When you step into our office, you will notice a Hawaiian theme throughout our facility. Thats because I was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. It wasn't until I went to the University of the Pacific that I became interested in dentistry. Growing up, I always had an affinity working with children, but it wasn't until I was at Northwestern University Dental School that I found my passion for pediatric dentistry. As a dental student, I volunteered at the People's Clinic, which provided inner-city children with dental treatment. I also spent a summer in Colorado, working with migrant farmers' children at La Clinica Salud. On the weekends, I worked at a prestigious pediatric dental practice in Chicago, IL .
After graduating from dental school, I continued my training at Northwestern University Children's Memorial Hospital in their Pediatric Dentistry residency program. I spent two years providing dental care to children of many different medical needs, served on multi-specialty teams, and rotated through different departments. During my second year of residency, I served as chief resident for the dental department.
Upon finishing my training, I relocated to the East Bay to be with my husband, who grew up in the Bay Area. I have been practicing in the East Bay since 2000 and started this practice in 2005. I have been given the distinction of Fellow in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and I am a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. I am also an active member of the American Dental Association, Contra Costa Dental Society, and the California Society of Pediatric Dentists.
During my free time, I enjoy spending it with my husband and three children around the Bay Area and traveling abroad. We love immersing ourselves in other cultures and learning new things. My family and I also enjoy winter sports and spending time outdoors with our two mini Aussies.
I grew up in Japan and Southern California and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences at University of California, Irvine. I earned my dental degree at Northwestern University, and practiced as a general dentist in Chicago and Southern California. It was interesting to be able to work in all different fields of dentistry--but treating children was what gave me the most joy. Rather than continuing to treat children as a general dentist, I moved to the Bay Area in 2001 to start my specialty training in Pediatric Dentistry at University of California, San Francisco. I wanted to be able to treat not only the healthy kids, but to understand and manage the patients with various medical conditions and special needs. I earned a specialty certificate in Pediatric Dentistry in 2004. While completing my residency, I obtained a Master of Science degree in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences. In 2005, I earned the distinction of becoming a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. I also taught as an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Pediatric Dentistry Department at UCSF for several years. In addition to seeing patients at our office, I perform procedures at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland and Kaiser Permanente Hospital in San Francisco. It is rewarding to be able to provide care in a hospital setting to meet the needs of our patients.
I love being active--which is easy when I'm chasing after my high-energy twins. I run regularly and have been practicing yoga for almost 20 years. I also love to travel and explore the world. Pediatric Dentistry gives me the opportunity to combine my passion with work--to provide much needed dental care in developing countries.
She graduated from Carrington College in 2011 as Dental Assistant and got her RDA license in 2012. Maria started working in general dentistry the first 3 years of her career but it didn't take her long to realize that working with children was her passion.
Monika has been an RDA since 1999. She started working in pediatrics in 2004. Monika loves working with kids and giving them fun and positive experiences at the dentist. In her off time she likes to hang out with her husband and 2 boys. She enjoy playing softball, long road trips and going to the beach.
Yvonne is originally from Watsonville CA but has lived in the East Bay since 1996. She has held her RDA license since 2006 but truly found her passion upon moving to Dr. Rimis pediatric practice in 2012. She has a heart for children and enjoys making everyone that visits feel welcome and cared for.
Depending on the age of your child, he or she will either be given a knee-to-knee examination (where your babys head will rest on our doctors knee while their body is on your lap) or a regular exam in the doctors chair.
Your initial exam will last approximately one hour. Oral hygiene instructions will also be given with suggestions to help your child care for their own teeth. In most cases, we will also clean their teeth on this visit, and provide an evaluation that will outline any existing dental problems and proposed treatment.