Meet the Doctors

Meet George Shiao, DMD

Dr. George Shiao was born in Taipei, Taiwan. He came to the United States as a young child and was raised in Dallas, Texas. He attended the prestigious Cistercian Preparatory School in Irving, which is adjacent to Dallas, through high school. Dr. Shiao’s close ties to family back in Taiwan have helped him retain his native languages of Mandarin Chinese and Taiwanese.

Dr. Shiao completed his undergraduate studies at Washington University at St. Louis, where he studied biology and history. Four years later, in 1999, he earned his Doctorate of Dental Medicine from Temple University School of Dentistry in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, which is the second-oldest dental school in continuous existence in the U.S. Dr. Shiao was awarded the International College of Dentists Award of Excellence out of his graduating class, and he continuously strives to maintain this high level of excellence in his practice of dentistry.

Following graduation, Dr. Shiao worked in private practice in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He also served as a part-time clinical instructor at Temple University’s dental school while interning for the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Service at Helene Fuld Hospital in Trenton, New Jersey. He spent the next several years after that performing comprehensive oral rehabilitation for special needs patients at Special Smiles in Philadelphia.

A year before his marriage to Dr. Janice Liao, Dr. Shiao moved to California, where his parents had settled after living in Texas. He fell in love with the Tri-Valley area and decided that Dublin was where he hoped to live, work, and raise a family.

In 2007, Dr. Shiao was appointed as a part-time faculty member at the University of the Pacific Dental School Graduate Clinic at Union City. He enjoys teaching, as well as the additional opportunities to learn the most current methods and technology in dentistry. Dr. Shiao has completed hundreds of hours of continuing education, and he is a member of the Southern Alameda Dental Society.

Although Dr. Shiao now resides in Dublin, he considers himself a true-blue Dallas Cowboys fan. His other interests include ethnic cuisine, European cars, and his daughter, Sofia.

Meet Janice Liao, DMD

Dr. Janice Liao was raised in Stockton, California. She earned her bachelor’s degree in physiological science from the University of California at Los Angeles. While working as a dental assistant, she decided to pursue dentistry as a career. Dr. Liao then achieved both her Doctorate of Dental Medicine and her Master of Business Administration from Temple University School of Dentistry. She also met her husband, Dr. George Shiao, while studying at Temple University.

After graduating in 2002, Dr. Liao completed a one-year residency in General Practice with a focus on Hospital Dentistry at the University Medical Center in Fresno, California. She spent the following year in a family group practice in Stockton, where she could be closer to her family. It was shortly before her marriage to Dr. Shiao that she settled in the Tri-Valley area.

Since then, Dr. Liao has committed herself to dental excellence. She has taken hundreds of hours of continuing education courses to develop and hone her skills in cosmetic dentistry, implant dentistry, and oral healthcare.

Out of her accomplishments, Dr. Liao holds her greatest and most important as that of being a mother. Her family is top priority, and she understands the importance of trust, honesty, communication, and support in secure relationships. Her dedication to these values helps set her apart, and it leads to the development of long-lasting relationships with patients. Dr. Liao takes pride in being a doctor you can trust and count on.

Dr. Liao is a member of the Southern Alameda Dental Society, which is an appendage of the California and American Dental Associations.

Meet the Dublin Smiles Team

Audrey Toponce
Office Manager & Dental Assistant

Audrey has been a dental assistant for more than 10 years, and all but two of those years have been with our practice. Audrey also runs our front desk and manages our office’s financial matters. She has become an expert in explaining dental insurance benefits to patients, and she is always happy to do so with a smile! Our goal is to help remove financial barriers so our patients can receive the dental treatment they need and desire. In the majority of cases, we are able and pleased to assist you in maximizing your dental insurance.

Audrey was born and raised in Livermore, California, and she graduated from Granada High School in 1996. She currently resides in Oakley with her husband, Alex, and their labs, Jake and Bella. Audrey was married in March 2008 and will be adding to her family soon! She shares Drs. Liao and Shiao’s value of family. Audrey spends much of her time spoiling her nieces and nephews, and she cherishes her close relationships with her mother and younger sister.

Audrey enjoys volunteering some of her free time to teach the importance of dental hygiene to children. She loves giving presentations at local elementary schools and preschools, because she knows the difference a healthy smile can make in a growing child’s life.

Roxanne Nielsen, RDH, EF
Registered Dental Hygienist Expanded Function, Periodontal Therapist

Current scientific evidence has linked periodontal (gum) disease to heart disease, stroke, complications with diabetes, and preterm low birth weight. Roxanne's goal is for every patient to have a disease-free mouth! Roxanne has been a dental hygienist for almost 40 years, more than half of which has been with this practice.

Roxanne has a genuine desire to help every patient reach their own optimal gum health in a non-judgmental and caring way. She is sensitive to each patient’s needs and concerns, and she strives to be as gentle as possible in the education and care she provides.

The Nielsens are a Dublin heritage family of five generations, after whom Nielsen Elementary School is named. Roxanne is a fourth-generation Nielsen to be born in Dublin, CA. The family's cattle ranching business is headquartered here and runs throughout the western states. Next time you pass under I-680 while driving on Dublin Blvd., look for the cattle in the mural with Roxanne's family's brand.

Roxanne's son, Jeffrey, graduated from Chico State University and was married in 2009. Roxanne is a proud grandmother to Taylor, Jeffrey’s daughter. Roxanne and her husband, Jack Gilbert, live in Orinda.

Lorraine Jacinto, RDH
Registered Dental Hygienist

Lorraine is full-blooded Portuguese and first generation born in the U.S. She has always been very involved in her culture, performing in Portuguese folklore and theatre for much of her life. Lorraine also sang in a band for eight years, where she met her husband, Rui. They live with their two children, Lucas and Mara, in Tracy.

Lorraine’s family is known for their delicious Barcelos Linguica, which can be found in supermarkets all over our area and online. Lorraine has been in the dental field since 1994 and has been practicing dental hygiene since 2002. She really enjoys it!

Diana Tate, RDA
Registered Dental Assistant

Diana has been working in the dental field as a dental assistant since 2008. She loves her work and enjoys helping others. Diana joined our team at Dublin Smiles in May 2010 and is really happy to be here!

Diana was born in Antioch, California. Her family later moved to Oakley, where she was raised. She currently lives in Oakley with her boyfriend, Kenny, and their dog, Zoey. Diana loves to be surrounded by family and spends a lot of her spare time with them. Diana is the oldest sibling in her family and one of the oldest grandchildren, as well, so she cherishes every minute with her family – especially as she gets to see the younger ones grow up.

In addition to family time, Diana likes to spend her free days boating, swimming, and exploring the Delta. Diana’s other hobbies include playing slow-pitch softball, traveling, and volunteering for the local 4-H chapter. Diana was also the 2007 Contra Costa County Fair Queen. During her year-long reign, she was the Contra Costa County Fair ambassador and had a great experience!

Sarah Hall, RDA
Registered Dental Assistant

Sarah became a Registered Dental Assistant in 2004, and since that time has worked for three different private dental practices in Northern California. Her experience includes general and cosmetic dentistry, relief for TMJ/TMD (temporomandibular disorder therapy), and sleep apnea treatment.

Sarah was born and raised in Northern California. When she was a teenager, her family moved to Medford, Oregon, where Sarah graduated from North Medford High School in 2000. After graduating, Sarah returned to California and attained her associate’s degree from Butte College in Chico. She graduated from the dental assisting program in 2004.

Having recently moved to the Tri-Valley area from Sacramento, Sarah looks forward to getting to know Dublin Smiles’ family of patients! Sarah lives with her husband, Kurt, and their furry family of two dogs and a cat. Sarah’s personal interests include being physically active outdoors, working out with her husband, playing the drums, and spending time with family and friends.

We all look forward to getting to know you and your family, too!