Meet Dr. Joshua Rosales
Bay Area Native, Dental Wizard, Community Champion, and Hopeful Fisherman!
Born and raised in Hercules, Dr. Rosales is your neighborhood dentist who believes in keeping things both conservative and cutting-edge. Armed with a bachelor's degree in Health and Exercise Science from the University of the Pacific and a Doctorate of Dental Surgery from USC, he's on a mission to make the world smile brighter, one tooth at a time.
While in Los Angeles, he wasn't just perfecting his craft – he was bringing dental care to those who needed it most, from the homeless community to children in underserved areas. His passion for helping others has taken him across borders to Ensenada, Mexico, and all the way to Chiang Rai, Thailand, where he's shared his expertise and taught oral health basics to underprivileged communities.
This commitment to community service continues today as the volunteer Dental Director of the Daniel S. Tanita Peres Clinic, where he provides free dental care to K-8 students at Peres Elementary School in Richmond. After Dr. Tanita's retirement in 2018, Dr. Rosales stepped up to help reopen this vital program, ensuring that local children continue to receive the dental care they deserve.
As an active member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, Contra Costa Dental Society, and Richmond Rotary, Dr. Rosales is always hungry for knowledge (but never for sugary snacks!). He's constantly updating his skills with the latest dental techniques, helping patients boost their confidence and actually enjoy eating again. And here's a fun fact: he's serious about the mouth-heart connection, making sure his patients know that a healthy smile means a healthy heart.
When he's not transforming smiles, you'll find Dr. Rosales in full dad mode with his daughter Addison, or taking nature walks with his loyal companion Kiwi, a charismatic doberman/german shepherd mix. He's an avid weightlifter, a devoted 49ers fan, and a persistently optimistic fisherman who has yet to catch his first fish (but hey, there's always next time!). He also loves exploring different cuisines and getting his game on – whether board or video – with his niece and nephews.
Meet Dr. Lisa Pham
Spider Researcher Turned Tooth Expert, Musical Enthusiast, and Self-Proclaimed One-Mile Hiker!
Bay Area native, Dr. Pham's journey to dentistry took a fascinating detour through the world of arachnids. At the University of the Pacific, she earned her Masters in Biology studying spider silk proteins – and no, she didn't gain any special dental powers from radioactive spider bites, though wouldn't that make filling cavities more interesting?
After deciding that working with teeth was slightly less scary than working with spiders, she earned her Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco. A leader in her field, she's served on the Contra Costa Dental Society board since 2019 and currently serves as President of the Contra Costa Children’s Health Foundation (2022-2025). She's also an active member of the American Dental Association and California Dental Association, where she puts her expertise to work making people smile (and occasionally humming show tunes while doing so).
As President of the Children’s Health Foundation and family dentist, Dr. Pham has a special knack for working with kids – perhaps because they share her enthusiasm for musical numbers! Her commitment to community service has taken her to Jamaica with the 1000 Smiles project, and she's a regular volunteer at CDA Cares events, proving that giving back never goes out of style.
When she's not crafting perfect smiles, you'll find Dr. Pham spending quality time with her daughter Addison and their family dog Kiwi (co-parented with her husband, Dr. Rosales – yes, they're dentistry's dynamic duo!). She's passionate about reading, traveling, cooking, and enjoying the great outdoors – but strictly in one-mile increments. Any hikes longer than that are strictly Dr. Rosales's territory! And if you're looking to strike up a conversation, just mention K-dramas or Broadway musicals – she'll be your new best friend.
A Legacy of Care:
Remembering the Late Dr. Daniel Tanita
For over four decades, the late Dr. Daniel Tanita was more than just the owner of this practice – he was a pillar of the West Contra Costa County community and an inspiration to the dental profession. After retiring in 2018, he entrusted his legacy to Dr. Rosales and Dr. Pham, who continue to uphold the practice philosophy he established at San Pablo Smiles.
Dr. Tanita's journey in dentistry began at the University of the Pacific Dental School in San Francisco, where he earned his Doctorate of Dental Surgery. He further enhanced his expertise with specialized training in Cosmetic Dentistry under Dr. Harry Albers at the University of California, San Francisco.
His commitment to community service was exemplary. As an active volunteer in West Contra Costa County, he established the Free Dental Clinic for low-income children and served as a volunteer director at the Brookside Community Dental Clinic. His dedication to helping others extended beyond dentistry – as a devoted member of the Richmond Rotary Club, he hosted international dental professionals in March 2007 through the Rotary's Productivity Enhancement Program, helping to foster entrepreneurship at the grassroots level.
Though originally from Arizona, Dr. Tanita made the San Francisco Bay Area his home for over 30 years, where he lived with his family until his passing in September 2022. His legacy lives on through the countless lives he touched and the community he helped build.
