Our Team
The practice was founded by Dr. Katsumi Kometani soon after he graduated in 1932 from the University of Southern California. He started the practice on South King Street in Moiilili on the second floor of the Yamada building across the street from the present day Longs Pharmacy. Many of his patients were from Manoa, Moiilili, McCully and Kaimuki. He practiced until 1947 when he moved to a cottage located at the present location. Dr. Kometani volunteered and was a member of the 100th infantry battalion from 1942 to 1945. He served as the moral officer, dentist and front line medical officer and was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star medal and the SilverStar medal. He served as President of the Hawaii Dental Association and a founding director of the Hawaii Dental Service Corporation. Dr. Kometani retired in 1972 after 40 years of practice.
Franklin S. Kometani, DDS
Dr. Kometani graduated from Punahou School and attended the University of Hawaii. He received both his Bachelor and Dental degrees from the University of Southern California. He has practiced since 1962 and has recently retired from the active practice of dentistry. He continues to be involved with the practice on the daily basis as the
manager to help ensure that the practice maintains the tradition of "good patient
care" established by his father, Dr. Katsumi Kometani.
Dr. Kometani graduated from Punahou School and attended the University of Hawaii. He received both his Bachelor and Dental degrees from the University of Southern California. He has practiced since 1962 and has recently retired from the active practice of dentistry. He continues to be involved with the practice on the daily basis as the
manager to help ensure that the practice maintains the tradition of "good patient
care" established by his father, Dr. Katsumi Kometani.
Philip L. Nguyen, DDS
Dr. Ngyuen received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance at the University of Oklahoma. He then furthered his education at the University of Southern California, School of Dentistry.
He has been working with Kometani & Associates as a full-time associate since July of 2009. His hobbies include Olympic Lifting and Crossfit workouts. He enjoys eating out and trying new restaurants as well as cooking for his family and friends. He enjoys new
dental and recreational gadgets and technology.
Dr. Nguyen's "Healthy Teeth Tip" is to rinse with water after consuming foods and
beverages, especially beverages that are carbonated or fruit juices; it will go a long way
way to preventing cavities. Also, try to consume one of these beverages in one sitting
rather than sipping on one throughout the day.
Dr. Ngyuen received his Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance at the University of Oklahoma. He then furthered his education at the University of Southern California, School of Dentistry.
He has been working with Kometani & Associates as a full-time associate since July of 2009. His hobbies include Olympic Lifting and Crossfit workouts. He enjoys eating out and trying new restaurants as well as cooking for his family and friends. He enjoys new
dental and recreational gadgets and technology.
Dr. Nguyen's "Healthy Teeth Tip" is to rinse with water after consuming foods and
beverages, especially beverages that are carbonated or fruit juices; it will go a long way
way to preventing cavities. Also, try to consume one of these beverages in one sitting
rather than sipping on one throughout the day.
Carl R. Yamagata, DDS
Dr. Yamagata was born in Hakalau, Hawaii. He went to Hilo High School and upon graduation attended the University of Hawaii where he received his Bachelor degree in Psychology. He then continued his education at the University of Michigan, School of Dentistry.
He worked at Bio-Chemistry Medical Technologists until 1961 where he returned home to the islands and received his State of Hawaii Dentistry License. Dr. Yamagata privately practiced general dentistry from 1962 until 2013. He joined Kometani & Associates in
2013.
Dr. Yamagata's hobbies include golfing, gardening, and walking for exercise. His
"Healthy Teeth Tip" is to floss after brushing and rinse with mouth wash.
Dr. Yamagata was born in Hakalau, Hawaii. He went to Hilo High School and upon graduation attended the University of Hawaii where he received his Bachelor degree in Psychology. He then continued his education at the University of Michigan, School of Dentistry.
He worked at Bio-Chemistry Medical Technologists until 1961 where he returned home to the islands and received his State of Hawaii Dentistry License. Dr. Yamagata privately practiced general dentistry from 1962 until 2013. He joined Kometani & Associates in
2013.
Dr. Yamagata's hobbies include golfing, gardening, and walking for exercise. His
"Healthy Teeth Tip" is to floss after brushing and rinse with mouth wash.
Kevin M. Mizoguchi, DDS
Dr. Mizoguchi graduated from Punahou School and went on to receive his Bachelor degree from the University of Southern California. He then furthered his education at the University of Missouri, School of Dentistry. He has been working with Kometani & Associates since 1987. His hobbies include golfing, surfing and sleeping.
Dr. Mizoguchi graduated from Punahou School and went on to receive his Bachelor degree from the University of Southern California. He then furthered his education at the University of Missouri, School of Dentistry. He has been working with Kometani & Associates since 1987. His hobbies include golfing, surfing and sleeping.
Pamela Miyasato
Front Office Staff
Pamela received her Bachelor degree in Communication from the University of Hawaii. She is a former LPGA touring professional and mother of two sons, Maxwell and Cooper.
Her hobbies include running around taking her kids to aiikido, ukulele, surfing, tutoring, and gardening. Her children recently started a small nursery business that the family is optimistic about. She is addicted to good food, family, laughter and exercise.
Her "Healthy Teeth Tip" is to brush your tongue and get all the way in the back because
daily tongue cleansing helps prevent bad breath.
Front Office Staff
Pamela received her Bachelor degree in Communication from the University of Hawaii. She is a former LPGA touring professional and mother of two sons, Maxwell and Cooper.
Her hobbies include running around taking her kids to aiikido, ukulele, surfing, tutoring, and gardening. Her children recently started a small nursery business that the family is optimistic about. She is addicted to good food, family, laughter and exercise.
Her "Healthy Teeth Tip" is to brush your tongue and get all the way in the back because
daily tongue cleansing helps prevent bad breath.
Julie Keenan
Front Office Staff
Julie graduated from Punahou School and went on to receive her Bachelor degree from the University of Oregon. She then came home and received her MBA from the University of Hawaii. Julie has been working with Kometani & Associates for 8 years. Her hobbies include going to the beach and keeping up with her three boys and their baseball schedule. Her "Healthy Teeth Tip" is to always brush and brush well.
Front Office Staff
Julie graduated from Punahou School and went on to receive her Bachelor degree from the University of Oregon. She then came home and received her MBA from the University of Hawaii. Julie has been working with Kometani & Associates for 8 years. Her hobbies include going to the beach and keeping up with her three boys and their baseball schedule. Her "Healthy Teeth Tip" is to always brush and brush well.
Melinda Lau
Dental Hygienist
Melinda graduated from McKinley High School and attended Washington State University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Zoology. She then received her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from the University of Hawaii. She has been working with Kometani & Associates for 2.5 years. Her hobby is working. Melinda's "Healthy Teeth Tip" is to always floss after meals.
Dental Hygienist
Melinda graduated from McKinley High School and attended Washington State University where she received her Bachelor of Science in Zoology. She then received her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from the University of Hawaii. She has been working with Kometani & Associates for 2.5 years. Her hobby is working. Melinda's "Healthy Teeth Tip" is to always floss after meals.
Katsumi Kometani
Dental Assistant
Katsumi graduated from high school in Okinawa, Japan. She has been working with Kometani & Associates for 10 years. Her hobbies include family time and shopping! Her "Healthy Teeth Tip" is to brush and floss daily.
Dental Assistant
Katsumi graduated from high school in Okinawa, Japan. She has been working with Kometani & Associates for 10 years. Her hobbies include family time and shopping! Her "Healthy Teeth Tip" is to brush and floss daily.
Donna Curley
Dental Assistant
Donna was born in Eagle Butte, South Dakota and grew up in Thoreau New Mexico. She graduated from Carrington College and is a certified Dental Assistant. Donna has been working with Kometani & Associates for a little less than a year. Her "Healthy Teeth Tip" is to come to Kometani & Associates for your crown, mine feels great!
Dental Assistant
Donna was born in Eagle Butte, South Dakota and grew up in Thoreau New Mexico. She graduated from Carrington College and is a certified Dental Assistant. Donna has been working with Kometani & Associates for a little less than a year. Her "Healthy Teeth Tip" is to come to Kometani & Associates for your crown, mine feels great!
Tanya Pescador
Dental Assistant
Tanya graduated from McKinley High School and she is currently in her third year as a full-time student at Kapiolani Community College.She has been working with Kometani & Associates since the fall of 2009. Some of her hobbies include finding new places to eat with friends, shopping and cuddling with her dog while watching Netflix. Tanya's "Healthy Teeth Tip" is to brush lightly and at least for two minutes rather than brushing hard to feel like you're getting the job done.
Dental Assistant
Tanya graduated from McKinley High School and she is currently in her third year as a full-time student at Kapiolani Community College.She has been working with Kometani & Associates since the fall of 2009. Some of her hobbies include finding new places to eat with friends, shopping and cuddling with her dog while watching Netflix. Tanya's "Healthy Teeth Tip" is to brush lightly and at least for two minutes rather than brushing hard to feel like you're getting the job done.
Kometani & Associates: A Professional Dental Corporation
All rights Reserved. © 2014.
All rights Reserved. © 2014.