Dr. Precious Ude is a Houston native of Nigerian descent that finished her formal dental education at Texas A&M College of Dentistry in 2020. She then enhanced her training by dedicating an additional year to Truman Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri to provide dental care to underserved and special needs populations. She enjoys traveling, playing with furry friends (even though she’s highly allergic), watching anime and documentaries, but most importantly, enjoys being immersed in the diversity her patient base that hails from the beautiful city of Houston and beyond brings daily to the practice. She’s honored to be a part of our team and is excited to provide conscious, gentle dental care. After all, every smile is precious, indeed!

Shabani Dental in La Crescenta, California, offers advanced general and cosmetic dentistry to adults and children over 12. Elena Shabani, DDS, leads the team, which includes an associate doctor, oral surgeon, anesthesiologist, and dental hygienist, providing comprehensive in-house services.

Specialties offered at Shabani Dental include cosmetic and restorative dentistry, periodontics, and preventive dentistry. The practice uses a variety of cosmetic and restorative treatments, including teeth whitening, veneers, and dentures. Restoration materials include Nobel Biocare Implants™ and custom zirconia, Emax, and porcelain crowns.

Shabani Dental’s hygienist does most of the practice’s regular and periodontal cleanings, including scaling and root planing. Gum grafting, periodontal plastic surgery, and periodontal laser treatments are available for patients with severe gum disease. The practice’s oral surgeon can even perform bone preservation procedures if needed. 

Another specialty at Shabani Dental is Invisalign®: clear, removable aligners that offer significant advantages over traditional metal braces. Patients also benefit from the team’s experience treating sleep apnea with devices designed and made on-site and sinus lift surgeries.

Shabani Dental uses top-of-the-line technology, including a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) machine, panoramic X-ray, and 3D scanners. The practice also offers all-digital X-rays, digital patient charts, and an electronic prescription portal.

The Shabani Dental team is dedicated to providing quality family and cosmetic dentistry at affordable prices. They deliver considerate dental treatment and promote the importance of oral health, caring for each patient’s overall well-being and helping them achieve a brilliant, confidence-boosting smile. Same-day appointments are available for emergencies.

Call Shabani Dental or book an appointment online today for healthy smiles and happy visits.

About Dr. Ha

Tom Ha, DMD, FICOI, FAGD (in progress), is an experienced general dentist who has practiced in the Bay Area and Tri-Valley Area for over six years. At Cedarwood Pleasanton Dentistry in Pleasanton, California, he caters to a diverse clientele that lauds him as gentle, compassionate, and personable.

Dr. Ha graduated with a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in 2008. There, he finished very near the top of his class receiving honors in oral maxillofacial surgery, endodontics, and pedodontics. Dr. Ha does an amazing job in wisdom teeth extractions, root canals and specializes in treating children.

Dr. Ha stays current on the most cutting edge techniques of dentistry. He is certified with dental lasers, Invisalign® and Perio Protect® (advanced gum disease treatment). Still, Dr. Ha continues to go above and beyond for his patients and is always working on additional credentials. Currently, he’s in the midst of his Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry and is already a Fellow in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.

A key part of Dr. Ha’s approach to dentistry is working closely with his patients to discuss goals and achieve perfect smiles. His mission is to deliver high-quality dental work with a gentle touch so that his patients can maintain excellent oral health and enjoy the invaluable boost in self-confidence an ideal smile delivers.

Outside of the office, Dr. Ha, who is fluent in both English and Cantonese, enjoys spending his downtime relaxing with his family.

An extremely skilled and certified dentistry practitioner, Hochan Hwang, DDS, practices general dentistry at Trusty Dental in Riverside, Connecticut.

Dr. Hwang earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery from New York University in New York City, New York. Dr. Hwang did his fellowship with and was implant certified by the International Dental Implant Association. He’s also a member of the International Dental Implant Association, as well as the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the American Dental Association. 

Dr. Hwang practices general dentistry and expertly advises in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the oral cavity, including teeth and gums. Dr. Hwang’s general procedures cover check-ups, cleaning, cavity detection, and more. He also offers more complex treatments such as veneers, fillings, root canals, and extractions. Dr. Hwang is a certified provider of Invisalign® teeth straightening and oral sedation products.

Dr. Hwang always provides high-quality service to all of his patients and offers them comprehensive dental advice.

About Dr. Ku

Wayne Ku, DDS, is an experienced dentist and happy to serve the people of Plano, North Dallas, and the North Texas area at Plano Dental Excellence. Dr. Ku takes pride in crafting beautiful smiles for his patients. He strives to provide the best possible dental care in a relaxed, comfortable environment.

Dr. Ku graduated from dental school at Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas. He also was previously a visiting faculty member at Spear Education in Scottsdale, Arizona, which provides continuing education services for dentists.

In addition to teaching continuing education classes to his colleagues, Dr. Ku is dedicated to his own continuing education and professional growth. He belongs to the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation.

Dr. Ku is a longtime Dallas resident. He and his wife have been married for more than 30 years and have three daughters. When not practicing dentistry, he enjoys reading, cooking, spending time with his family, and staying active.

Aury Arroyo-Lourenco, DDS, is an experienced dentist at My Tooth Place in Westminster, California. She specializes in all aspects of dentistry, and performs a wide array of treatments, including but not limited to extractions, veneers, braces, deep cleanings, and root canals.

Dr. Arroyo-Lourenco was born in Mexico City, where she earned her degree from La Universidad Autónoma de Metropolitana. Later, she moved to the United States, where she earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of the Pacific in San Francisco.

With more than 35 years’ experience in the dental field, Dr. Arroyo-Lourenco’s abilities allow her to provide a high-quality experience for each and every patient in her chair. She feels highly privileged to be able to practice dentistry and improve lives through remarkable oral health care.

Dr. Arroyo-Lourenco is a hardworking dentist and mother. When she’s not treating patients or spending time with her family, she continues to expand her knowledge of dentistry through classes and seminars. 

“I feel highly privileged to be able to practice dentistry and improve my patient’s lives by providing them with remarkable oral health care.”  

Meet Dr. Doris Giraldo, Serving New York Metro Area for over 30 Years

Doris Giraldo, DDS, is a compassionate cosmetic, family, and general dentist at New Dimension Dentistry in Midtown East, Manhattan. Dr. Giraldo has been practicing dentistry in New York City for nearly three decades and is deeply passionate about her profession, and caring for her patients.

Dr. Giraldo graduated from New York University College of Dentistry in 1989 and started serving as a clinical instructor in their Operative Department from 1989 to 1991. At the same time, she opened her own private practice in 1989, and have been practicing at New Dimension Dentistry’s current location since 1995.

Dr. Giraldo loves going to work each day and interacting with her patients. She also volunteers her services in her free time both in the United States and abroad. Most recently, she went to the Dominican Republic in 2018 to donate her dental services there. She is well-known by her patients to be friendly and enthusiastic, and believes in building strong relationships based on trust and communication. She pledges to always listen to her patients and answer their questions as a dedicated partner in their dental care.

Dedicated to continuing her education, Dr. Giraldo stays abreast of developments in her field to offer her patients the best treatment possible. She has completed an advanced two-year program in both surgical and restorative phases of implant dentistry at New York University College of Dentistry, underwent Invisalign training in 1996, and has completed the Aesthetic Advantage program at New York University College of Dentistry.

Dr. Giraldo’s certifications include a Master level in aesthetic dentistry at Rosenthal Institute New York University, a Master level in CAD/CAM dentistry. She also completed a residency in cone beam CT scans, and is an Invisalign Silver Provider. She is a fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists, and a member of the American Dental Association, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, World Clinical Laser Institute, Academy of Laser Dentistry, New York State Dental Association, and New York County Dental Association.

In her spare time, Dr. Giraldo enjoys being with her wonderful family. She and her husband, John, have been married for over 23 wonderful years, and they have two amazing daughters. They all enjoy running and biking in Central Park, and Dr. Giraldo has been a member of New York Road Runners since 2006. She also participated in a NYC triathlon. Dr. Giraldo enjoys road racing and has participated in over 16 half-marathons and four New York City Marathons, breaking her personal record in 2018 with a time of 4:09:19.

Tanner Goodman, DMD, is a family dentist and owner of Goodman Dental Center in Queen Creek, Arizona. Committed to delivering a personalized, comfortable experience, he specializes in helping nervous patients feel at ease about their oral care. Experienced in all aspects of dentistry, from routine checkups to dental implants, Dr. Goodman is passionate about providing outstanding care.

Dr. Goodman graduated from Midwestern University's College of Dental Medicine in Glendale, AZ, where he was awarded the prestigious Dean's Clinician Award out of a class of 140 students.

When not in the office, Dr. Goodman enjoys quality time with his two spirited, joyous children and his wife. To maintain a healthy work-life balance, he also sets aside time for himself to enjoy a day of on the golf course, going to concerts, or appreciating nature's beauty in the great outdoors.

Dalisey Piedra 

General Dentist, DMD 

 Passionate Dentist graduated from Rutgers School of Dental Medicine with experience in Oral Diagnosis, Restorative Dental Oral Hygiene. In addition to my education in the United States, 

I have more than five years of experience in General Dentistry. Hardworking, committed to providing patients with a comfortable and successful experience.  

My passion is having a healthy lifestyle, being with family and friends. Make my patients happy and give them my best smile and quality time.  

Jae Won Lee, DDS, is an experienced general dentist who leads a team of skilled professionals at DHS Dental in Desert Hot Springs, California.

Dr. Lee received his bachelor’s degree from Emory University in Atlanta before going on to earn his doctorate degree from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry in Loma Linda, California.

Dr. Lee approaches each patient with attentiveness and compassion, and he develops individualized treatment plans for each person in his care. A skilled family dentist, Dr. Lee can treat the entire family. He specializes in transforming the smiles of his patients, young and old, with a wide range of dental services, including replacing missing teeth, extracting teeth, and providing dental implants, crowns, bridges, and veneers.

Outside of the office, Dr. Lee makes it a point to lend his dental expertise to the less fortunate. He has provided dental services on mission trips to Central America and at local health clinics in Riverside County and San Bernardino County.

Meet Dr. Wu

Anyone who lives in the Pacific Northwest has a lot to smile about, such as breathtaking scenery, waterfront activities, and world-class dining. At Greenwood Smile Dental in Seattle, Hailun Wu, DMD, takes a personalized approach to keeping each patient’s smile healthy and brilliant at every age. With more than 10 years of dental experience and a first-rate education, Dr. Wu believes in teaching patients about their own specific dental health needs, and the importance of taking an active role in oral hygiene care.

Dr. Wu considers herself a native of the Pacific Northwest since moving to the area when she was just 12 years old. She graduated from the University of Washington, Seattle, and then completed her dental studies at the prestigious University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, in 2009. She attended dental school while working in a private dental practice so she could gain valuable experience before graduation.

At her own practice in Seattle, Dr. Wu takes the time to focus on the individual needs of each patient and to help them understand necessary dental procedures as she performs them. Dr. Wu is skillful, gentle, and detail-oriented, and sees just a few patients each day, so everyone who comes in for services, from routine cleanings to full mouth reconstructions, gets the time and attention they deserve.

For the highest level of personalized dental care, including Invisalign®, dental implants, crowns, and veneers, visit Dr. Wu and the team at Greenwood Smile Dental.

About Dr. Ortale

Dr. Wenli Loo is a general and cosmetic dentist in San Francisco and San Ramon, CA. Dr. Loo has been practicing dentistry for 20 years. She completed her dental education at the New York University School of Dentistry in 2002. She continued her studies by completing a residency at the Veteran’s Affairs Hospital. Dr.Loo keeps current with the latest technology and finds continuing education very important. She has taken numerous advance education courses at The Dawson Academy, The Misch Implant Institute and the American Academy of Clear Aligners.

She is currently a member of:

• American Dental Association (ADA)
• California Dental Association (CDA)
• San Francisco Dental Society (SFDS)
• American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD)
• Academy of General Dentistry (AGD)

When Dr.Loo is not at her practices, she devotes herself to being a mom and loves spending time with her family.

Brian Kraft, DDS, is a board-certified general and cosmetic dentist at Payson Dental and Orthodontics in West Payson, Utah, with more than 15 years of experience. He earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, in Aurora, and enjoys helping patients of all ages perfect their beautiful smiles. 

Patients with teeth that are crooked, stained, misshapen, decaying, or missing can turn to Dr. Kraft for quality care. He offers Cerec® same-day crowns and veneers, fillings, dental implants, Invisalign®, orthodontics, Vivos® technology for sleep apnea, smile makeovers, and more to achieve aesthetically pleasing results and improve each patient’s quality of life.

He maintains his credentials to stay up-to-date with the latest advances in dentistry, using state-of-the-art technology and techniques. Dr. Kraft has been an Invisalign provider for more than 15 years. He’s on the Vivos board of clinical advisors, and is a certified Cerec mentor.

In his free time, Dr. Kraft enjoys hunting, fishing, boating, riding UTVs, and spending time with his wife and six beautiful children. Two of his children are serving on mission trips, two are in high school, and the youngest two are in elementary school.

Dr. Kraft and his experienced dental team warmly welcome patients to Payson Dental and Orthodontics and look forward to helping them achieve the smiles of their dreams.

Dr. Gaitan Sr. and Associates provide orthodontics and comprehensive dentistry services. Dr. Gaitan Sr. is also fluent in English, Italian, and Spanish to better accommodate his patients.

Dr. Gaitan Sr. is originally from Peru. He graduated from San Marcos University Dental School in Lima in 1985 and became a certified Orthodontist from the College of Dentists of Peru in 1991.

Dr. Gaitan Sr. obtained a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree and completed Orthodontic Externship Program in 1997 at the University of Maryland at Baltimore. He then completed his Orthodontic Mini-Residency Program in the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Washington School of Dentistry in 2000.

In 2005, Dr. Gaitan Sr. was recognized with the TUMI USA AWARD in Miami, Florida, for his notable contributions to the Peruvian Community in the US and as an Outstanding Peruvian Professional in the State of Virginia. He treats patients at his practices in Virginia and works as an Orthodontic Consultant at his practice in Lima, Peru.

Dr. Gaitan Sr. and his younger brother Jorge were born in Lima, Peru, and were raised in a family with an attraction to Dentistry. Their father and mentor, Dr. Sixto Gaitan Ortiz, was an Orthodontist and their main inspiration. Together, they completed their studies at San Marcos University in Peru.

After their schooling, Dr. Gaitan Sr. moved to the US to pursue post-grad studies at the University of Maryland. Jorge remained in Peru and is a successful General Practitioner and Faculty Member at their Alma Mater. After additional academic and professional experiences, they decided to practice in different areas of dentistry with the quality and professionalism learned from their father.

Dr. Gaitan Sr. enjoys the beach life with family and friends. He is passionate of boating as well as playing the piano and riding Peruvian Paso horses.

Dr. Gaitan Sr. and Associates provide orthodontics and comprehensive dentistry services. Dr. Gaitan Sr. is also fluent in English, Italian, and Spanish to better accommodate his patients.

Dr. Gaitan Sr. is originally from Peru. He graduated from San Marcos University Dental School in Lima in 1985 and became a certified Orthodontist from the College of Dentists of Peru in 1991.

Dr. Gaitan Sr. obtained a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree and completed Orthodontic Externship Program in 1997 at the University of Maryland at Baltimore. He then completed his Orthodontic Mini-Residency Program in the Department of Orthodontics at the University of Washington School of Dentistry in 2000.

In 2005, Dr. Gaitan Sr. was recognized with the TUMI USA AWARD in Miami, Florida, for his notable contributions to the Peruvian Community in the US and as an Outstanding Peruvian Professional in the State of Virginia. He treats patients at his practices in Virginia and works as an Orthodontic Consultant at his practice in Lima, Peru.

Dr. Gaitan Sr. and his younger brother Jorge were born in Lima, Peru, and were raised in a family with an attraction to Dentistry. Their father and mentor, Dr. Sixto Gaitan Ortiz, was an Orthodontist and their main inspiration. Together, they completed their studies at San Marcos University in Peru.

After their schooling, Dr. Gaitan Sr. moved to the US to pursue post-grad studies at the University of Maryland. Jorge remained in Peru and is a successful General Practitioner and Faculty Member at their Alma Mater. After additional academic and professional experiences, they decided to practice in different areas of dentistry with the quality and professionalism learned from their father.

Dr. Gaitan Sr. enjoys the beach life with family and friends. He is passionate of boating as well as playing the piano and riding Peruvian Paso horses.

Clinical Assistant Professor and Group Practice Director at School of Dentistry of USC. USC Faculty Dr. Ali Makhmalbaf is a Prosthodontist graduated from HERMAN OSTROW SCHOOL OF DENTISTRY OF USC. He is holding the Doctorate degree in dental surgery (DDS) since 1997, and certificate in Prosthodontics since 2007. He moved to California in 2003 where he continued his education at School of Dentistry of USC which culminated with the completion of the prosthodontic residency program.

He also lectures in United States and internationally. He is presently a Clinical Assistant Professor and Group Practice Director at School of Dentistry of USC. He has been awarded for an outstanding and dedicated instructor to the division of primary oral health care at School of Dentistry of USC. Also he has been selected as one of the America’s top dentists by Consumers’ Research Council of America.

Dr. Makhmalbaf has been practicing dentistry since 1997. He has always been dedicated to perform the highest quality of dentistry and standard of care during his over fifteen years of practicing dentistry.

Dr. Makhmalbaf is holding license to practice dentistry in different states included California (CA), Virginia (VA), and Texas (TX). He is a member of American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and Orange County Dental Association.

Published Articles:

• Soft- and hard-tissue augmentation by orthodontic treatment in the esthetic zone.