Dentist in Pasadena, CA
The brief descriptions below are designed to familiarize you with our staff's training, professional credentials and work experience.
Paul P. Shinto, DDS
Bert K. Funatsu, DDS
Bryce T. Kato, DDS
Matthew “Hunter” Shinto, DDS
Paul P. Shinto, DDS
Dr. Shinto was born and raised in Southern California. He graduated from UCLA with a degree in Biology and received his DDS degree from Loyola University of Chicago where he received numerous awards for his clinical skills. He was the recipient of the Operative Dentistry Award, and the prestigious Academy of General Dentistry Award, given to the best overall clinician in his class. He has taught at the USC School of Dentistry, is a member of and served as president of the Academy for Excellence in Dentistry, maintains active membership in the Dr. Frank Spear Study Club, Esthetic Alliance Study Club, American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and San Gabriel Valley Dental Society. Because of his lifetime commitment to clinical and professional development, Dr. Shinto is also a member of the Spear Faculty Club. Dr. Shinto is a volunteer provider for the Young and Healthy program which provides dental care for children in need from the Pasadena schools.
Dr. Shinto and his wife, Vicki, have served with their church by leading missions teams to Mexico where they have built several houses for families and have also formed a dental missions team that went to Swaziland where they provided dental care to hundreds of children and adults at the Motshane Hope House. They served in Paraguay with IMAHelps in 2019 and planned to serve in Jamaica this year but the pandemic canceled those plans. Dr. Shinto was very active as an assistant scoutmaster in his sons' Boy Scout troop and is a proud parent of two Eagle Scouts.
Dr. Shinto and his wife, Vicki, have a daughter, two sons, and the best dogs ever, Chanko and Miso. Dr. Shinto enjoys fly fishing, golf, eating, and spending fun times with his family.
Bert K. Funatsu, DDS
Dr. Funatsu was born in Montebello, California. He and his family were interned at Heart Mountain, Wyoming during WWII. After the war, they moved to Maui where he spent his elementary school years. He attended high school on Oahu at Mid Pacific Institute, a private boarding school. His family then moved to Southern California when he entered college. He received his B.S. and D.D.S. degrees from the University of Southern California. Dr. Funatsu is a former examiner with the California Dental Board which licenses new dentists in California. He is a former Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Restorative Dentistry at USC, and is a former member of the Board of Directors for the San Gabriel Valley Dental Society’s Dental Foundation which funded scholarships for deserving dental students.
Dr. Funatsu is currently an instructor with the USC Mobile Clinic, where enjoys mentoring students, helping them to achieve the high standards that he has set for himself. He belongs to several professional organizations including, the Academy for Excellence in Dentistry, of which he was past president, San Gabriel Valley Implant Study Club, San Gabriel Valley Dental Society, American Dental Association, and the California Dental Association. Dr. Funatsu started our practice in 1969. His practice philosophy is based on excellence and doing what is best for his patients. He is beloved by his patients and staff for his kind and caring attitude. He enjoys golf, martial arts (he holds a black belt in judo), reading, and spending time with his family, especially the grandchildren. He is looking forward to the day when he can teach them to golf!
Bryce T. Kato, DDS
Dr. Bryce Kato was raised in Southern California. He obtained a B.S. in Biology from the University of the Pacific and attended the University of Southern California where he received his DDS degree. Dr. Kato furthered his training by completing a general practice residency program at the VA Hospital in Loma Linda where he received high praise from the director, his attending dentists, and assistants. He was well known for the excellent care he provided our valued veterans as well as the kindness he showed to all who worked alongside him.
Dr. Kato believes in providing the best dental experience to his patients. During his time at USC, Dr. Kato participated in the USC Mobile Clinic Program where he treated disadvantaged children in areas around California. He strives to further his knowledge in order to provide the highest quality of care to his patients as evidenced by the numerous continuing education courses he takes.
Dr. Kato is licensed by the Dental Board of California and is a member of the San Gabriel Valley Dental Society, California Dental Association, and the American Dental Association.
We feel Dr. Kato is a perfect fit for Team Shinto as he embodies our Mission Statement which is to provide the highest quality of care with kindness, compassion, humility, and respect. We are confident you will enjoy his warm and gentle nature, and his kind hearted sense of humor. Besides work, Dr. Kato enjoys playing golf, basketball, working out, and traveling.
Matthew “Hunter” Shinto, DDS
Matthew “Hunter” Shinto was born just down the street at Huntington Hospital and grew up in Orange County where he was active in youth sports, Boy Scouts, and proudly attained the rank of Eagle Scout.
Dr. Hunter Shinto graduated from the University of California at Irvine with a degree in Biological Sciences. While there, he was in the Emergency Medical Research Associates Program (EMRAP) where he had the unique opportunity to interface with patients and contribute directly to research projects in the Emergency Services department at the UC Irvine Medical Center, which is a Level 1 Trauma Center.
His interest in dentistry was piqued when he volunteered with his parents for a humanitarian dental missions trip to Swaziland (now Eswatini). He was in charge of organizing and inventorying hundreds of dental supplies and assisted in various dental procedures, including oral surgery.
Dr. Shinto graduated from the University of Southern California School of Dentistry, He was then accepted into the residency program for additional post-graduate training at the VA Loma Linda, where he provided care for our valued veterans. He was a fan favorite amongst patients, assistants, lab techs, and his fellow residents. Dr. Shinto is a member of the ADA, CDA, and the San Gabriel Valley Dental Society.
We are confident you will appreciate Dr. Hunter Shinto’s calm, kind, and compassionate nature and think you will enjoy his dry sense of humor. In his spare time, he loves to snowboard and play golf.
