Skill and compassion go hand in hand when providing exceptional patient care. Asdental professionals,We stay up to date on the latest advancements in dentistry in order to provide the optimal treatment options forour patients. Asdoctors,we recognize thatour patients are unique individuals who have placed a great deal of trust inus andour team. That is just one reason whywe value each and every patient relationship.

Dr. Robert Berkenmeier is a highly accomplished general dentist. In his life before dentistry, Dr. Bob majored in chemistry as a part-time student and chemist for a subsidiary of Mobil Oil, Standard T Chemical. Primarily engaged in the quality control of raw materials and finished products for the paint industry, he developed an understanding of the scientific process and the appreciation of well designed materials and their applications. These skills suited well his future in the dental field.

Upon graduating in 1984 from the Ostrow School of Dentistry of the University of Southern California, he was fortunate to immediately procure associateships in the offices of Scott Adishian, DDS, a U.S.C. Prosthodontic Specialist, and Dr. Cherilyn Sheets, DDS, a highly regarded and nationally recognized general dentist. In addition, he worked with Dexter Smith of U.S.C. performing dental materials research under the guidance of Dr. Terry Donovan. The influence of these remarkable mentors shaped his early career to one of recognition of and dedication to dental excellence.

After the birth of daughter Erin in 1986, Dr. Bob and wife, classmate Janice Sugiyama, DDS , began their practice in the classic California beach town of Carpinteria in August of 1987. Feeling a need to connect with the community he became a member of the Rotary Club of Carpinteria, which further reinforced commitment to high ethical standards and community service. His involvement with many civic and business organizations continue today including the Rotary Club of Carpinteria, now a member for 34 years. He was recognized as Carpinterian of the Year by the Carpinteria Valley Chamber of Commerce in 2007.

Professionally he is currently a member of the Santa Barbara-Ventura County Dental Association, the California Dental Association, and the American Dental Association. He served as Chairman of Peer Review for SBVCDS for 12 years.

'My hobby and primary duty for 18 years from 1986 until 2004 was to focus on our daughter. She has since graduated from Santa Clara University in 2008 and is living in the Los Angeles. I have now rededicated myself to our dental practice and am defining and inventing a life committed to serving my patients and communityfor many years to come.

As of December 2018, Dr Sugiyama has retired from active practice. After over forty years in practice as a hygienist, educator, and dentist she is now taking the time to enjoy all the charm of Carpinteria. Below is her original biographical introduction.

Dr. Janices breadth of education provides her the unique perspective of seeing beyond just one dental office. With two Bachelors degrees, one in Biology and in one in Dental Hygiene, a Masters degree in Public Administration specializing in Health Care Administration and her Doctorate in Dentistry, she was virtually destined to be involved with the governing structure of the dental profession.

Dr. Sugiyama is a member of the California Dental Association, the American Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. She has served in many leadership positions in organized dentistry including past president of the Santa Barbara Ventura County Dental Society.

However, her primary commitment is to her family, staff, and patients before her outside interests. To bring a smile to my patients face when I have helped restore a damaged smile or a debilitated dentition is incredibly rewarding for me. She chose to undergo certification for the Invisalign procedures just to kick up a notch her ability to serve her patients. To provide esthetic enhancements like invisible braces and smile whitening really makes the day for all of us, patients, staff, and doctor alike.

A graduate of the University of Southern California, School of Dentistry in 1984, she is married to classmate and business partner, Dr. Robert Berkenmeier. They practice together in the quaint, seaside community of Carpinteria, California. We moved to Carpinteria 30+ years ago as we preferred a small town environment in which to raise our daughter. Their daughter, now a philosophy major at Santa Clara University, is still a major part of Dr. Sugiyamas thoughts. Although I speak with my daughter regularly, the geographic distance limits our interaction allowing me to refocus some of my energy toward my community.

Dr. Sugiyama is a Charter member of the Rotary Club of Carpinteria Morning and currently serves as Club Foundation Chair, a past president of the Carpinteria Valley Republican Woman Federated, past president of the Carpinteria Valley Chamber of Commerce, and other ad hoc organizations. Although I enjoy my involvement with organized dentistry at the state and national levels, I never forget that it is only at the grass roots that I can provide my best service to my patients and my community.

Dr. Berkenmeier feels particularly fortunate to have a great team who have been together a long while and each knows how to get the their job done optimally. Each staff member performs their specific jobs in their unique ways but it all pulls together in a cohesive way to to provide optimal care including both the clinical and clerical details.

Our Administrative Coordinator, Veronica, is a Carpinteria native and a graduate of Carpinteria High. We are proud that she is has been an important part of our practice since her parents brought her in as a patient when she was just a very young lady. Her employment was preceded by her two sisters both of whom have been employed at our practice over the years. We are fortunate to have both Veronica and Kathy, (see below), keeping our office friendly and efficient.

Marta joined our office in 2014. A graduate of Oxnard City College Dental Hygiene program, she is bilingual Spanish/English. Outside our office she is mom to two young sons. She is a Oxnard resident and braves the morning traffic as our Thursday Registered Dental Hygienist.

Alex is an Ojai native and received her dental hygiene degree from Oxnard City College. She is bilingual English/Spanish and is our Registered Dental Hygienist on Mondays and Wednesdays. She has a son and daughter and has been with our office since 2008.

Karen is an Ojai native and received her dental hygiene degree from Oxnard City College. She is married with two daughters and is our Registered Dental Hygienist every Tuesdays and every other Thursday. She has been in our office since 2008.

Our Dental Assistant andPatient Coordinator, Kathy, is a native Carpinterian and a graduate of Carpinteria High School. Kathy began working with us while in high school and over the years came back to help during breaks from school.She has been with us full time since 2004 and has received additional training to assist us in the clinical area.

Joe has been with us since 2019 although we first worked with him when he helped us as temporary hygienist over a decade ago. Joe is an Ojai resident and has one daughter who recently went off to college. As you can see from his photo, Joe is quite the outdoor enthusiast and an avid runner.