About Us

Cosmetic Dentist in Menlo Park, CA

The brief descriptions below are designed to familiarize you with our staff’s training, professional credentials and work experience.

Meet Dr. Timothy Leary

What’s rewarding for me is to make a difference in someone’s life. I’ve learned I can do that by helping people control the causes of disease, and by offering them long-term solutions. What’s expensive and painful is poor diagnosis, patchwork repair, and neglect. I believe people prefer no dentistry, and they would like to spend their time and money elsewhere.
I enjoy working with people who are serious about their health, and who appreciate the value of a confident smile. Healthy teeth in harmony with a stable bite and a comfortable oral-facial complex means more fun and a better life!
I enjoy working with a dedicated team, making time to understand the concerns of each patient, and providing dental care based on excellence and artistry. It’s gratifying when people put their trust in me, and eventually reach a level of health, comfort, and well being that exceeds their expectations—every time they smile, whenever they laugh or tell a story, and whenever they enjoy a meal I feel I’ve enriched their quality of life.

Education

University of Pacific Dental School, 1978, top 10%.
General Practice Residency in specialty areas of dentistry, intravenous conscious sedation, and anesthetic techniques, USAF Hospital, Tucson, Az.
Served three years in the USAF Dental Corps.
Private practice, Menlo Park, CA Since 1981.

Involvement

American Dental Association & California Dental Association.
President of the Mid-Peninsula Dental Society in 1989. Chairman of Peer Review and Co-President of the Mid-Peninsula Dental Health Foundation.
Conscious Sedation Examiner for the California State Board of Dental Examiners.
Co-Director and Mentor at Schuster Center for Professional Development, Practice Development and Mastery Courses completed.

Ongoing Accomplishments

Lectures nationally to dental professionals on health-centered dental care, and advanced restorative dentistry.
Graduate of two year course in Advanced Restorative dentistry at The Foundation for Advanced Continuing Education.
Completed multiple post-graduate workshops at University of Pacific Dental School in state of the art cosmetic dental procedures-Pacific Aesthetic Continuum, and at UCLA Esthetic Continuum.
Completed four year curriculum at Orognathic Bioesthetic International (OBI)–Fewer than 200 dentists in United States complete this course.
Member of Menlo Park Rotary Club for 25 years.
Proud father of two boys. Hobbies include boardsailing, bicycling, skiing, soccer, flyfishing, mountain climbing, and reading.

Lizette McDevitt , RDA – Front Desk Coordinator

Lizette has worked in the office since 1988. She has 27 years of experience in dentistry, including assisting in oral surgery. Lizette received her RDA in 1984. She worked as a clinical assistant for several years prior to assuming front office operations in 1996. Lizette manages the administrative duties of our practice, including the oral health data for our patient population. Lizette has done consulting for other dental office administrators interested in developing a private care, health-centered dental practice. She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and hiking on the beach.
“I enjoy dentistry because I feel most effective when I’m helping people. I like to build friendships with our patients, and I like managing the finances of the office. Basically, I like being the cruise director of the office.”

Joan White , RDH – Dental Hygienist

Joan has worked in our office since 1988. She has 30 years of experience in dentistry, worked as a dental assistant for four years, and received her Dental Hygiene Degree from Foothill College. Shortly after receiving her degree Joan worked with Flying Doctors, providing dental care to underprivileged people in rural Mexico. She has also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the College of Notre Dame.
Joan is responsible for patient education, periodontal therapy, and implementing the Dental Fitness Program to improve the periodontal health of our patients. For her hobbies, Joan enjoys hiking, bicycling, gardening and attending Bay Area theater.
“It is rewarding to have our patients trust me to provide thorough and gentle treatment, and to encourage and guide them in making good dental health a part of their lives. The wonderful improvement I see from time to time makes my day.”

Carol Fedalizo, RDA – Dental Assistant

Carol has worked in the office since 2000, and she has 23 years of experience in dentistry. She graduated from Clayton Career College in San Jose, and she received her RDA in1988. Carol received training in extended functions, and she spent a year studying as a dental lab technician. Carol is responsible for assisting all aspects of clinical care, and she manages OSHA training for the office. Occasionally, Carol teaches a course in expanded functions for dental assistants. She enjoys spending time with her family, hiking, and doing arts and crafts.
“I enjoy the technical aspects of dental care, and I especially like working with my hands. Further, I like the relationships I develop with our patients, and I enjoy making a difference in their smile. I feel most effective when I’m part of a team dedicated to high quality dentistry.”

Kim Sotir, Dental Hygiene

Kim has worked in the office since 2009, and she has 29 years of experience in dentistry. She worked as a dental assistant while in high school. Kim graduated from Foothill College in 1988 with a Dental Hygiene degree.
Kim is responsible for patient education, periodontal therapy, and implementing the Dental Fitness Program to improve the oral health of our patients. Kim is married and has two children. She enjoys hiking, reading, and knitting.
“I enjoy working with a team of professionals committed to promoting health, and who have the highest standards. Health is a priority for me, and I like to partner with our patients to help improve and maintain their oral health. Building long-term friendships with patients is particularly rewarding to me.”