by Kay Curry
Northwest Asia Weekly
Dr. Carla Yamashiro (left) discusses with patient Michelle Mui. (Provided by Dr. Yamashiro)
Dr. Carla Yamashiro, DDS, NMD, IBDM of Bonney Lake Eco Dentistry, takes a natural and holistic approach to dental practice.
Voted Seattle’s Best Dentist in 2020, Yamashiro grew up knowing she wanted to be a dentist, but took a circuitous route when people around her didn’t understand what she meant—and she did. Now, she helps clients from afar to be able to take advantage of her innovative and caring service.
Yamashiro grew up in Hilo, Hawaii, and now lives in Seattle. She remembers that her childhood dentist didn’t use anesthesia.
“He’d say, ‘Now hold on’ and start drilling. It’s torture!” This introduction to dentistry prompted Yamashiro to look for a different and better approach. Like many, she is familiar with the “old way” of making stuffing.
“When I heard about the amalgam being mixed in a machine called the ‘wiggle bug’, I felt relieved because I knew the torture would soon be over.” It was at the moment that the mercury was pressed into the teeth, Yamashiro Know that she wants to be a dentist.
“Ironically, the act of putting the amalgam in my teeth was exactly the moment I wanted to be a dentist. Today, I am certified to safely remove it.”
At Ecologic Dentistry, their forward-looking approach is backed by scientific research, and their clients want to do the right thing. They provide routine dental care (cleaning, X-rays, etc.) in the safest way possible, and also offer breakthrough treatments including removal of toxic mercury fillings (and replacing them with safer alternatives) and jaw realignment. The latter can treat everything from teeth grinding and snoring to underbite/underbite.
“We don’t just have a mouth that needs to be drilled and filled with teeth,” Yamashiro said. “We need to understand that what we do and don’t do with our teeth affects our entire body and vice versa. When a patient comes to see me, it’s not my job to determine what we need to drill and fill. Rather, my The job is to ask ‘why’ so I can try to understand the root cause of your problem. Unless we know the ‘why’, we’re just putting bandages on wounds that may be deeper.”
Yamashiro’s high school counselor guides her away from her dreams.
“She looked at my file, and without saying a word, handed me an oral hygiene booklet. I thought that meant I wasn’t qualified to be a dentist. So began my long circuitous journey.”
She entered the University of Hawaii for a secondary music education. But it didn’t take long to get back on track by working in a dental lab and working as a dental assistant.
“I basically had to start from scratch.” She completed dental school with further education in Integrative Bio-Dental Medicine and Naturopathic Medicine, which she has been practicing since 2008.
“Some people along the way frowned at the length of my journey, but the way I look at it, I’m going to be a dentist at any age, not at that age and not a dentist.”
While attending dental school, Yamashiro visited an aunt in Tacoma and decided to move here.
“I love Seattle…I say out loud to myself ‘I love Seattle’ when I’m out exploring Seattle’s parks, city walks and hiking with my rescue dog Harry-san…I think we live on one of these planets The most beautiful place, surrounded by mountains and rivers. The best food in Seattle!”
Mountain City is often in the international district of Chinatown. You might see her playing taiko.
“About eight years ago, I was in Seattle for a sushi lunch. On their screen was a taiko drummer! Watching a taiko performance made me want to learn how to play.” She joins Seattle’s Kokon Taiko, who are again following the COVID-19 lockdown Start a live show.
“We’re very excited to perform for our community again.” This passion for learning has influenced everything Yamashiro does, whether it’s dentistry or playing taiko drums, flamenco guitar or ukulele.
“My dad taught himself how to play the ukulele. He rarely did it without it. He carried it everywhere…once, when he was playing the ukulele, he said to me, ‘If you would Play and you’ll never feel alone.'” Yamashiro, who is far from his family, takes this to heart.
People wondered how she could trade Shiloh for Seattle, but she felt at home here.
“Hilo is the rainy side of the Big Island, and the rain clouds are hovering over Hilo, unable to climb over the mountains. Hilo has a lot more rain than Seattle.”
She also knew that while they might not have understood her passion for dentistry or her move to the mainland at first, her family supported her.
“I want to thank my parents for their sacrifice, for supporting me in pursuing everything I want… When your parents provide you with a safety net, you feel like you can do anything because if you fail You can go home anytime.”
Growing up, they didn’t have much, but her now deceased parents “had the biggest hearts,” as Yamashiro recalls. Her father’s parents are from Okinawa, her mother’s father is from Japan, and her mother’s mother was born in Hawaii. Yamashiro is the youngest of three older sisters who live in Hilo.
“My mom is the best cook. Our favorite is her fried chicken. I remember we could only have two wings each. We’re sure not to miss a piece and eat ours to the core!”
This profound family background also makes Shancheng’s practice feel like a family. When you walk in, you’ll be greeted warmly by the staff, and Hill City’s rescue dog, Harry, will stay behind her office and reception. There will be loyal clients in the halls and a reassuring rhythm of professionals in clean operating rooms.
“I’ve always wanted a comprehensive dentist,” said patient Michelle Mui. “Dr. Y provides non-toxic treatment for dental procedures. She is very patient and attention to detail. I ran 28 miles to see Dr. Y…I feel like Dr. Y really listened to me and tried her best to accommodate my needs. “
“No matter how old you are, you have nothing to lose,” Yamashiro said.
Eco Dentistry – The Natural Choice is open three days a week in Bonney Lake.
Kay can reach info@nwasianweekly.com.
