Meet Us
Meet the Doctors
Doctors Don K. Shimizu and Laarni C. Shimizu are accomplished Doctors of Dental Surgery and owners of their private practice in Walnut Creek. They are dedicated to providing advanced comprehensive and cosmetic dental care for their patients. The Doctors continue to participate in advanced education courses and seminars to remain current with the changes in the profession. Drs. Don and Laarni Shimizu work and consult with various dental specialties to ensure delivery of exceptional quality care. They are members of the California Dental Association and the Contra Costa Dental Society.
Dr. Don K. Shimizu
A native of Pleasant Hill/Walnut Creek, received his bachelors degree from the University of California at Berkeley in 1987. He then attended the University of California at San Francisco and received his Doctorate in Dental Surgery in 1991. Dr. Don Shimizu is a member of The California Dental Association and The American Dental Association. He has served on the Board of Directors, as chairman of the New Professionals Committee and as District Representative for the Contra Costa Dental Society. He has also held a position on the New Professionals Committee and acted as a delegate for the California Dental Association. Dr. Don Shimizu has been an active supporter of many local schools, sports teams and business organizations. Dr. Don Shimizu lives in Walnut Creek with his wife, Laarni and their daughters Stephanie and Katie. During his free time he enjoys fishing, wakeboarding and windsurfing.
Dr. Lan-Anh Ho
Dr. Ho went to college at University of the Pacific in Stockton, California and graduated in 2017 with a degree in biology. She was part of various clubs including Operation Smile, an organization dedicated to raising money and awareness for children needing corrective surgeries for cleft lip and palate. She attended the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry immediately after undergraduate school and graduated with her D.D.S. in 2020.
Dr. Ho was initially interested in dentistry due to its combination of art and science. She continuously strives to learn and stay updated with the discoveries and techniques of the dental field. In dental school, she was part of two ethics-centered organizations, SPEA and the Peer Supporters. As a result, she focuses on delivering exceptional patient care and treating all those around her with kindness and respect. She is currently a member of the California Dental Association and the American Dental Association.
Dr. Ho grew up in Lafayette, California and is excited to be back in the East Bay to work at our office. In her free time she enjoys reading, playing volleyball and tennis, and walking her dog, Belle.
Meet the Staff
Lauren
Office Manager/Registered Dental Assistant
Lauren is a graduate of the Diablo Valley Dental Assisting Program in Pleasant Hill. She currently works in both the front office, scheduling treatment, and also delivering patient care. Lauren enjoys spending time with her family.
Kristina
Registered Dental Assistant
Kris is a graduate of Carrington College in Pleasant Hill where she studied as a dental assistant. She loves to take care of her patients and make sure they are calm and enjoy their visit with us. In her free time she enjoys hiking with her husky, Cosmo. Being outdoors is very comforting to her. She also enjoys car shows, preferably old muscle cars, and watching sports.
Marcella
Registered Dental Assistant
Marcella graduated from Mt. Diablo Loma Vista. She has been an RDA for 5 years now. In her spare time, she loves going on hikes, and running with her daughter. She also enjoys taking her daughter to piano lessons and softball. They are a great mommy/daughter duo.
Monique
Dental Assistant
Monique graduated from Mt. Diablo Loma Vista as a dental assistant. She loves to educate and answer any questions about oral care. She also loves listening to music, dancing, swimming, and hanging out with friends and family.