Karen is great for nervous patients and kids (she does all work with children herself, and has an open invitation to parents to hang out in the room while she works) and anyone else! I can't speak to the issue of expense, as our insurance foots the bill, but she is great about letting us know ahead of time how much work will cost and what will be covered (so far everything has been).
The office is lovely, there is parking (a plus in downtown Alameda), appointments are always on time. I give Karen's practice my highest marks. We've been patients for at least 5 years.