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.

About Dr. Yu

Kara S. Yu, DMD, FICOI, FAGD, is a skilled general dentist who has been serving patients in the Bay Area and Tri-Valley Area communities since 2007. At Cedarwood Pleasanton Dentistry in Pleasanton, California, her patients appreciate the caring and gentle approach she has to dentistry.

Dr. Yu earned her Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience, Physiology, and Behavior at the University of California at Davis. She then went on to obtain her Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in 2007.  She graduated with highest honors in endodontics (root canal therapy) and took advanced honors courses in periodontics, endodontics, and pedodontics.

Widely respected by her peers in the field of dentistry, Dr. Yu is a Fellow in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and reached the leverl of Master in the prestigious Academy of General Dentistry. Outside of general dentistry, she also excels in bone grafting and sinus lifts.

Dr. Yu is a kind, considerate, and gentle provider whose patients often turn to for full mouth reconstruction. With broad expertise, Dr. Yu can help restore and enhance smiles with dentures, crowns, or bridges. She’s certified with dental lasers, Invisalign®, Perio Protect® (advanced gum disease treatment) and implant therapy. Invisalign is actually one of her specialties. Dr. Yu has been a certified Invisalign provider for nearly a decade and has received Invisalign Advance Certification I and II. She also provides Botox® injections in-office and offers ERA-supported dentures to her patients.

But when she clocks out, her work isn’t done.

When she’s not in the office, Dr. Yu, who speaks English and Cantonese, often volunteers for the American Dental Association (ADA) at the Give Kids A Smile program where she treats underprivileged children and adults, providing services such as gum treatment and root canal therapy.  

When you come to Unique Dental Care in San Leandro, California, you and your family can expect gentle, personalized care in a warm, inviting, and fun atmosphere. The entire team — from the receptionists to expert dentist Rahul Malik, DMD — is committed to helping you get and keep a healthy smile while giving you the friendly, unhurried attention you deserve.

Whether you need to replace missing teeth by getting dental implants or restore the brilliance of your smile with teeth whitening and veneers, Unique Dental Care has it all. Dr. Malik and his dedicated staff are passionate about offering you the latest dental advances, such as cone-beam 3-D imaging and pain-free sedation dentistry. The team also provides services that ensure your overall health, including oral cancer screening, TMJ assessment, and gum disease treatment.

Dr. Malik and his team welcome people of all ages from San Leandro and surrounding areas, including Castro Valley, Hayward, Oakland, and San Lorenzo. If you have a dental emergency during normal business hours, they make every effort to accommodate you quickly and expertly. The helpful office staff can even help you arrange for CareCredit® financing, so you can get the procedures you need, when you need them, and pay later.

Everyone at Unique Dental Care wants to be sure you understand all of the procedures you’re offered and that all of your questions are answered. In addition to being fluent in English, members of the staff speak Spanish, Hindi, and Tagalog.

Dr. Malik brings more than 10 years’ experience in providing everything from cosmetic dentistry to restorative dentistry to periodontics in the San Leandro area. He and his team look forward to meeting you and helping you achieve your dental dreams at Unique Dental Care.

Dr. Elena Davidson is a general dentist and owner at Davidson Dental Group. She is the third generation of dentists in her family, following in the footsteps of her father, maternal grandmother and grandfather.

She attended the University of the Pacific where she received her Bachelor of Science Degree then graduated from New York University College of Dentistry where she earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. Just following this she completed a General Practice Residency specializing in Oral Surgery, Hospital Dentistry and Special Needs Patients.

While at UCSF, Dr. Davidson was chosen to work with young women who had experienced extreme trauma, and was recognized for her compassion and excellent work with that particularly vulnerable group of patients. Dr. Davidson is blessed with two beautiful boys, and when not working, she loves to travel and explore the outdoors with the company of family and friends.

She is a member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and Southern Alameda County Dental Society.

Dr. Davidson is currently accepting new patients and looks forward to welcoming you into the office!

Dr. Alisa Alvaro is a gifted and compassionate family dentist practicing at Creative Dimensions in Dentistry. She sees patients at the San Leandro office on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 8am until 5pm. Her patients benefit from her expertise in a variety of dental treatments, including pediatric dentistry, teeth whitening, veneers, dental crowns and bridges, dentures, and dental implants.

Dr. Alisa Alvaro received her doctor of dental surgery degree from New York University, College of Dentistry, then returned to California and completed her residency at the VA in San Francisco. She is certified in sedation dentistry, which includes oral sedation and nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas. Dr. Alvaro is also trained in placing and restoring implants and is a member of the American International Dental Implant Association. She is also a member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and the Southern Alameda County Dental Society.

Dr. Alvaro volunteers her time treating patients from Delancy Street and has participated in dental service trips to Bali and the Dominican Republic.

Dr. Alvaro has an excellent chair-side manner and has many patients that she has seen from childhood and now takes care of their families. Call the practice or book an appointment online today.

For more than a decade, Dr. Marc Chhina has been treating patients at both the San Leandro and Castro Valley, California offices of Creative Dimensions in Dentistry. He provides expert dental services, including teeth whitening, veneers, crowns, bridges, dental implants, dentures, and more.

Dr. Chhina received his doctor of dental surgery degree from New York University School of Dentistry in 1999. He served in the U.S. Navy as a Dental Officer for three years. He has extensive training in cosmetic, implant, and oral sedation dentistry. Dr. Chhina is a fellow in the International Dental Implant Association, and is a member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, DOCS Sedation, and Kois Institute.

Born and raised in the East Bay, he enjoys being part of the Creative Dimensions in Dentistry family where he has practiced since 2007. He is married to a dentist, and they have two wonderful daughters and a very playful Labrador.

You can schedule an appointment with Dr. Chhina by calling the practicing or by booking online today.

Dr. Shirin Salehinia works closely with her patients at both the San Leandro and Castro Valley, California offices of Creative Dimensions in Dentistry to understand their needs and provide a personalized service in a comfortable setting. She has years of experience in delivering smooth procedures, including teeth whitening, veneers, root canals, dental implants, and dental crowns and bridges to create beautiful and healthy smiles.

Dr. Salehinia received her doctor of dental surgery degree from the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) School of Dentistry and completed a residency program in dental sleep medicine at Tufts University. She has also been a faculty member at the University of Pacific Dugoni School of Dentistry since 1997 as a clinical and pre-clinical instructor of restorative dentistry. She is a member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, Southern Alameda County Dental Society and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.

Dr. Salehinia believes a person’s oral health is related to their overall health and well-being. She helps her patients learn how their lifestyles relate to their oral health, and how their oral health results in a healthier body and a happier life.

Sushma Balakrishna, DDS, is a native of Pleasanton, California, and always aspired to pursue a career in the healthcare field. Today, she leads her practice, Sunshine Dental, and offers exceptional aesthetic and implant dentistry services to her patients in San Ramon and Livermore, California.

Dr. Balakrishna earned her Masters in Public Health and worked at the prestigious Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She then went on to pursue her Doctorate in Dental Medicine from Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine in Boston. Dr. Balakrishna is continually improving her knowledge with continuing education courses, all to provide the most advanced, effective, and conservative treatments possible to her patients.

With a personal interest in the wellbeing of her patients, Dr. Balakrishna takes the time to listen to each individual she treats. She believes that building trust and strong rapports are essential components of quality, patient-centered care. Dr. Balakrishna also takes great pride in educating her patients and encourages them to be advocates of their dental health. 

Outside of her practice, Dr. Balakrishna loves to spend time with her two daughters and her husband. She also enjoys hiking, making healthy meals, and exercising.

Sushma Balakrishna, DDS, is a native of Pleasanton, California, and always aspired to pursue a career in the healthcare field. Today, she leads her practice, Sunshine Dental, and offers exceptional aesthetic and implant dentistry services to her patients in San Ramon and Livermore, California.

Dr. Balakrishna earned her Masters in Public Health and worked at the prestigious Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She then went on to pursue her Doctorate in Dental Medicine from Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine in Boston. Dr. Balakrishna is continually improving her knowledge with continuing education courses, all to provide the most advanced, effective, and conservative treatments possible to her patients.

With a personal interest in the wellbeing of her patients, Dr. Balakrishna takes the time to listen to each individual she treats. She believes that building trust and strong rapports are essential components of quality, patient-centered care. Dr. Balakrishna also takes great pride in educating her patients and encourages them to be advocates of their dental health. 

Outside of her practice, Dr. Balakrishna loves to spend time with her two daughters and her husband. She also enjoys hiking, making healthy meals, and exercising.

Going back to his early teen years, Dr. Cliff Broschinsky at Avalon Dental in San Ramon, California, always wanted to be a professional dentist. While many 16-year-olds had summer paper routes, he was working at a dental office, developing a passion for the field. Now, he’s living out his dream, serving patients from all over the Bay Area and surrounding communities.

In 1989, Dr. Broschinsky graduated from dental school and has practiced professionally ever since. He worked in downtown San Francisco for over eight years before setting up shop in San Ramon. Next year, 2019, marks his 30th year as a dentist, an important milestone to Dr. Broschinsky and his supportive staff.

Dr. Broschinsky’s passion for dentistry is continually growing and he’s always keeping up with the latest technology in the field. He offers his patients the best options concerning their dental health, including services that can restore and improve smiles — such as veneers, crowns, dentures, and implants. At every stage of treatment, the wellbeing and comfort of his patients is his top priority.

His friendly, calm, and relaxed attitude has convinced countless patients that there’s no reason to be afraid of the dentist anymore. Dr. Broschinsky creates a positive experience that makes each patient leave with a smile.

Outside of the office, Dr. Broschinsky enjoys spending time with his family, playing the piano, writing music, or teaching his dog Lola new tricks. He and his son recently started taking Tae Kwon Do and together they enjoy learning new moves at their weekly lessons.

Dr Patel has recently joined our team, but he has been involved in dentistry for the last 13 years. Being a partner he is committed to your long term oral health and experience at the office. He is now setting his roots in the Bay Area.

Dr Patel is licensed to practice in two countries. He completed his BDS in London, at the Royal London Hospital in 2010. There he operated two offices. In 2016 he wanted to challenge himself and begin a career across the pond. He too attained his DDS at the University of the Pacific under the mentorship of Dr Hakim in 2018.

His hard work has been rewarded by induction into Tau Kappa Omega. The dental school organized its Tau Kappa Omega dental honor society in 1927 in an effort to promote honor and service to the alma mater. Doctors are admitted on the basis of ideals, scholarship and character. Dr Hakim is also a member.

His clinical services have been recognized as he was a finalist at the prestigious Dentistry Awards for the Best Young Dentist in the UK 2012. His offices have gone on to win several other accolades.

He has a proven passion to deliver high quality care. He loves to use conservative dentistry to achieve healthy, functional and brilliant smiles. He has special interest in full fixed and invisible orthodontics (using a combination of clear/traditional braces and clear aligner therapy) in order to practice ethical and non-invasive dentistry. He has also developed a passion for implant dentistry.

Outside of the office, Dr. Patel spends as much time with his friends and family as possible. He is fully involved with a local cricket team in Fremont. He remains an avid fan of his boyhood team, Liverpool Football Club. Aside from sports he is a big movie buff.

Dr. Hakim received his undergraduate degree from San Jose State in 1987, followed by his doctorate in dentistry in 1991 from the University of the Pacific. Dedicated to furthering his business acumen, he received an MBA from the University of the Pacific in 1999.

Shortly after graduating from dental school, a perfect opportunity arose to buy a small private practice in scenic, family-friendly San Ramon. Having since moved locations and grown this practice to a strong community, Dr. Hakim has been providing high-quality dental care to many loyal patients since 1992.

A smaller private practice is ideal for Dr. Hakim because he feels it is the best environment in which to provide one-on-one, personalized care. He believes in a holistic approach, which means he is not only committed to maintaining and improving patients’ oral health but is concerned about their overall health. An integral part of that philosophy involves an emphasis on prevention and early detection, so for instance, decay can be kept to a minimum and patients can retain the majority of their natural tooth structure. Whenever possible, Dr. Hakim uses minimally invasive dental (MID) procedures.

Outside of the office, Dr. Hakim spends as much time with his incredible wife and two children as possible. He’s a diehard golfer and takes up the occasional basketball or soccer games, as well. He loves traveling, fishing, and enjoying the gourmet dining throughout San Ramon.

Dr. Hokmabadi obtained his dental degree from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry. Because he has a passion for dentistry, he advocates for continued training even after dental school. For this reason, he has committed extensive time and resources to completing many advanced dental courses in implantology and precise implant placement – and has had his staff do the same.

With both a fellowship and mastership from the International Congress of Oral Implantology, Dr. Hokmabadi has demonstrated the significant skill and the training necessary to place dental implants properly and with the utmost care. Hundreds of his patients have experienced the unparalleled precision that helps him craft and place an implant just right for you. And as a recognized member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation, the doctor possesses exemplary skills not only as an implant dentist but also as a cosmetic dentist. This means that he can help restore, brighten, and perfect your smile – whatever your specific needs may be. Passionate about the Oakland community, Dr. Hokmabadi cares for patients in the Old Oakland area and beyond, and has helped many of those in your community obtain the smile of their dreams.

Outside of the office, Dr. Hokmabadi is married with two daughters. When he isn’t practicing dentistry, he enjoys sports, traveling, and wine tasting.

Dr. Nate Minami was born in Southern California and is happy to still call it home. His interest in dentistry comes from treating a variety of patients and their specific needs. Dr. Minami specializes in cosmetic dentistry, implant restorations and implant retained dentures. He received his dental training at the University of the Pacific Dental School in San Francisco and is a member of the Santa Clara Dental Society, CDA and ADA. When not practicing dentistry, Dr. Minami keeps busy with a wide range of interests. He is an avid golfer, enjoys playing basketball, playing guitar and he attends many of the Bay Area’s finest rock shows, theatres and operas.

A native of the East Bay, Dr. Dennis Prat grew up in Oakland, California, which is why he chose to set up his practice, The Dental Touch, in his hometown to offer the community a menu of comprehensive dental services under one roof.

Dr. Prat earned his professional degree at the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco in 1985. Dr. Prat received advanced training by completing a general practice residency at Veterans Administration Hospital in Miami. After his residency, he maintained a private practice in Hollywood, Florida, for five years.

To broaden his practice, Dr. Prat went on to earn his credentials for Dental Implantology from Harvard School of Dental Medicine in Boston. In 1990, Dr. Prat returned to Oakland, bringing his extensive training to patients in the community.

Dr. Prat keeps abreast of new techniques in dentistry by participating in many continuing education seminars. His professional memberships include the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association, the Alameda County Dental Society, and the American Academy of General Dentistry.

Teodora Mihaylova, DDS, has been practicing dentistry in San Francisco, California, since 2008 and has nearly 30 years of experience in the field. Dr. Mihaylova specializes in saving smiles and preserving natural teeth using the latest technologies in modern dentistry.

At her office in Union Square, San Francisco, she performs general dentistry procedures, as well as cosmetic, endodontic, prosthodontic, and dental implantation procedures.

Dr. Mihaylova combines her passion for state-of-the-art dental care with a firm belief in doctor-patient collaboration. Before performing any procedure, she will meet you one-on-one to discuss your options at length, and make sure you understand everything that will happen.

Dr. Mihaylova was first educated at the Medical University in Sofia, Bulgaria, where she later taught while maintaining her own practice. In 2006, Dr. Mihaylova received her American dental license and began practicing and teaching in the United States. Today, she keeps her knowledge sharp by regularly attending dental conventions and maintaining memberships with several dental associations.

Dr. Mihaylova is accepting new patients, including those looking to correct the results of past failed dental procedures. To receive caring and dedicated care from Dr. Mihaylova, reach out to her office over the phone or via her online booking tool.

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.