Our Team
At Lamorinda Tooth Buds, Smiles are Contagious
At the heart of our practice are exceptional doctors and a team who are warm, caring, and a little bit silly! We love coming together to provide the best care for our patients in a nurturing and fun environment. We are proud to be a woman-owned and operated business.
Meet The Doctors
Dr. Barnali Roy
- DDS, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine
- Recipient, Award for Academic Excellence in Pediatric Dentistry
- Pediatric Dentistry Residency, Columbia University-New York Presbyterian Hospital
- Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
- Board Member, Contra Costa Dental Society
- Member, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, California Dental Association, American Dental Association.
Dr. Barnali Roy grew up in Southern California, where she developed an early interest in healthcare and helping others. She pursued her undergraduate studies at the University of California, San Diego, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry with a minor in Psychology. Her academic journey took her to the East Coast, where she spent a year conducting research at Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Katie Kim
- DDS, University of Southern California
- Pediatric Dentistry Residency, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
- Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
- Member, California Society of Pediatric Dentistry and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. Katie Kim grew up in the Bay Area. She received her Bachelors of Science degree in Biology at the University of California, Irvine before moving to Los Angeles to complete her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree at the University of Southern California, where she discovered her passion for working with children while volunteering at community clinics.
Dr. Stephanie Moniz
- DDS, University of the Pacific School of Dentistry
- Pediatric Dentistry Residency, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
- Assistant Professor (past), University of Pacific School of Dentistry Pediatric Dental Clinic
- Member, American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, California Dental Association and California Society of Pediatric Dentists.
Dr. Stephanie Moniz is a Bay Area native, having grown up in the South Bay. Dr. Stephanie has always enjoyed working with children and was a babysitter and nanny for many families throughout high school and college. She attended the University of California, Santa Barbara and earned a degree in Pharmacology, graduating with highest honors.
Meet Our Team
Jacqueline Varela Rodriguez
Patient Care Coordinator
Jacqueline is a seamstress who loves to go to art galleries, concerts, be around animals and nature, and travel. Some of her comfort foods include a coffee made by her mom, Toblerone chocolate, and pomegranates!
Zayne Matthias
Zayne loves all things culinary and adores cooking for people, experiencing new foods and trying new recipes. She also has a deep love for rescue dogs—always wanting to care for those others have left behind. Unconditional love on the daily will keep her rescuing as long as she can.
Mel Vargas
Mel loves children’s bright spirits, and making their dental visits a positive experience brings joy to her heart. When she’s not at the office, she enjoys baking, cooking, sharing time with loved ones, spending time outdoors, traveling, and staying connected with her community
Mari Fuentes
Mari truly enjoys working with children and being able to provide a safe space to teach children about their oral hygiene, as well as building relationships and gaining trust with patients and their parents. She is happily married and is a proud mother of two beautiful children and one fur baby.
Desi Coester
Besides spending quality time with family, Desi enjoys hiking, cooking, listening to live music and watching professional and collegiate sports. She loves having a career in which she can create magic everyday!
Kathia Calderon
Kathia finds fulfillment in building rapport with kids, making them feel happy at the dentist, and teaching them the importance of healthy teeth. Kathia’s favorite hobbies include skiing in Lake Tahoe and hiking around the Bay Area.
Methra Hatami
Methra enjoys going on hikes, traveling, and spending time in nature. She’s a fan of Afghan and Italian dishes, unwinding at the beach, watching sunsets, and finding cozy coffee spots to explore.
Megan Chen
Outside of the dental office, Megan loves going on walks with her dog Zuko, painting and designing nails, making desserts, and binge-watching Kdramas! She also enjoys trying out different restaurants/cafes and posting pictures and thoughts about them.
Buddy Roy
Tooth Buddy, Therapy Dog, and Super Mutt*
Outside of the office, Buddy enjoys long walks on the beach, snuggling with his mama, and playing with his toys, especially the scrunchy ones that make a lot of noise!
*Buddy is proud of his “Super Mutt” status, being a mix of 7 different breeds (according to his DNA test).
We look forward to welcoming you to our Tooth Buds Family.
- DDS, Columbia University College of Dental Medicine
- Recipient, Award for Academic Excellence in Pediatric Dentistry
- Pediatric Dentistry Residency, Columbia University-New York Presbyterian Hospital
- Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
- Board Member, Contra Costa Dental Society
- Member, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, California Dental Association, American Dental Association.
Dr. Barnali Roy
Dr. Barnali Roy grew up in Southern California, where she developed an early interest in healthcare and helping others. She pursued her undergraduate studies at the University of California, San Diego, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry with a minor in Psychology. Her academic journey took her to the East Coast, where she spent a year conducting research at Harvard Medical School.
Dr. Roy’s passion for pediatric dentistry blossomed during her time at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, where she received her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree. She was honored with an Award for Academic Excellence in Pediatric Dentistry, recognizing her outstanding skills and dedication.
Residency and Specialization
After dental school, Dr. Roy completed a rigorous postdoctoral residency program in Pediatric Dentistry at Columbia University-New York Presbyterian Hospital. During her residency, she gained extensive experience in treating children with special healthcare needs, managing craniofacial anomalies, and practicing interceptive orthodontics. She also became proficient in advanced treatment methods, including IV and oral sedation.
Board Certification and Professional Involvement
Dr. Roy is a board-certified Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, a testament to her advanced training and commitment to excellence in her field. She currently serves as the President for the Contra Costa Dental Society and is an active member of several prestigious dental associations, including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the California Dental Association, and the American Dental Association.
Community Service and Personal Interests
Dr. Roy is deeply committed to community service. She has participated in multiple mission trips, providing essential dental care to children in underserved parts of the world. These experiences have enriched her understanding and compassion, which she brings to her practice every day.
Outside of her professional life, Dr. Roy enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and her dog, Buddy. She is an avid traveler, yoga enthusiast, and sports fan. Dr. Roy also enjoys painting, playing tennis and golf, and exploring the vibrant culture of the Bay Area. Her multilingual skills in Spanish and Bengali allow her to connect with a diverse range of patients and families.
- DDS, University of Southern California
- Pediatric Dentistry Residency, Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh
- Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
- Member, California Society of Pediatric Dentistry and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
Dr. Katie Kim
Dr. Katie Kim grew up in the Bay Area. She received her Bachelors of Science degree in Biology at the University of California, Irvine before moving to Los Angeles to complete her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree at the University of Southern California, where she discovered her passion for working with children while volunteering at community clinics. She graduated in the top of her class and was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon, a national dental honor society.
Dr. Katie then made the move to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to complete her residency in pediatric dentistry at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh, a hospital consistently ranked in the top 10 of all U.S. Children’s Hospitals. Working in a Children’s Hospital and Level 1 trauma center granted her extensive experience in the areas of dental trauma, special healthcare needs, growth and development, pharmacological modalities including IV and oral sedation, and behavior modification/management. She is an active member of the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and a board-certified Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
When not playing with her patients, Dr. Kim enjoys rock climbing, running, going on hikes, and babysitting her feisty niece, Lia.
- DDS, University of the Pacific School of Dentistry
- Pediatric Dentistry Residency, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin
- Assistant Professor (past), University of Pacific School of Dentistry Pediatric Dental Clinic
- Member, American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, California Dental Association and California Society of Pediatric Dentists.
Dr. Stephanie Moniz
Dr. Stephanie Moniz is a Bay Area native, having grown up in the South Bay. Dr. Stephanie has always enjoyed working with children and was a babysitter and nanny for many families throughout high school and college. She attended the University of California, Santa Barbara and earned a degree in Pharmacology, graduating with highest honors. While in Santa Barbara, Dr. Stephanie volunteered in outreach programs to educate grade school children in the concepts of chemistry, and read to homeless children living in a transition house.
With an interest in science, healthcare, and working with people, Dr. Stephanie decided to enter the field of dentistry. She graduated from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry, earning awards and honors. She was able to combine her dentistry skills with her love of kids by pursuing a specialty certificate in pediatric dentistry. She trained at the highly regarded Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. In addition to learning pediatric dentistry in Milwaukee, she learned about Packers football, cheese curds and Fish Fry Fridays!
Dr. Stephanie has worked with both healthy and medically compromised children in private office, clinic and operating room settings. For many years she worked as Assistant Professor at the University of Pacific School of Dentistry in the Pediatric Dental Clinic, as well as educated students and provided care through the Virtual Dental Home Project.
Dr. Stephanie is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist and is an active member of the American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, California Dental Association and California Society of Pediatric Dentists.
Dr. Stephanie is excited to form lasting relationships with her patients and their families. She is passionate about providing dental care in a nurturing environment and educating families about the prevention of dental decay.
Along with her husband, two daughters and dog Louie, Dr. Stephanie enjoys being outdoors walking or playing at the beach. In her freetime, she likes to garden, practice pilates, and wants to learn to paint!