Laurene K. Duke D.D.S.
Dr. Laurene K. Duke has had a wonderful career thus far in dentistry, and has no plan on stopping anytime soon. She first came to this office at 5 years old. She was a scared young girl and remembers the then practicing dentist Dr. Beckman being wonderfully kind and making the experience so calming. During her time choosing her career path at Long Beach State, Dr. Duke was introduced by Dr. Beckman to his daughter who was in dental school at the time. After her talks with Kristin, she decided to pursue dentistry and attend UCLA Dental School. After graduating in 1984, she worked in various clinics and offices, learning the type of dentistry she did and did not want to practice. In 1985, she was working as an associate dentist in a practice with open treatment rooms but was drawn back to the friendly feel of her childhood garden setting office. She began working alongside Dr. Beckman, and in 1989, he happily sold her the practice. He continued to work so Dr. Duke could have time to be a mom to her three small children. Dr. Beckman always told her to work hard and enjoy what you do, but it is important to make time for family and life. Dr. Duke has managed that balance well and lives by that philosophy daily. In April 2014, Dr. Duke became a recognized member of the Leading Physicians of the World for being the Top Dentist in Bellflower, CA
Dr. Duke is married to Scott, a retired engineer who loves drag racing (talk about a change in pace!). They have three wonderful children who have all been involved in the practice at one time. Her eldest, Wesley, graduated in 2010 with a B.S. in Operations and Logistics Management from Cal Poly Pomona and got married in 2012. Chelsea, who received her B.A. in Psychology from Cal State Long Beach in 2010, works in the practice as the business coordinator. The youngest, Sharon, is a Navy Reservist who graduated with a B.S. in Biopsychology from UC Santa Barbara in 2013 and Chiropractic school in 2019. All 3 kids take after their parents, and some of their favorite family time is spent traveling the US and abroad. Dr. Duke enjoys gardening, photography, and collecting positive quips & quotes. She helps mentor female dental students at UCLA every year and enjoys her volunteer work in the Southern California area.
Professional Education
- University of California, Los Angeles: School of Dentistry
- California State University, Long Beach: Bachelors of Arts
Special Education
- Sleep Medicine Mini-Residency at UCLA
- Clinical Hypnosis in Dentistry
- Laser, Hard and Soft Tissue
- Dawson Academy
- Occlusion and Temporomandibular Disorders
- Geriatric Care
- Spear Study Club
Professional Affiliations
- American Equilibration Society
- Academy of Laser Dentistry
- American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine
- American Dental Association
- California Dental Association
- Harbor Dental Society
- International College of Dentists
- Local Women’s Dental Organization
- Leading Physicians of the World: Best Dentist in Bellflower, California
- World Clinical Laser Institute