Meet Our Kids Dentists in Lakewood, CO

Dr. Lawrence Musanje attended dental school at Wuhan University in China and completed his PhD in dental filling materials at the University of Hong Kong. He then attended the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, from which he graduated in 2008. Dr. Musanje takes continuing education courses throughout the year to remain at the forefront of the dental field, staying up to date with cutting-edge dental technology and treatments, and implementing them in our office to benefit our patients. He has practiced in the Lakewood area for since June 2011.

Dr. Musanje is a member of several professional organizations, including:

• American Dental Association® (Member)
• Colorado Dental Association (Member)
• Metro Denver Dental Society (Member)
• American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (Affiliate Member)

As a dentist, Dr. Musanje is dedicated to establishing a cheerful and caring dental home that children enjoy visiting, and to helping all his patients overcome dental anxiety, providing comfortable dental treatments and educating our patients so that they develop excellent lifelong oral health habits. He is a strong believer that excellent oral health is the key to everyone’s overall health and well-being. Dr. Musanje’s gentle nature and years of dental training create a welcoming environment for every patient who visits Shining Stars Kids Dentistry. He understands that each child is unique and takes the time to work with them to overcome dental anxiety and fear.

Dr. Musanje and his wife, Jennifer, have two children, Angie and Judith. When not in the office, he enjoys traveling, jogging and hiking.

Dr. Karl Zinkann (“Dr. Z”) is an orthodontic specialist who received her dental degree, orthodontic certificate and master’s degree from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago.

Dr. Zinkann has been working with children and adults to create fabulous smiles in the Denver Metro area for over 25 years.

Dr. Zinkann is married and has three adult children. In her leisure time, she enjoys hiking, biking and rooting on the local sports teams.

Dr. Artesha Porter graduated from her dental program at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine in 2015 after completing her bachelor’s degree in biology at the University of Colorado Denver. She then went on to pursue advanced education in general dentistry at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, and to this day, Dr. Porter completes at least 30 credit hours’ worth of Continuing Education courses every year in order to stay at the forefront of the dental field.

As a dentist, Dr. Porter’s goal is to be the kind of doctor that children are not afraid, and even like, to visit, and she works to create friendly, warm and relaxed environments. She values each one of her patients and hopes to empower them by helping boost their self-confidence with healthy smiles.

Dr. Porter has been providing exceptional care in the Lakewood area for over eight years. She has one wonderful adult child, and in her free time, she enjoys singing, watching movies and spending time with family.

Dr. Laya Bahrani graduated from Case Western Reserve University before receiving her dental degree from the New York University College of Dentistry in 2020. Even today, she understands the importance of keeping up with the latest materials, procedures and findings in the world of dentistry. She is a member of the American Dental Association and the Metro Denver Dental Society.

Dr. Bahrani has been serving the Colorado community since moving here in 2021. Her goal as a doctor is to educate her patients to care for their oral health and overall systemic health, to provide treatment at the highest standard of care, and to create an environment where patients feel comfortable and cared for.