Dr. Fabiola Lara, DDS
With over 20 years of experience in dentistry, Dr. Fabiola Lara brings a deep commitment to patient care, public health, and clinical excellence. Her journey in the field began as a dental assistant during her undergraduate studies at San Diego State University, where she discovered her passion for dentistry and patient advocacy.
Dr. Lara earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Dentistry. There, she was honored as a Fleming Scholar, an award that recognizes exceptional academic achievement and meaningful community involvement.
A dedicated advocate for equitable care, Dr. Lara began her professional career as a public health dentist, serving underserved populations at the Native American Health Centers of San Francisco and Oakland. Her work as a clinical researcher at UCSF contributed to the development of Caries Management by Risk Assessment (CAMBRA), a groundbreaking evidence-based protocol now widely used to assess and manage dental caries risk in patients.
Dr. Lara’s passion for outreach is seen in her involvement with early childhood oral health education. She and her daughter were featured in the "First 5 California" educational video series, designed to empower parents with practical knowledge about caring for their children’s dental health during the critical early years. She has also played a key role in establishing pediatric dental departments in underserved communities, addressing urgent oral health needs where resources were scarce.
Her commitment to global health has led her to participate in cleft lip and palate surgery missions with international medical teams in Wenzhou, China, and Ghana, Africa, providing life-changing care to children in need.
Reflecting on her philosophy of care, Dr. Lara shares:
“We wanted to give patients a private practice experience, which we accomplished by educating the parents and focusing on prevention over intervention. I told the parents that my success was knowing that their kids never had to experience having a cavity.”
Today, Dr. Lara leads a dedicated team of dental professionals who share her values of compassionate care, clinical integrity, and patient education. She takes pride in the high standard of care her practice provides and continues to mentor and inspire the next generation of dental professionals.