Christine Shigaki
DDS
Dr. Shigaki has been in dentistry since 1989 where she started as a dental assistant while completing her undergraduate studies at the University of Washington. In 1994, she graduated with honors from University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, San Francisco, CA. Dr. Shigaki, a native of Seattle, has built her practice since 1995 and opened Belltown Dental in 2003.
She is a life-long student of dentistry and believes that it is her professional responsibility to provide optimal, comprehensive care in a modern facility with state of the art equipment and techniques. She has completed and continues her studies with extensive post graduate dental education, including several dental study clubs and coursework at the distinguished Pankey Institute, where she is also currently an advisor and faculty member. Christine also facilitates teams and mentors dentists. She enjoys the work/life balance that dentistry allows her and hopes that others can find their joy in dentistry.
When not at the office, teaching/studying dentistry, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two children and extensive extended family. She enjoys being involved in her children’s activities, yoga, reading, various outdoor activities and cooking.
She is a life-long student of dentistry and believes that it is her professional responsibility to provide optimal, comprehensive care in a modern facility with state of the art equipment and techniques. She has completed and continues her studies with extensive post graduate dental education, including several dental study clubs and coursework at the distinguished Pankey Institute, where she is also currently an advisor and faculty member. Christine also facilitates teams and mentors dentists. She enjoys the work/life balance that dentistry allows her and hopes that others can find their joy in dentistry.
When not at the office, teaching/studying dentistry, she enjoys spending time with her husband, two children and extensive extended family. She enjoys being involved in her children’s activities, yoga, reading, various outdoor activities and cooking.
Lauren J. Ma
DDS
Dr. Lauren Ma, a Pacific Northwest native, brings over a decade of patient-centered dental care to the Greater Seattle community, combining clinical excellence with a warm, personalized approach. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from the University of the Pacific and her Doctor of Dental Surgery from UOP’s Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. Dedicated to excellence and lifelong learning, Dr. Ma pursued advanced education at the renowned Pankey Institute, refining a modern, careful approach to care.
Known for her meticulous, gentle, and comprehensive style, Dr. Ma believes dentistry should feel both personal and empowering. Her compassionate, patient-focused approach allows her to customize care based on each individual’s needs, goals, and lifestyle. She values unhurried time with patients, focusing on education and collaboration to support long-term oral health and overall well-being.
Guided by a commitment to growth and community, Dr. Ma actively engages in continuing education, study club with her peers, and organized dentistry. She enjoys combining her love of dentistry and service through providing care to underserved populations locally and abroad, including in Belize, Jamaica, and Kenya. Outside the office, she values balance and wellness, enjoying travel, staying active, and time with family and friends. She draws inspiration from the Pacific Northwest’s natural beauty and dynamic food scene, reflecting her belief that health, longevity, and quality of life are deeply connected.
Known for her meticulous, gentle, and comprehensive style, Dr. Ma believes dentistry should feel both personal and empowering. Her compassionate, patient-focused approach allows her to customize care based on each individual’s needs, goals, and lifestyle. She values unhurried time with patients, focusing on education and collaboration to support long-term oral health and overall well-being.
Guided by a commitment to growth and community, Dr. Ma actively engages in continuing education, study club with her peers, and organized dentistry. She enjoys combining her love of dentistry and service through providing care to underserved populations locally and abroad, including in Belize, Jamaica, and Kenya. Outside the office, she values balance and wellness, enjoying travel, staying active, and time with family and friends. She draws inspiration from the Pacific Northwest’s natural beauty and dynamic food scene, reflecting her belief that health, longevity, and quality of life are deeply connected.
Tia Dyer
RDH
I am proud to say I am a native of Washington State, I grew up in the Renton area, graduated from Lindbergh High School. After high school went on to Eastern Washington University where I received a Bachelors of Science in their Dental Hygiene program.
After working in Washington for four years, I met my husband, who is a native of Florida. We met in Seattle, then moved to Charlotte, North Carolina where he had a job opportunity. I did my certification to be registered in North Carolina and worked as a hygienist there for five years. As much as we did like living in Charlotte, Seattle felt more like home to us, so we decided to move back to the Northwest in 2004. My friend from my dental hygiene program knew Dr. Christine Shigaki and put us in contact when I returned. I was hired at Belltown Dental in November of 2004 and have been here ever since.
As for my personal life, I have lived in the neighborhood of Queen Anne since 2004. I have two children, a son and a daughter, and a small Maltipoo dog, which is the first dog I have ever owned. I like to take walks, practice yoga, and read. I work part time so that I can help with my family. I volunteer at our local school and do a house building trip for those who are in need in Tecate, Mexico with my daughter every year. I enjoy taking vacations and would love to travel anywhere in the world. What I love about being a dental hygienist is being able to help people with their dental needs and seeing people who embrace their overall health and wellness.
After working in Washington for four years, I met my husband, who is a native of Florida. We met in Seattle, then moved to Charlotte, North Carolina where he had a job opportunity. I did my certification to be registered in North Carolina and worked as a hygienist there for five years. As much as we did like living in Charlotte, Seattle felt more like home to us, so we decided to move back to the Northwest in 2004. My friend from my dental hygiene program knew Dr. Christine Shigaki and put us in contact when I returned. I was hired at Belltown Dental in November of 2004 and have been here ever since.
As for my personal life, I have lived in the neighborhood of Queen Anne since 2004. I have two children, a son and a daughter, and a small Maltipoo dog, which is the first dog I have ever owned. I like to take walks, practice yoga, and read. I work part time so that I can help with my family. I volunteer at our local school and do a house building trip for those who are in need in Tecate, Mexico with my daughter every year. I enjoy taking vacations and would love to travel anywhere in the world. What I love about being a dental hygienist is being able to help people with their dental needs and seeing people who embrace their overall health and wellness.
Joie Portes
Patient Coordinator
Joie has been in the dental profession since 1990 after she obtained her dental assisting certificate from Seattle Vocational Institute. She loves working as a patient care coordinator at Belltown Dental because it gives her the opportunity to provide quality dental care and a chance to interact with people. As an avid learner, she likes to attend seminars, workshops, and other continuing education classes that can enhance her skills and increase her knowledge about dentistry thereby making the necessary modifications to better serve the clients at Belltown Dental.
Aside from English, she speaks fluent Tagalog and Cebuano (two Filipino dialects). Her bilingual ability facilitates communication process with clients who have difficulty expressing themselves in English. She loves camping where she can appreciate nature and relax. She likes to sing, dance, coordinate events for her huge immediate and extended family and play Scrabble and other board games that are challenging. She is actively involved in her church. She lives in Shoreline with her husband and three kids whom she enjoys spending most of her time with.
Aside from English, she speaks fluent Tagalog and Cebuano (two Filipino dialects). Her bilingual ability facilitates communication process with clients who have difficulty expressing themselves in English. She loves camping where she can appreciate nature and relax. She likes to sing, dance, coordinate events for her huge immediate and extended family and play Scrabble and other board games that are challenging. She is actively involved in her church. She lives in Shoreline with her husband and three kids whom she enjoys spending most of her time with.
Jennifer
Patient Coordinator
Jennifer has been in the dental field since 2009 and is one of our full time team members. She first started at Belltown Dental as an intern to see if this was the field she would enjoy. Fast forward 10 years later, she is still here and enjoys what she does. She loves interacting with patients and educating them about their dental health. Jennifer appreciates the opportunity to serve her patients and ensuring patients feels confident in their dental health.
On her days off, she babysits her 2 nieces who keeps her on her toes. She loves traveling, spending time with family, and working out on her free time.
On her days off, she babysits her 2 nieces who keeps her on her toes. She loves traveling, spending time with family, and working out on her free time.
Shayla
Intern
Shayla is an undergraduate at the University of Washington. She starting interning with us in 2019. She is a public health major with her eyes set on going to dental school one day. Her passion for dentistry stems from having family members work in the industry and wanting to improve patients overall health. This intern opportunity has given her the ability to interact with patients while furthering her education in a clinical setting.
In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis and spending quality time with her friends and family. Shayla also enjoys staying busy by partaking in extra curricular activities at school.
In her free time, she enjoys playing tennis and spending quality time with her friends and family. Shayla also enjoys staying busy by partaking in extra curricular activities at school.
