Exceptional dental care delivered with genuine warmth and understanding defines Dr. Irene Cruz's approach at Richard Hardt's Live Oak Dental. As a bilingual dentist fluent in both English and Spanish, Dr. Cruz bridges language barriers while providing outstanding general and cosmetic dentistry to families throughout Porterville.
Born and raised in Oxnard, California, Dr. Cruz discovered her passion for dentistry at the age of 10, when a positive experience with her childhood dentist sparked an interest that would shape her career. She now strives to create that same kind of positive experience for every patient — especially the youngest ones. In 2019, Dr. Cruz relocated to Porterville with her family and quickly embraced the close-knit community she now serves.
Dr. Cruz completed her undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science at La Sierra University in Riverside, then earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at Loma Linda University — the same school where Dr. Hardt trained. During dental school, the Alpha Omega International Dental Fraternity honored her with its Excellence in Academic Achievement Award, recognizing outstanding scholarship and leadership.
Dr. Cruz is passionate about pairing advanced technology with personal attention. In our office she works with CEREC same-day crown technology, diode laser systems, and iTero digital scanners, ensuring patients receive efficient, precise, and comfortable treatment. Whether it's a routine cleaning or a complete cosmetic treatment, she approaches each case with the same dedication that earned her academic honors.
One of Dr. Cruz's greatest strengths is her ability to communicate clearly with both English- and Spanish-speaking patients, so language is never a barrier to understanding treatment options or caring for your family's oral health. As a devoted wife and mother of two young daughters, she knows firsthand the challenges parents face at dental visits and works to make every appointment a positive one.
