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Duane K. Yamashiro
( out of 90 reviews )

Duane K. Yamashiro, DDS

Languages spoken: English

Clinical Locations

Primary Children's Hospital

Pediatric Plastic Surgery
Salt Lake City
801-581-7719
  • Assistant Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery

    Medical Director, Cleft and Craniofacial Program, Primary Children’s Hospital


    Dr. Duane Yamashiro is an Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery at the University of Utah and Medical Director of the Cleft and Craniofacial Program at Primary Children’s Hospital. He was raised in Hawaii, graduated from Loma Linda University and University of the Pacific School of Dentistry. His pediatric dentistry residency was completed at Primary Children’s Medical Center and an Orthodontic residency with a Master’s degree at Loma Linda University, School of Dentistry in California.

    In addition to his clinical practice of craniofacial orthodontics at Primary Children’s Hospital, Dr. Yamashiro has served as Medical Director for the Pediatric Dental Residency and Medical Director of the Cleft and Craniofacial Programs, and faculty of the Utah Regional Education in Neurodevelopmental Leadership (URLEND).


    Interests and passions include, boating, wakeboarding, competitive shooting, trail running and backcountry skiing. The transition from surfing to wakeboarding and skiing was an easy natural change.

    Patient Rating

    4.8 /5
    ( out of 90 reviews )

    The patient rating score is an average of all responses on our patient experience survey. The rating averages scores for all questions about care from our providers.

    The scale on which responses are measured is 1 to 5 with 5 being the best score.

    Patient Comments

    Patient comments are gathered from our patient experience survey and displayed in their entirety. For the convenience of our visitors, some patient comments have been translated from their original language into English while preserving their original meaning as accurately as possible. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

    December 20, 2024
    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

    Dr Yamashiro has been taking great care of my son, who was in a traumatic accident. He is always very patient in explaining the treatment plan, and I always leave feeling a little more optimistic than I did coming in. He has been helping us through a very difficult time, and for that I will always be grateful.

    November 07, 2024
    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

    Dr. Yamashiro is Amazing and one of the Best!

    October 31, 2024
    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

    Dr Yamashiro was so amazing in treating my son after a traumatic incident. He was patient in explaining everything before and after surgery. I'm grateful for his expertise. He was also very sweet with my kiddo during our follow-up appointment and played along with my son's magic trick.

    October 18, 2024
    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

    Fue muy amable con migo y me explicó todo correctamente

    June 28, 2024
    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

    Dr Yamashiro is Simply Amazing!!

    June 14, 2024
    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

    He is answers all our questions and remembers details about my son's life.

    May 02, 2024
    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

    He's been Ariel's Dr and treated her since Birth. Shes now almost 15. The man is simply Amazing. Thank you for changing her life and making a Difference.

    May 02, 2024
    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

    He is personable and extremely capable.

    April 22, 2024
    PRIMARY CHILDREN'S MEDICAL CENTER

    Dr. Yamashiro, DDS always takes the time to answer any questions and explains in great detail what's going on. He is always patient and ensures we understand everything. He's extremely kind and my daughter always feels comfortable with these visits.

  • Assistant Professor, Division of Plastic Surgery

    Medical Director, Cleft and Craniofacial Program, Primary Children’s Hospital


    Dr. Duane Yamashiro is an Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery at the University of Utah and Medical Director of the Cleft and Craniofacial Program at Primary Children’s Hospital. He was raised in Hawaii, graduated from Loma Linda University and University of the Pacific School of Dentistry. His pediatric dentistry residency was completed at Primary Children’s Medical Center and an Orthodontic residency with a Master’s degree at Loma Linda University, School of Dentistry in California.

    In addition to his clinical practice of craniofacial orthodontics at Primary Children’s Hospital, Dr. Yamashiro has served as Medical Director for the Pediatric Dental Residency and Medical Director of the Cleft and Craniofacial Programs, and faculty of the Utah Regional Education in Neurodevelopmental Leadership (URLEND).


    Interests and passions include, boating, wakeboarding, competitive shooting, trail running and backcountry skiing. The transition from surfing to wakeboarding and skiing was an easy natural change.

    Board Certification and Academic Information

    Academic Departments Surgery -Assistant Professor (Clinical)
    Academic Divisions Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

    Education history

    Graduate Training Orthodontics - Loma Linda University M.S.
    Residency Primary Children's Medical Center Resident
    Professional Dental University of the Pacific School of Dentistry D.D.S.
    Undergraduate Biology - Loma Linda University B.A.

    Selected Publications

    Journal Article

    1. Marquez JL, Sudduth J, DeMay H, Kuo K, Battistini A, Yamashiro DK, Siddiqi FA, Gociman B (2024). Early Results on the Efficacy of Demineralized Bone Matrix, Bone Morphogenic Protein, and Freeze-dried Bone Chips in Alveolar Cleft Repair. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open, 12(2), e5600. (Read full article)
    2. Kim EN, Moss WD, Kunkel RP, Yamashiro DK, Gociman BR (2022). Simultaneous Closure of the Cleft Alveolus and Hard Palate with Concomitant Bone Grafting. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open, 10(2), e4099. (Read full article)
    3. Kim EN, Moss WD, Yamashiro DK, Tuncer FB, Siddiqi FA (2021). Management of Tessier Type 3 Cleft With a Novel Reverse Palatal Expander. J Craniofac Surg, 32(8), e814-e816. (Read full article)
    4. Kim EN, Graham EM, Tuncer FB, Yamashiro DK, Siddiqi FA, Gociman BR (2020). Alveolar Bone Graft Stabilization with Custom Maxillary Splints. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open, 8(11), e3214. (Read full article)
    5. Pollard SH, Skirko JR, Dance D, Reinemer H, Yamashiro D, Lyon NF, Collingridge DS (2020). Oronasal Fistula Risk After Palate Repair. Cleft Palate Craniofac J, 1055665620931707. (Read full article)
    6. Graham ME, Yamashiro D, Skirko JR (2018). Management of midnasal stenosis with infant surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (iSARPE). Laryngoscope, 129(5), 1211-1214. (Read full article)

    Review

    1. Kim EN, Moss WD, Rosales MN, Lyon N, Lotz A, Yamashiro DK, Gociman BR, Siddiqi FA, Johns DN (2021). Multidisciplinary Presurgical Education: Clinical Impact on Children With Orofacial Clefts Undergoing Maxillary Distraction via Rigid External Distraction. [Review]. Cleft Palate Craniofac J, 60(1), 75-81. (Read full article)