr. Skahen loves spending time with his wife and daughters at the beach, surfing, riding bikes, playing guitar, and long distance hiking!

Dr. James Skahen grew up in Newport Beach, California, and first joined the practice as a patient of Dr. Watson in 2001. He attended Newport Harbor High School and the University of California San Diego graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He went on to earn a Master of Science degree studying mechanisms of pain and itching perception. Dr. Skahen attended Loma Linda University School of Dentistry and earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. To pursue his interest in the medical aspects of dentistry, Dr. Skahen went on to study at the University of Southern California earning an advanced certificate studying the developing dentition, the management of dental trauma, treating patients with special healthcare needs, and hospital dentistry working at CHLA.

After graduating dental school in 2015, Dr. Skahen has lived in Culver City near his lovely wife Sara’s family as he and his wife raise their two young daughters. The Skahens plan to move back to Newport Beach as soon as possible during this exciting transition to partnership. As a lifelong learner, Dr. Skahen has travelled around the United States taking continuing education courses to better serve his patients with the latest in cutting edge products, and the best available research-based knowledge and techniques. He is an eager member of the Los Angeles Dental Society, Tri-County Dental Society, Spear Study Club, California Society of Pediatric Dentistry, and American Dental Association.  When he’s not in the office, Dr. Skahen loves spending time with his wife and daughters at the beach, surfing, riding bikes, playing guitar, and long distance hiking!