We welcome you to meet our dentist and his terrific dental team, who is available to take care of your family’s dental health needs, in Palo Alto, California. At Beckstead Dental Group, we are proud to offer our services and hope you will contact us for an appointment!
Davis Beckstead, DDS
Dr. Beckstead graduated from the prestigious University of the Pacific dental school in San Francisco. While a dental student, he was able learn and perform all aspects of dentistry.
Dr. Beckstead was born and raised in Los Altos, California. He is a third-generation dentist with his dad, Mark Beckstead, DDS, who has been a periodontist (gum specialist) in this area for over 30 years. His dad has played a big role in him wanting to be a dentist. It was working at his dad’s office at a young age that ignited his desire to become a dentist himself. Seeing the changes that he made for his patients along the way helped him see what dentistry is all about, which are the relationships and friendships with all of you.
This allowed him to find his passion helping patients achieve a healthy and functional smile. Seeing the changes in patients and the confidence they gained after creating their smile was truly eye opening. He loves being able to help patients achieve their goals of having a smile that they love.
His wife, Johnna, and he have three wonderful children that keep them very busy. Vivian is at Addison elementary. She loves dancing, singing and being a big sister to her two younger brothers. Sam is full of energy and loves race cars. He is rarely found without a toy car in his hand, racing it through the house. Bennett has been a great addition to our family. He is a great baby, and he puts up with Vivian and Sam, who are kissing and hugging him all the time.
Mimi Salkola, DDS (Dr. Mimi)
I have been very fortunate to have chosen a career where I look forward to coming to work every day since 1998. Seeing my patients in the office is like seeing “Old Friends”. I grew up in San Jose and graduated from UCSF where I received many awards for academic excellence and earned a place on the Dean’s List. I have been a long time member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association and Mid-Peninsula dental society. My love for dentistry shows through when I am treating my patients. I strive to be as gentle as possible while creating beautiful and “perfect” dentistry. My motto is “fun, friendly and exceptional dental care”. My goal is to make every one of my patient’s visits pleasant and enjoyable. In my spare time, I enjoy watching funny movies with my two sons. I also volunteer in their schools, where I teach the children about dental health and help raise funds for the schools. I love music and will sing all day if I am allowed. My Karaoke parties are well known in my neighborhood. I also enjoy going to the opera with my husband and take long, long walks, especially in the rain. In addition, I can bake bread that will make a grown man cry, a skill I learned from Eske, a friend who used to be a patient in this office until he moved back to Denmark. My latest passion is hula dancing which I’ve been learning mostly from YouTube videos. Who knows…. you might just get a hula performance instead of a filling the next time you are in the office. Aloha!
MEET OUR TEAM
Admins
Deborah Glerum – Practice Manager
Hi there… everybody knows me as Deb, I am the “behind the scenes” person keeping the wheels turning at Beckstead Dental. I was born In San Francisco, raised in Palo Alto, and am the second oldest in a family of seven children. I am also a graduate of Cubberley High and have been a member of this community for over 40 years. I entered the dental field right out of college, married a dentist and the rest is history. I feel very fortunate to have been mentored by the best in the dental field. I have two beautiful daughters, Jessica and Julia, and two incredible grandsons. I enjoy gardening, traveling to the islands, finding a “good read” and eating my husband’s gourmet cooking (so does the staff). My true passion is Hula and I have been active with my local halau in Half Moon Bay for over 7 years; you could easily catch a glimpse of us performing in and around the community just for fun!
I am passionate about my work and feel blessed to be apart of this loving and caring dental family!
Lacey Vanderzyl – Treatment Coordinator
Hi, my name is Lacey! I’ve been here since February 2019 and started out as the Hygiene Coordinator and am now the Treatment Coordinator. I enjoy working with people and helping them any way I can. This is a fun, caring office (and the 4 legged coworkers don’t hurt either!) I was born and raised in Redwood City and love the Bay Area. I enjoy going to concerts, camping, traveling, and overall just laying back and relaxing and enjoying life with my friends and family!
Monica Romero, Hygiene Treatment Coordinator
Hi my name is Monica Romero, I am the hygiene coordinator for the office. I started working in the dental field since I was 18. I am the one you will see when you first walk in and probably the first one to answer the phone most of the times . I will be the one to help you schedule your teeth cleanings with the hygiene and all your follow ups with her. I have been married for 25 years and have 4 children, that are not so children anymore. My boys are 24, 20 and 16 and my daughter is 14. I live in Palo Alto and love my community. I enjoy going to church on Sunday with my family and going to my kids soccer and basketball games. I also enjoy going out on dinner dates with my husband.
Hygienists
Judi McKenna Edwards, RDH
I grew up here in Palo Alto with a loving family and wild times. I went to the University of New Mexico, Las Vegas and got my dental hygiene degree from Foothill College. I enjoy keeping the legacy of my father, Dr. JB’s practice going. My passions are my husband, my daughter, my two grandchildren, and of course, my dog, Callie-Jo. I love spending time with my family, traveling, going on walks, friends, cooking and being out doors. I enjoy my family; most of you knew my father, J.B., who started Beckstead Dental back in 1958. He was one of a kind and had the biggest heart.
Natalie Huffman, RDH
I am Natalie, proud to be a part of Beckstead Dental Group! I’ve been a Registered dental hygienist for 30 years. I was born as raised in the Bay Area and it was my dentist I had growing up who convinced me to go into dental and not become a physical therapist. He knew me well! I love the relationships I build with my patients, with trust being the most important. I have two children, , Jaxon and Quinton. In my free time I love being with my friends and family having fun! I LOVE to travel. Fun fact, I’ve been to more countries than I have states. I plan to even this out, so stay tuned!
Assistants/DAs
Carmen Maldonado, RDA
I have been in the Dental field since 2004. I love all aspects of dentistry but Assisting with Cosmetic Dentistry is what I enjoy the most.
The most rewarding part of my job is seeing patients happy with their smile. Gentle care, and making patients feel comfortable is very important to me. During my free time I enjoy learning new things, working out, running, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.
Vivian Nguyen RDA
Vivian has mastered her skills working chairside assisting since 1999.
She has worked long and hard to become a very knowledgeable & competent assistant. Vivian received her California State Registered Dental Assistant License in 2003. She enjoys staying current with continued education courses & dental technology. Vivian truly enjoys working in a profession that has allowed her to develop her talents & relationships with patients. Her goal is to provide an efficient and uneventful appointment taking pride in making patient’s visits a pleasant experience. Vivian enjoys utilizing her knowledge & answering any questions you may have concerning dental care.
Outside of the office Vivian enjoys spending family time with her husband Quan of 22years and her two children Heleen & Kyle
Cira Diaz DA
Hello my name is Cira! I have been working at Beckstead Dental Group for over a year now. I have been in the healthcare industry for more than 6 years first working in Assisted living communities then making my way to the dental field. In my free time I love to go to concerts, read, visit SF, and spend time with friends and family!