Q: What got you into this specific medical field?
A: I love general, family, and cosmetic dentistry and working with people, making them comfortable and happy, giving them a healthy smile and creating a comfortable place for them to get dental care.
 
Q: What landed you in your city, and what is it that you like about the neighborhood?
A: I grew up in this town and ended up back here after UCLA dental school to work with my father who was also a well-established and liked general dentist. I love this town and have patients from the surrounding communities as well, with patients ranging in age from 2 to 98 years of age!
 
Q: Where did you receive your undergraduate and professional degrees, and did you participate in any residencies?
A: UCLA is where I received my undergrad degree and also my dental degree. I also played tennis for nearby Cal Poly Pomona during my first two years of college! I do have USC ties, with my father having gone there and my husband of 23 years having taught there for 13 years at the School of Dentistry.
 
Q: Do you belong to any professional associations?
A: I belong to the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, San Gabriel Valley Dental Society and also their Peer Group (which mediates any conflicts between dentists and their patients).
 
Q: What year did you begin practicing?
A: 1988
 
Q: What investments in your practice equipment and facilities have you made?
A: Digital x-rays, computers throughout the office (which immediately show any digital x-rays taken!), a dental laser, a blue sapphire light bleaching unit, plasma arc curing lights (which set up filling materials 7 times faster than normal), and newer dental chairs are investments to our practice equipment which are a huge plus for patient treatment. Also, we just recently moved to our new location just one block from where we were for 24 years, and with the move came a remodel that provides a tranquil, homey environment, along with updated internal systems.
 
Q: What procedures do you feel your practice excels in above others?
A: My strengths (from patient feedback) are my gentle technique giving anesthetic and strong communication skills. Procedures in dentistry are basically the same, but our care in doing the procedure right, constantly learning and implementing newer generation materials and keeping the patients comfortable, is what keeps our patients happy and long-term!
 
Q: What are your office hours?
A: Office hours are:
Mondays: 8:30am-5:00pm
Tuesdays 8:30am-5:00pm
Wednesdays 9:30am-6:30pm
Thursdays 10:00am-6:30pm
Fridays 8:30am-4:00pm
I am generally at the office MWF, although sometimes an occasional Tuesday or Thursday. Lunch times vary but are generally an hour in the middle of the workday. Usually phones are answered during lunchtime.
 
Q: What HMO or PPO providers are you in network with? Do you offer financing?
A: Generally we are a full-service provider, although we do contract with 1 or 2 PPO plans. We do offer CareCredit financing.
 
Q: Do you accept any government programs or discount cards?
A: No, sorry not at this time.
 
Q: What are the most challenging parts of your everyday practice?
A: The most challenging part is trying to stay on time if we have an emergency patient, but generally things tend to work out well, thanks in part to a great staff who has been with me for a long time.
 
Q: What are the best moments that make it worthwhile?
A: Giving patients the ability to finally be comfortable at the dentist, having a scared kid in my office for the first time leave as a happy kid, and seeing the joy on a patient's face when they have a smile that they've always wanted is what makes being a dentist so worthwhile at the end of the day!!