Dr. Elena Rumack is among a select few board-certified specialists in pediatric dentistry. She has been providing exceptional care to infants, children, adolescents, and those with special needs since 2002.
Dr. Elena obtained her DDS degree from UCLA. After completing a year of general practice residency specializing in the care of special needs patients, she discovered that working with children was her passion. She returned to UCLA to complete another residency specializing in pediatric dentistry.
Affectionately known as the Tooth Whisperer to her patients, Dr. Elena has a special way of putting children at ease. Her empathy for children encountering dental care for the first time allows her to put herself in their shoes. By letting them take an active role and, where possible, giving them options on how care is provided.
Dr. Elena alleviates the anxiety many children feel when going to the dentist. Establishing this initial trust allows her to treat her patients gently and effectively. In addition, she employs special techniques to deliver dental injections so painlessly that most of her dental patients dont even know theyve been given a shot!
Dr. Elena strongly believes in preventive dentistry and as such, focuses on nutrition, prevention, education, and positive reinforcement in a nurturing environment. To encourage early prevention of dental disease, she prefers to begin her doctor-patient relationship with your child by age one, as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Her vision is to expertly serve the community and to further awareness of oral and general health. Dr. Elena also furthers dental education at the professional level, serving as a lecturer and providing clinical instruction at the UCLA Department of Pediatric Dentistry, teaching both pediatric residents and dental students.
When away from the dental chair, Dr. Elena loves being a mom to her two boys. She also enjoys golf, tennis, skiing, scuba diving, traveling, and reading. She is married to William Rumack, M.D., an orthopedic surgeon at West Hills Hospital.
Dr. Lecia Harmer was born and raised in Michigan. She attended the University of Michigan and graduated with a B.S. in Biochemistry with High Honors. Tired of the relentless weather, Dr. Harmer decided to attend UCLA School of Dentistry. In 2006, she received her D.D.S. concurrently with her M.S. in Oral Biology from UCLA. Dr. Harmer was elected by her professors into the national dental honor society Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU), an honor given to only the top 10% of the graduating class. Dr. Harmer also received UCLAs award in Pediatric Dentistry, given to the top two students demonstrating promise in the field of pediatric dentistry.
Dr. Harmer completed her pediatric dental residency at UCLA in 2008 and became board certified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry in 2009. Dr. Lecia is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, the California Society of Pediatric Dentists, the San Fernando Valley Dental Society, and the National Association of Professional Women.
Dr. Jean Kang was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She grew up in the city of Diamond Bar and she graduated from Scripps College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology. Dr. Kang obtained her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at UCLA where she was awarded the Wyatt Rory Hume Scholarship for her dedication to community service. She then completed her pediatric dental residency at UCLA in affiliation with the Ronald Reagan Medical Center where she was the Chief Resident and received the Section of Pediatric Dentistry Award and the Scott Jacks Award of Excellence for Outstanding Resident.
Dr. Kang also currently serves as faculty at the UCLA Department of Pediatric Dentistry. She is also a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, California Society of Pediatric Dentistry, and the Southern California Society of Pediatric Dentistry.
Besides providing individualized quality care to her patients, Dr. Kang believes in fostering long-lasting relationships with her patients and their families and providing them with a dental home where they can learn to lead happier and healthier lives. She also believes in empowering children and their families to make choices for a lifetime of good oral health and providing positive experiences that will enrich their lives.
After graduating from UCLA with a B.S. in physiological sciences, Dr. Jason traveled north to dental school, where he attended UCSF. He graduated #2 in a class of 91 and was elected to Omicron Kappa Upsilon (OKU), the national dental honor society. He completed his orthodontic residency in 1999 at UCLA, where he was chief resident. His research project was published in the American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics, the leading peer-reviewed journal in the profession.
Dr. Jason serves on the board of the San Fernando Valley Dental Society, where he was president in 2007. He is a clinical instructor in the UCLA orthodontic residency program. He continues to lecture to UCLA dental students and orthodontic residents and served as alumni president in 2006. He is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association, and the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists. In recent years, besides lecturing at UCLA, he has lectured to the California Dental Assistant Society, the San Fernando Valley Dental Assistant Society, the ROP program of Santa Clarita, and to the students, faculty, and alumni of the University of Francisco Marroquin in Guatemala.
Dr. Jason has 4 four children and with his wife, Janette, they love to travel and hike. Dr. Jason also enjoys surfing, skiing, photography and woodworking. He has participated in various volunteer dental organizations, traveling to Guatemala, Mexico and Israel.
Dr. Michael Hoang is a board-certified orthodontist who grew up in sunny Southern California. He graduated magna cum laude from University of California, Irvine where he earned his B.S. in Biological Sciences and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. He then continued his education at UCLA School of Dentistry, where he graduated with honors. Finally, he stayed to complete his Orthodontic residency at UCLA, where he served as chief resident and concurrently earned his M.S. in Oral Biology.
Dr. Michael comes from a Bruin family of dentists, joining his father who also graduated from UCLA Orthodontics and his sister, who recently graduated from UCLA School of Dentistry. At UCLA, Dr. Jason Pair served as his clinical instructor during residency. Recently, Dr. Michael has joined Dr. Jason to lead treatment planning seminars at UCLA Section of Orthodontics and provide technical clinical instruction to the residents. He currently serves as President of the UCLA Orthodontic Alumni Association and is a member of the American Association of Orthodontics, the California Association of Orthodontics, the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association, and the Western Los Angeles Dental Society.
Dr. Michael enjoys spending time with his family and friends, hiking, and traveling internationally. He has participated in various volunteer dental organizations, traveling to Honduras, Mexico, and Vietnam.
A board-certified pediatric dentist, or Diplomate, is a pediatric dentist demonstrating exceptional knowledge of and expertise in pediatric dentistry. Candidates for board certification must have their credentials verified by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and successfully complete a voluntary examination. Preparation for the certification examination can take upwards of 2 years or more. A pediatric dentist with this level of certification exhibits a drive and determination for excellence in the field of pediatric dental health and a commitment to staying current with the latest advances in the field.
Drs. Rumack and Harmer have attained their certification with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, which represents the highest possible credentials within the field of pediatric dentistry. Less than 38% of all pediatric specialists in the United States are board certified. When your child is in the care of a board-certified pediatric dentist, they are being treated by the best of the best!
Dr. Rumack is a wonderful pediatric dentist. I only wish she treated adults too, because I wouldnt dread going to the dentist if it was to see her! My three children, ages 6, 10, and 12, have been going to Dr. Rumack for almost two years. She is by far the best dentist for children I have ever been to or could possibly imagine. My children dont mind going to the dentist because the staff is wonderful, there are TVs with Netflix at every chair. The office is also green and totally computerized. The Xray equipment is state-of-the-art low r...
I have been taking my twin daughters to Dr. Rumack since they were 2 and they are now 7. Dr. Rumack is so gentle, sweet and very thorough in taking care if their dental hygiene. Over the years we have visited her quite a few times for different issues. And her compassion and making the girls feel comfortable is why we love her. Because she is a mother herself she understands how to approach kids and make them feel comfortable when either filling a cavity, pulling a tooth out or just simply cleaning their teeth. Her office is so beautiful ...
A quote from my 8 year old.... 'Momma, Dr. Elena 's office is better than going to the movies, they let me lay down & watch my favorite shows. I think I should go there once a week, like dance class, it will be good for me.' Now what kid LOVES going to the dentist? One that is a patient at Calabasas Pediatric Dentistry, that 's who! As a parent I will bend over backwards & drive miles away (as I do) to know that my daughter is getting the best treatment, in a caring atmosphere where the patient comes first. Dr. Elena Rumack is this & so muc...
I have only the best things to say about Dr. Elena and her whole staff. I have 3 children, and going to the dentist hasn't been a very positive experience for our family in the past, but Dr. Elena demonstrated amazing patience, warmth, dedication and professionalism. I could tell she treated my children the way she would want her own children to be treated. Dr. Elena has laid the foundation for a relationship that can only get better with time. I want all my children to grow into adulthood and not dread going to the dentist. Dr. Elena has se...
Reviews
Rating 5.0 out of 5 based on 13 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestDavid Gunn
2 years ago
Im an MD, as is my wife, and we were both completely impressed with the professionalism of the office and the care they took to make sure our son was comfortable and everything went off without a hitch. 10/10 would recommend.
Venu Sanz
2 years ago
We feel incredible grateful for having found Dr. Rumack. Our son was born with tongue-tie and it was a nightmare having him to breastfeed. We called Dr Rumack on a Friday in February and even though she was booked up until April, she took us in the day after at 08:00 am to make the procedure. During the whole session, my husband and me felt incredible heard and we got the feeling that she really cares about her patients. She is super friendly, very professional and she took the time to explain what was happening with our son's tongue-tie, show us all the exercises that we need to do afterwards and she even followed up the next day with our IBCLC to check on my son's breastfeeding skills after the procedure. Also, the procedure also includes two follow up visits to make sure that the tongue tie is healed properly. Again, me and my husband feel incredible grateful for having found her and would highly recommend her to anyone experiencing problems related to tongue-tie!!!!
Hourig Maz
2 years ago
Dr. Rumack is incredibly knowledgeable, professional, kind-hearted, empathetic, and extremely compassionate. The staff is equally friendly, patient, and helpful with our kids. She deservingly as earned her title as the "tooth whisperer". She has such a way with kids and have made our experiences, which can be filled with angst, a pleasurable and enjoyable experience every time we are with her. Her way of talking to our kids, explaining procedures to them so they know what to expect every step of the way is a true testament to her work ethic and being.
Kent Lau
2 years ago
My son was born with a tongue tie and we were recommended to have it evaluated and released. We were referred to Dr Rumack by my brother-in-law, an orthodontist, who also strongly recommended the procedure to be done. The procedure itself was completed with a laser...quick and no bleeding. However, I was most impressed by Dr Rumack taking the time to explain her recommendation and the latest dental science as it relates to breastfeeding and tongue ties. I can tell she really enjoys educating her patients so that they can make the best decision for their children. Before we left, she made sure we understood the crucial post operative care and showed us on a model the exercises that need to be performed to ensure proper healing. It's almost a week since my son had the procedure and I can tell he's already feeding better! My wife and I are so thankful to have been referred to Dr Rumack and we recommend her with enthusiasm!
Michelle Hoang
2 years ago
We had a wonderful experience with Dr Rumack releasing our newborn son's tongue tie. The procedure itself is very quick (maybe less than 5 min) but Dr Rumack took her time to explain benefits of the procedure. Baby boy is still healing, but does not appear to be in any discomfort. He is now successfully breastfeeding and packing on the cute baby fat. Happy baby means happy parents. Thank you Dr Rumack
Jeffrey Abramson
2 years ago
Our lactation consultant was quick to identify that our newborn had both a tongue and lip tie. Both she and our pediatrician referred us to Dr. Rumack's practice and their laser procedure. The process and recovery were super efficient and seemingly with very little pain based on how quickly our little girl adapted. We feel so very lucky to have found Dr. Rumack who had become a one-of-a-kind specialists in these procedures. Her bedside manner, and her breast-feeding and other infant knowledge, were very comforting. We'd highly recommend her and her practices. Even though they quite far away from where we live, we will seriously consider bringing our daughter here for her regular dental needs as well.
Caitlin Borunda
2 years ago
I feel so compelled to write a glowing review to express my complete adoration and respect for Dr Rumack and her staff!! After struggling many weeks with nursing my newborn, I was referred to Dr. Rumack for a possible tongue tie issue. Not only does she do the procedure in office (and only takes about 10 min) but she was able to squeeze me into her very packed schedule the day that I called, knowing how much pain I was in and how I wouldn't be able to nurse much longer in this misery. Turns out my son not only had tongue tie but also lip tie and was clearly the reason for the difficulty I was experiencing breast feeding. Not only that, Dr. Rumack spent SO much time with me explaining the other complications this could cause if I didn't get it treated, she answered my hundred questions, comforted me in my struggle, and made me feel so good about the decision to get this taken care of. In addition, I love that she insists on a follow up visit to make sure everything is healing properly and to check in with me and my son. Nursing is going beautifully now and I am so glad I didn't give up! I highly recommend Dr. Rumack and her kind, comforting and knowledgeable team. I knew nothing about tongue tie before having gone through this with my 3rd son, and I have so much gratitude for what she does. See photo for tongue tie before and after.
Tiffany campbell
2 years ago
I can't say enough amazing things about this practice and Dr. Rumack!!! My 3 kiddos have been seeing her since they were 2 and they love going to the dentist!! I wish I had her when I was a kid!! Just had a son with a chipped tooth and she made it look like nothing had happened!! Love love love
Sarah S
2 years ago
We feel so lucky that we found Dr. Rumack! Our daughter had a unique lip/tongue tie that Dr. Rumack was able to help resolve. It was night and day for us as parents following the procedure! We love Dr. Rumack's communication and calming demeanor. She is always so insightful and helpful. We look forward to every appointment we have with her!
Gina McNulty
2 years ago
Dr. Rumack successfully released our newborns tongue tie and lip tie. Our first born was also tongue-tied and lip-tied, so with our second, from what we experienced (and had been told by our lactation consultant), we knew that our new little guy was probably tied up as well. Dr. Rumack was so extremely thorough in detailing the assessment, process, and outcomes and consequences if we chose to release the ties or leave them. She released them that same day and with the follow up, confirmed that the ties hadn't reattached... and breastfeeding became so much easier! Many thanks to Dr. Rumack and her team.
Joyce Ellen Theilig
2 years ago
I'm a bit speechless about my experience with Dr. Rumack! It's because I have never experienced anything like it before. We were referred by Dr. Kawasaki who I'm very grateful for. I want to break this down. First the front office : They were very nice kind and friendly ! They also will open the door for you knowing you will be carrying a carrier and a baby or have a stroller. They are very organize and made sure to remind me about our appointment and answered all my questions in detail the best they can . The office: I have never seen such a beautiful and clean dentist office before. When you enter they have refreshments for you and there are tables like in a cafe. The rooms where patients are seen is so cute and have rocking chairs and they take your child's feeding in consideration and makes sure if you need to nurse they'll give you privacy and time . Last but not Least! DR. Elena Rumack: I didn't really want to go in for my little one because I was so nervous and scared honestly. But Dr. Rumack helped me and talked me through everything and made sure it was our choice and that I was comfortable with anything that was needed to be done. I felt a really positive energy from her and trusted her . She made sure me and my little one was ok. After a week of our procedure our life change. My little one is nursing better and started to sleep better because she was getting full and no more cluster feeding. I don't want to go in to details on what was done but trust me ... if you go to her you won't regret it. I wish I knew about her with my first child . She is just so amazing sweet knowledgeable and trustworthy!
Amy Bettencourt
2 years ago
What an amazing experience! Who would have thought that a dentist could help our newborn (and us!!!) sleep more at night?! I wish I could give more than 5 stars for the impact this procedure has had on us. We were referred to Dr. Rumack by our lactation consultant because my newborn's lip tie and remaining tongue tie (from a procedure using scissors at an ENT office) prevented him from successfully breastfeeding. During the visit, Dr. Rumack thoroughly explained everything and made us feel very confident in our decision to revise his tongue tie and also release his lip tie. She was so kind and is absolutely amazing with kids! Following the procedure, my baby was able to successfully latch and more effectively drink milk with each feeding, which meant that he was then able to sleep more. I can't recommend Dr. Rumack enough and only wish I went to her first for the laser procedure!!
Patrice Tucker
3 years ago
This was such a lovely experience for our family. Dr. Elena rectified our sons tongue-tie quickly and painlessly! Within 5 minutes after the procedure, our son was sleeping peacefully. She taught us how to care for the site and followed up with us to ensure that everything was healing properly. He has so much more mobility in his tongue and his palate issues have been corrected. She is a lovely person and her front desk staff was so helpful. We will absolutely be using Dr. Elena again!
Gina McNulty
3 years ago
Dr. Rumack successfully released our newborns tongue tie and lip tie. Our first born was also tongue-tied and lip-tied, so with our second, from what we experienced (and had been told by our lactation consultant), we knew that our new little guy was probably tied up as well. Dr. Rumack was so extremely thorough in detailing the assessment, process, and outcomes and consequences if we chose to release the ties or leave them. She released them that same day and with the follow up, confirmed that the ties hadn't reattached... and breastfeeding became so much easier! Many thanks to Dr. Rumack and her team.
Joyce Ellen Theilig
3 years ago
I'm a bit speechless about my experience with Dr. Rumack! It's because I have never experienced anything like it before. We were referred by Dr. Kawasaki who I'm very grateful for. I want to break this down. First the front office : They were very nice kind and friendly ! They also will open the door for you knowing you will be carrying a carrier and a baby or have a stroller. They are very organize and made sure to remind me about our appointment and answered all my questions in detail the best they can . The office: I have never seen such a beautiful and clean dentist office before. When you enter they have refreshments for you and there are tables like in a cafe. The rooms where patients are seen is so cute and have rocking chairs and they take your child's feeding in consideration and makes sure if you need to nurse they'll give you privacy and time . Last but not Least! DR. Elena Rumack: I didn't really want to go in for my little one because I was so nervous and scared honestly. But Dr. Rumack helped me and talked me through everything and made sure it was our choice and that I was comfortable with anything that was needed to be done. I felt a really positive energy from her and trusted her . She made sure me and my little one was ok. After a week of our procedure our life change. My little one is nursing better and started to sleep better because she was getting full and no more cluster feeding. I don't want to go in to details on what was done but trust me ... if you go to her you won't regret it. I wish I knew about her with my first child . She is just so amazing sweet knowledgeable and trustworthy!
Sarah S
3 years ago
We feel so lucky that we found Dr. Rumack! Our daughter had a unique lip/tongue tie that Dr. Rumack was able to help resolve. It was night and day for us as parents following the procedure! We love Dr. Rumack's communication and calming demeanor. She is always so insightful and helpful. We look forward to every appointment we have with her!
Amy Bettencourt
3 years ago
What an amazing experience! Who would have thought that a dentist could help our newborn (and us!!!) sleep more at night?! I wish I could give more than 5 stars for the impact this procedure has had on us. We were referred to Dr. Rumack by our lactation consultant because my newborn's lip tie and remaining tongue tie (from a procedure using scissors at an ENT office) prevented him from successfully breastfeeding. During the visit, Dr. Rumack thoroughly explained everything and made us feel very confident in our decision to revise his tongue tie and also release his lip tie. She was so kind and is absolutely amazing with kids! Following the procedure, my baby was able to successfully latch and more effectively drink milk with each feeding, which meant that he was then able to sleep more. I can't recommend Dr. Rumack enough and only wish I went to her first for the laser procedure!!
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