Robert Berkenmeier

Background

About Robert Berkenmeier

I graduated from Pacific High School in San Leandro, California in 1972. An average,(B), student, my interests at the time were more social than educational. A brief stint at UC Berkeley confirmed I was not ready to take my education seriously. I was hired to work at a whole sale electronic parts distribution firm, Dunlap Electronics in Hayward, CA. I started with stocking supplies but in under two years was managing the industrial sales division. To provide an idea of how long ago this was, the other division specialized in supplying parts for television repair, something unheard of today. After a couple of years I enrolled at Chabot Community College in Hayward, CA, focusing in general education requirements and receiving an AA degree in 1978. Around this time I opted to seek employment with the Standard T Chemical Company in San Leandro, CA. Working there part time as a quality control chemist, this company in this location was the manufacturer of paints and coatings, mostly for Montgomery Ward but some other outside contracts. I also continued with my education by transferring to what is now called California State University East Bay. I received my BA degree in Chemistry with an option in Biochemistry in 1980. Pondering my future, I opted to apply to dental schools across the nation, applying to 13 and receiving acceptance notifications from 11. I opted to attend the USC School of Dentistry,(now called Ostrow USC School), and graduated from USC in 1984. My wife, Janice Sugiyama, and I moved to Carpinteria in 1987 taking on an existing dental practice. Below is my narrative for that period. Since my graduation from the USC School of Dentistry in 1984 and moving to Carpinteria in 1987, I have focused my attention on the needs and preferences of the patients of our practice. I believe the delivery of fine dentistry is based on a philosophy of exceeding the expectations of our patients. Our planning therefore incorporates the educated preferences of the patient. For a particular need, whether my patients must choose the least expensive treatment or requests the most expensive treatment, I will make every effort to provide the best result possible while honoring the preference and needs of our patient. In addition to the high standard of care, I try to insure the process is as comfortable as can be both physically and emotionally. Attainment of oral health, function, and esthetics and insuring longevity requires a commitment on the parts of both patient and doctor which is best garnered over the long term where bi-lateral, dependable trust exists.