About Our Staff: Dr. Laurence Masuoka, Dr. Marleen Masuoka, and their friendly, capable staff work hard for their patients’ comfort and convenience.

The work of a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH)

A dental hygienist is a highly trained, college educated health care provider who specializes in the prevention and early detection of tooth and gum disease. They are qualified to perform examinations, remove calcified deposits, apply sealants and fluoride treatments, and educate patients in proper methods of dental hygiene. They are also trained to remove sutures, take and process radiographs (X-rays), and perform other diagnostic tests. The work of dental hygienists is closely regulated, with written examinations and licensing required in all states. In California, Registered Dental Hygienists may give local anesthesia when required for patient comfort.

The work of a Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)

Our RDA’s have many years of training and experience with dental procedures. They assist the dentist during oral surgery and tooth restorations. Dental assistants fabricate temporary crowns and bridges and place temporary fillings. They are skilled in infection control procedures, maintaining supplies inventories, taking and processing radiographs. They may also perform important office functions, such as maintaining practice records, scheduling patient appointments, and preparing insurance paperwork. As with dental hygienists, the work and educational requirements of dental assistants is subject to state regulation and licensure.