Dr. Krista Hirasuna grew up on the Monterey Peninsula. As the daughter of a general dentist, she spent many summers working at her father’s practice. She attended Santa Clara University and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. She worked at Lockheed Martin for one year as a circuit design engineer before discovering that this career was not fulfilling and lacked the chance to influence individual lives directly.
Dr. Hirasuna left engineering to pursue a career in dentistry at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). During her dental training, she received the award for “Exceptional Interest in the Development of the Oro-Facial Complex” by the American Association of Orthodontists. In addition, her instructors recognized her achievements in scholarship, leadership, and community service with the Elizabeth Fuhriman Gardner award, the highest honor given by the UCSF School of Dentistry. She was also elected into the dental honor society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon.
Continuing her studies at UCSF, Dr. Hirasuna received two degrees simultaneously, a Postdoctoral Certificate in Orthodontics and a Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Oral and Craniofacial Science. During residency, she researched the use of lasers to remove residual orthodontic composite, or the cement that adheres braces to teeth. She published three articles in peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Hirasuna also presented her research at a national level, and she was awarded the Joseph E. Johnson Clinical Award by the American Association of Orthodontists.
Before joining Orthodontics of San Mateo in 2015, Dr. Hirasuna practiced orthodontics with two of her instructors in the South Bay.
Dr. Hirasuna has the distinct honor of being board certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics. Less than 30% of orthodontists have completed the board certification process.
- American Association of Orthodontists
- College of Diplomates of the American Board of Orthodontics
- Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists
- California Association of Orthodontists
- American Dental Association
- California Dental Association
- San Mateo County Dental Society
Dr. Hirasuna is married to her college sweetheart, John, and they are the proud parents of a beautiful daughter and handsome son. They enjoy outdoor activities, and especially those that include their family. They also enjoy traveling, cooking, and wine tasting, as well as snowboarding and hiking.
