Our team is a wonderful group of women and men who love children and teens. They are patient, accommodating, and willing to help your child have a great dental experience. They have worked in my office from 3-26 years and are therefore experienced in assisting with all aspects of Pediatric Dentistry. Our front and business office staff is personable, cheerful, and here to aid parents in the use your dental insurance, financial arrangements and making appointments.
OUR DOCTORS
Dr. Denise Bass Allen, DDS
I love Pediatric Dentistry! My favorite challenge is a child who is apprehensive or scared, especially if they had a bad experience at another dentist. Over the years I have developed more and more patience and I find I can ease most children’s anxiety and help them see we know how to make Pediatric Dentistry easier. I also love new toddler patients. Most parents are nervous about their child’s first appointment because they don’t know what to expect. I love spending time talking to parents about their dental history, nutrition , brushing and what to expect as their child grows older. This helps ease their anxiety and makes the experience easier for both parent and child. I also love that we now have A-traumatic Restorative Techniques (ART) to slow down or stop the progression of decay in young children and either postpone or eliminate traditional drilling and filling.
I grew up in south Berkeley and now live in Oakland. I love the weather, environment and diversity of the East Bay and plan to stay here forever.
My daughter was a lifer at Head-Royce School and I was on the Board there for nine years. She has now started her own custom bakery business [Full Belly Bakery] and of course, I help her as much as possible.
I have many hobbies such as hiking (with my Outdoor Mocha Divas), traveling, gardening and mosaic tiling, but my favorite avocation is skiing. I have skied since I was in 7th grade. Three years ago with the encouragement of a few ski friends I decided to be a part time ski instructor at Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows. I love sharing my love of the sport and teach adults and children at Squaw on some weekends and holidays.
Recent killings of African American males by police have stirred many in our society to read more about American history. In my opinion history is best remembered and understood if there is a personal connection. In that spirit I want to share a bit of my family history. Both my maternal and paternal great- grand parents were born into slavery. My maternal great- grand father, Walter Alexander Gorham lived in southern Louisiana. New Orleans was the first southern city liberated by the Union Army. Walter joined the Corp d’ Afrique and fought for the Union in the Battle of Port Hudson. If you visit Washington D.C. go to the African American Civil War Memorial and Museum. Talk with the curator and see my great-grand fathers name on the memorial with many other men. One of Walter’s daughters was my grandmother. She and her newly wed husband migrated to Oakland in 1918 from New Orleans. My mother said my grandmother would never talk about her experience with Jim Crow. She always said “you don’t need to know that, I won’t talk about that”. It is my hope we never say we don’t need to know or talk about race again. Talking and sharing our experiences is the only way we can start to make a change.
EDUCATION
- Holy Names High School
- Santa Clara University, Bachelor of Combined Sciences
- University of California, at Los Angeles, Doctor of Dental Surgery
- University of California, at San Francisco, Post-Doctoral Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry
- Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry (Specialty Board Certification)
Dr. Susanna Cheng, DDS
I am a native Oaklander. I graduated from Skyline High School. I earned a Bachelors of Science degree from the University of San Francisco. I went on to earn my Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in 1991.
For the first two years of my career, I practiced mostly on adults. In 1993, I found myself associating in a pediatric office in San Francisco. I soon realized that I much preferred working with children. Since then, I have treated very few adults. It was wonderful to find a position in my hometown with Dr. Denise with whom I have been and an associate dentist since July of 2001.
I am the mother of two fabulous daughters. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, reading, musicals, a good binge-worthy show, and traveling.
Dr. Carl Buchanon MPH, DDS
Dr. Carl absolutely loves working with kids and helping them, as well as their caregivers, feel empowered to take great care of their teeth! He is a first generation college student and dentist and was born and raised in South Bend, Indiana. Dr. Buchanon received his B.S. in Psychology from the University of Michigan in 2011 where he was a member of the varsity Men’s Track and Field team and was the team captain his junior and senior year. He then went on to complete his master’s in public health (MPH) from Texas A&M University School of Rural Public Health in 2013.
In 2019 Dr. Buchanon completed his dental training at the University of Michigan, where he received the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Award, the International College of Dentists Humanitarian Award, the Ryan E. Turner Memorial Award, and the Samuel D. Harris Award for Excellence in Pediatric Dentistry. His interest in pediatric dentistry did not come until his third year of dental school when he did his pediatric rotation. He went on to do a rotation at Bay Cliff, a summer camp for special-needs children in northern Michigan, and the rest is history. His research at UCSF focused on tobacco usage and periodontal health in African-American adolescents, a study he worked on with the help of Howard and Meharry dental schools.
Dr. Buchanon completed his pediatric dental residency at University of California San Francisco in 2022. He is currently a volunteer tutor with Back on Track at Third Baptist Church in SF and enjoys spending time with family and friends. His hobbies include exploring different places to eat in the bay area, watching Disney movies, dancing, and running.
OUR SUPPORT STAFF
Mayra Apodaca, RDA, Office Manager
I received my RDA in2009 and have been in Pediatric Dentistry since then. I have no children of my own but enjoy working with them very much. I am bilingual in Spanish and English. I love to read in my spare time.
Desiree Hamlin-Harris, Financial Coordinator
Desiree was born and raised in San Francisco, California. She has been in the dental field since 1998 and has been with Dr. Denise since 2001. She enjoys watching sports, traveling the world, and spending time with her family and friends, especially her little Yorkie (son) Dallas.
Isilda Ormonde – Registered Dental Assistant
(fala Portuguese)
Isilda was born in the Azore Islands of Portugal but came to the United States at age 3. She currently lives in Alameda, has 3 children, and loves spending her time with her immediate and extended family. She has worked for us for over 10 years.
Donna Jackson, Registered Dental Assistant
In 1988, Donna graduated from Bryman College. She’s been an RDA since 1991. She worked in general dentistry for over 7 years. She has worked for us for over 10 years. She has really enjoyed working with kids the most because every child is unique. She’s currently married with 3 children. Her hobbies include swimming, crafts, and cooking.
Stacey Strickland, Registered Dental Assistant
Stacey studied to be an RDA at Contra Costa College and has been an RDA since 1995. She first worked with General Dentistry for 5 years and has worked in Pediatric Dentistry since 2000. Stacey enjoys camping, fishing, reading and spending time with her family. She has 3 young adult children.
