Welcome to Novato Children's Dentistry!The pediatric dental office of Dr. Patrice Espinosa and Dr. Erin Shah. We are committed to providing you and your child with the highest quality of oral healthcare in the most gentle, efficient and enthusiastic manner possible. We pride ourselves on making pediatric dentistry a pleasant experience for our families, while also providing you with the best dental treatment we can offer.
Preventive dentistry is our goal for every patient. Our emphasis is on providing early preventive care and education for the families in our office in a one-on-one environment. This involves daily dental hygiene, proper nutrition, periodic cleanings and check-ups. It may not be where we start with every new patient, but that is what we strive to attain and maintain, especially with all the evidence linking dental health to overall health!
Born and raised in Sacramento, I left the family nest to achieve my Bachelors degree in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from UC Santa Barbara. Since I was a child I dreamed of becoming a dentist, therefore I was ecstatic to have been accepted into UC San Francisco School of Dentistry.
During my dental education I completed a NIH/Fogarty International Research and Global Health Fellowship. I lived in Port-au-Prince, Haiti and worked in the children/adolescent wing of a HIV/TB clinic. It was here that I found my passion in working with children. After graduating from UCSF Dental School, I received my specialty certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from University of Southern California.
Growing up I benefited from a very family oriented and interactive dental home, therefore I strive to improve the lives of children by providing exceptional preventative and restorative dentistry in a fun and loving environment. I believe that early prevention, interception, and education will aid in a positive dental experience that will translate into a life-long healthy smile.
When I am out of the office I enjoy many outdoor activities such as soccer, beach volleyball, scuba diving, surfing, yoga, and running/hiking with my dog. I am an avid world traveler and am always looking forward to my next backpacking adventure!
Dr. Erin Shah grew up in the Midwest and Chicago before moving to San Francisco in 2011. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry (UOP) in San Francisco. She earned a Masters in Oral Sciences and completed her pediatric dentistry residency training at the University of Illinois at Chicago. In residency, she worked with children with autism, complex medical conditions and severe dental needs. She was thrilled to return to the bay area to practice. She maintains privileges at Stanford Children's Health/Lucile Packard Children's Hospital.
Dr. Erin remains active in the dental profession, serving on the board and committees with the San Francisco Dental Society, and with the California Dental Association (CDA). She has orchestrated volunteer efforts at numerous CDA Cares free dental care events throughout the state and volunteers for a variety of community dental outreach programs. As a delegate to both the California Dental Association and the American Dental Association, she advocates for patients and families and the profession. Dr. Shah was recently honored with fellowship in the prestigious International College of Dentists, passing a rigorous, peer review process leading to the recognition of the individuals outstanding professional achievement, meritorious service and dedication to the continued progress of dentistry for the benefit of humankind.
Dr. Shah came from a home where preventive care was emphasized. Her mother suffered dental problems as a child and often times lacked access to regular care, only going to the dentist when in pain. Her mother vowed that her children would not have the same experience, and as a result Dr. Shah learned the value of establishing healthy dental habits early in life. Dr. Shah shares the belief that early prevention, interception, and education can be life-changing and result in positive dental experiences and a life-long healthy smile.
Dr. Shah lives in San Francisco with her daughter and husband. Dr. Shah has enjoyed all types of dance since she was a young girl, having studied ballet, tap, and various ethnic dances, including Bhangra, a lively Indian dance. She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking together, enjoying the outdoors, playing board games, reading and traveling. Since she grew up singing and dancing, so dont be surprised if she knows your favorite movie tune and sings with you!
Born and raised in Petaluma, Heather chose to stay local and attended the College of Marin Dental Assisting program in 2016. Heather always knew that she had a passion for working with children and wanted to find a job that would allow her to work closely with kids, helping them with their hygiene and educating them on everything she learned in the Dental Assisting Program.
During her study at the College of Marin, Heather started an internship at Dr. Espinosas office and quickly made herself an indispensable member of the team. Heather then joined the team full-time as Dr. Espinosas lead assistant shortly after her graduation and quickly recognized her passion and ability to connect with the children in regards to hygiene education, cavity prevention, and behavior management.
In 2018, Heather and her husband Brian welcomed their first baby boy, Wyatt into their family and he instantly became the light of their life. In her free time, Heather enjoys spending quality time watching her fast-growing son and cooking for her loved ones. Heather loves to tackle DIY projects both in the office and at home, and one of her favorite pastimes is taking a walk with the family dog, Bonnie.
Heather has been an amazing addition to our team and always diligent care to guide and educate the children during their visits. Heather has been vital to keeping the office organized and running smoothly since her first days with Dr. Espinosa. Heather may wear many hats around the office, but one thing is for sure she will always have a home in Dr. Espinosas office.
Born and raised in Petaluma, Joe grew up loving the outdoors and all that there was to explore in Sonoma County. Originally thinking of pursuing a career in nursing, Joe attended Santa Rosa Junior College for two years and acquired his certification for nursing assistance in 2016, before working a short assignment as a home-health-aid over the summer.
While studying at the Santa Rosa Junior College, Joe discovered he had a newfound passion in Digital Marketing, and soon found himself working for a company that specialized in digital marketing campaigns for dentists. While there he learned the ins and outs of the dental field while working closely with dentists to bring new patients into the office and grow their practices.
In his time off, Joe spends his time at home or outside with his girlfriend. He loves to cook big (and usually expensive!) meals, he loves to take his dog to the dog park or take him on a hike, and you can usually find Joe getting a large iced caramel macchiato on any given day. He loves living in Sonoma County and looks forward to one day finding a beautiful house here to call his own.
