About Us
MEET THE DOCTOR
Dr. Brian Kim
Bachelor’s Degree, University of California at Berkeley
Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) Degree, University of California, Los Angeles
After dental school, Dr. Kim was accepted into the highly competitive Orthodontic Postdoctoral Residency Program at Saint Louis University – considered the birthplace of modern orthodontics.
Certificate in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Saint Louis University
Master of Science in Dentistry (MSD), Saint Louis University
Dr. Kim is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics; a distinction held by only a small percentage of orthodontists nationwide. His research has been published in the journal Seminars in Orthodontics. Additionally, he is an Invisalign Certified Provider who consistently participates in continuing education courses throughout the year.
Dr. Kim is also an active member of the American Dental Association, American Association of Orthodontists, Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, California Association of Orthodontists, California Dental Association and the San Fernando Valley Dental Society.
A native citizen of Los Angeles, Dr. Kim enjoys the cultural diversity of the city with its adjacent beaches and mountains. When not concentrating on orthodontics, he loves spending time with his wife Nicole and two daughters, Charlotte and Naomi.
His other interests include following the Lakers (Dr. Kim is a rabid Cal Football fan!) and improving his golf game.
DREAM TEAM
Sandra Montiel
Duties: It is my job to welcome you to our office! I am the person that will greet you, give you a tour of our office, and introduce you to Dr. Kim. As a treatment and financial coordinator, I will help you with all of your financial needs from beginning to end.
In the field of orthodontics since: 1996, and I’ve had the privilege of joining Dr. Kim and his great team since 2014.
My favorite thing about orthodontics: I love meeting our new patients and building lasting relationships. Talking with our patients and being part of the transformation of their smiles makes the job incredibly rewarding for me.
Best thing about working with Dr. Kim: is working for a kind and knowledgeable doctor. Our practice has a lot of fun with contests and cool office shirts. Rest assured that you will always be treated well by our staff!
Where are you from: I am a native of Granada Hills. : )
When I am not at the office: I enjoy spending quality time with my son, family, and friends. I also like to travel, read, paint, and watch comedy movies.
Michelle Montiel
Duties include helping patients and educating them about braces!
I’ve been with Dr. Kim since 2017
My favorite thing about orthodontics is how I get to bond with my patients. Last but not least, getting to see their AMAZING SMILES at the end of treatment!
The thing I like best about working with Dr. Kim is he’s such a caring Doctor, he will make sure his patients and parents are well informed about treatment. He will definitely go that extra mile for his patients and staff!
My patients are great because they are all unique amazing people. I love how they gain so much more confidence as their smile progresses.
I’m a native of Granada Hills
I have two younger brothers.
In my free time, I like to enjoy time with my family, friends, and my two pups Penelope and Cleo
You might not know that I LOVE spicy food!!
Sunmi Ko
Duties: My duties include welcome all of our new patients to our practice. I always do what I can do make sure the people who walk through our doors feel like a valued part of our practice. I also assist Dr. Kim with new patient exams, X-rays, discussing recommended treatment plans, reviewing patients’ financial options and scheduling follow-up appointment.
Worked with Dr. Kim Since: I’ve been with Dr. Brian Kim since 2012, but I have over 6 years of experience in the dental field.
My favorite thing about orthodontics: My favorite thing about working in orthodontics is, of course, the patients. I love getting to know each and every patient who comes into the office, and over time, becoming their friend. Our team always strives to provide the best care to our patients. When patients come to us, I believe that it is our priority to care for them and treat them with the same respect we would our own families. Then getting to watch all of the smiles transform!
My patients are great because: My patients are great because they are excited about having a great smile.
Best thing about working with Dr. Kim: The thing I like best about working with Dr. Brian Kim is seeing his enthusiasm for orthodontics; Dr. Kim puts his heart with great attitude and attention to detail for each patient.
Family Members: I’m a native of Seoul in South Korea and have live in Santa Clarita with the sweetest husband and two wonderful sons.
When I am not at the office: In my free time, I like to spend time with my family, and teaching and lesson planning as an instructor at the Korean Institute of Southern California.
You might not know that I have my College Degree in Art and I teach Korean at Korean Institute of Southern California every Saturday.
Nicole Kim
Duties: Patient care, staff management, business management, and creating seasonal fun programs for our precious patients.
In the field of orthodontics since: 2002
My favorite thing about orthodontics: I get to see a complete life change in our patients. They walk in with smile that they are not sure of (some do not even smile) and are transformed into a person who cannot help but smile at the end of treatment because they are so proud of their stunning change. I get to see the self-esteem of our patients skyrocket when Dr. Kim finishes his work on them. How rewarding that is!
Best thing about my job: I love meeting new patients, creating fun programs for our patients, and most of all supporting Dr. Kim’s DREAM JOB! It’s so rewarding to support your best friend with his dream. Being a middle school teacher, I love learning new things. Working at Dr. Kim’s office allows me to do just that. Going to conferences and meeting people at Dr. Kim’s office, I learn new things everyday. The more I learn, the more new and varied perspectives I see in my own life!
Best thing about working with Dr. Kim: He is so sincere and gives all in everything he does. Helping my best friend who studied and worked so hard to be where he is and continues to give his best in his dream job is pretty inspiring. He also was treated my teeth and made them perfect! Of courses both of my daughters have been getting their orthodontic works by Dr. Kim. He doesn’t just work with his hand and mind but with his heart. He never settles for less than his best in his career, and he inspires me to do the same by being a living example. Dr. Kim ROCKS!
Native of: I lived in the San Fernando Valley since 1988, graduated from UC San Diego and UC Irvine for my master’s degree in my young adult years, taught in the School of Advance Studies (SAS) program at Nobel middle school in Northridge and Rancho Pico Jr. High School in Westridge, and now I am teaching at West Ranch High School. What can I say… I LOVE teaching mathematics!
Family members: My best friend and husband, Dr. Kim, and two precious daughters, Charlotte and Naomi
When I am not at the office: I enjoy teaching H. Algebra 2/Trig and H. Pre-Calculus to my dedicated high school students at West Ranch High School in Westridge. I also enjoy creating fun math lesson for the UCLA Curtis Center for Mathematics and Teaching (former Assistant Director and currently Math Content Specialist) and leading teacher training/ professional development through the program. I absolutely spending time with my daughters, learning how to golf from Dr. Kim, hanging out at the bookstore with my family, cooking Iron Chef style (look through my refrigerator and create a dish with whatever ingredients that are available; it’s fun!), reading education related books, reading History of Math (ask Dr. Kim what he thinks about that), attend orthodontic conferences, eating out with my teacher friends (Yes, teachers do go out), of course solving some math problems for fun, and having friends and family over for dinner.
If you, or if you know anyone taking Algebra I, H. Algebra 2/ Trig, or H. Pre-Calculus, please check out my website at www.mrskimrocksmath.com, that I have created for my students and their parents, for FREE Power Point Notes and many other FREE math-related tutorials.
Marissa Barrientos
Duties include assisting Dr. Kim with patient care, as well as making sure my patients are comfortable and happy.
My favorite thing about orthodontics is getting to see the patients transform and watch as they gain more confidence within themselves.
The thing I like best about working with Dr. Kim is how much he cares for each and every one of his patients.
What I love about my patients is they constantly make my day with all of their beautiful smiles!
I’m a native of Tarzana, CA
I have two sisters and two brothers.
In my free time, I love to go hiking with my family, have game nights with my friends and I love going to Disneyland and eat one too many churros.
You might not know that I have two dogs, Chika and Zor
Araceli Espino
Duties include assisting Dr. Kim and making our patients feel comfortable before, during, and after their treatment is complete.
I’ve been with Dr. Kim since 2016
My favorite thing about orthodontics is seeing our patients before and after treatment. The smile is a universal language and I love being part of the reason why they smile more.
The thing I like best about working with Dr. Kim is that he is very patient with patients, parents and his staff.
What I love about my patients are they are fun to talk to.
I’m a native of Oxnard, CA
I have two brothers and one sister – I’m the eldest of four.
In my free time, I enjoy being around my family, I love going on vacation and making memories. And I also enjoy working out.
You might not know that I have gone zip lining in Costa Rica and I plan on going sky diving soon😊.