Meet John R. Liu, DDS, FAAPD
A Note From Dr.Liu
“I enjoy developing relationships with my patients and their parents, watching the kids grow up, and helping my patients get the best start possible for a lifetime of good oral health!” – Dr. John R. Liu
Southern California Roots
Though born in Taipei, Taiwan, Dr. Liu spent his childhood in Southern California. He attended Loma Linda Academy for high school, and then graduated from Loma Linda University in La Sierra, CA, with a BS degree in Biology. Dr. Liu went on to also receive his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from Loma Linda University’s School of Dentistry and was accepted into the pediatric dental residency program at Children’s Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio.
A Dental Career Launched
After completing his residency in the summer of 1988, Dr. Liu returned to Loma Linda University to join the faculty as an assistant professor in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry until 1992. In addition, because of his involvement as part of the craniofacial team, Dr. Liu was appointed as assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics with the Loma Linda University School of Medicine. During these years—from 1988 to 1992—Dr. Liu established a private practice, working part-time, with Dr. Wilfred Nation at the Loma Linda Children’s Dental Group.
Dedication to Kids’ Oral Health
In 1992, Dr. Liu accepted the position as Dental Chief for the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic (OBCC) in Seattle. Because of the clinic’s affiliation with Children’s Hospital and the resulting rotation of residents through the clinic, Dr. Liu was appointed to the faculty at the University Of Washington School Of Dentistry in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry. Following successful relocation and expansion of the OBCC dental clinic in 1994, Dr. Liu entered private practice in Issaquah. Since that time, the practice has grown from a small house on Front Street with three dental chairs to the current location with 10 dental chairs, a surgery suite, and a recovery area.
Professional Memberships
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
- American Dental Association
- Washington State Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
- Washington State Dental Association
- American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
- College of Diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
- Western Society of Pediatric Dentistry
- Seattle King County Dental Society
Dr. Liu is also a medical staff member of the following local hospitals:
- Seattle Children’s Hospital, Medical Staff
- Swedish Medical Center, Medical Staff
Leadership, Honors, Awards, and a Spirit of Giving Back
Dr. Liu is active in a variety of community service, non-profit, academic, and dental association leadership roles. He is an engaged and vocal advocate for kids’ overall health—and volunteers his time on a regular basis. Currently, Dr. Liu is on the attending staff at Seattle Children’s Hospital and serves as an examiner for the Oral Clinical Examination of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
For the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Liu has held a range of positions over the past decade, most recently as secretary/treasurer, president-elect, and then president in 2010-2011. He is a Fellow of the American College of Dentists, served as president of the Washington State Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, chaired the Washington State Oral Health Coalition, and served on the boards of the Seattle Children’s Museum and the Washington Dental Service Foundation. He was recently appointed by Governor Inslee to the Dental Quality Assurance Commission, which oversees all the dentists in the State of Washington. Nominated by his peers, Dr. Liu was inducted into the American College of Dentists in 1999, the Pierre Fauchard Academy in 2007, and the International College of Dentists in 2009. In May of 2013, Dr. Liu was honored by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry as the Pediatric Dentist of the Year, a highly esteemed national award!
Locally, Dr. Liu has been selected as one of the “Top Dentists” by Seattle Magazine in from 2002 through 2008 and by Seattle Met since 2009 when the magazine first started this recognition program.
Family Activities and Drawn to the Water
Dr. Liu and his wife Kari reside in Sammamish with their two daughters, Clara and Tara and their yellow lab Bella. While Clara enjoys dabbling in art, Tara likes the more athletic pursuits, like gymnastics. The whole family loves spending time together in the summer on the water at Grandma’s house in Gig Harbor or closer to home on Lake Washington or Lake Sammamish.
