We are honored that you are considering our office for the care of your child's teeth. We strongly believe that creating a positive dental experience at a young age will help to create a lifetime of good oral habits and dental health.
We treat every patient the way we would like to be treated ourselves, with respect, honesty, patience and kindness. We believe that every child is an individual, and what works for some doesn't work for all.
Most of the time, children are more than willing to meet us halfway. If we simply slow down and explain what we are going to do and ask the child if he or she has any questions, they will often relax and want to join in the process. Regardless, children are amazing, and our main goal is helping them to understand that taking care of their teeth can be fun!
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 OKU, an honor given to only the top 10% of the graduating class. Dr. Harmer also received UCLA's 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 American Dental Association, the California Society of Pediatric Dentists, and the San Fernando Valley Dental Society.
Dr. Elite Mekel was born in New York City and moved with her family to California at a young age, where she grew up in the San Fernando Valley. She received her B.S. from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in Chemistry. She went back to the East Coast for Dental School to attend the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine -- consistently ranked among the top 5 dental schools in the country. There, she dedicated her free time to treating underserved pediatric populations. After 4 years on the East Coast, Dr. Mekel decided it was time to move back to the West Coast (best coast!) to pursue her career in Pediatrics, completing her advanced training in Pediatric Dentistry with NYU Dental Medicine at Rady Childrens Hospital in San Diego and finally became a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist.
Dr. Mekel's focus is on prevention of dental disease and educating her patients and families on the importance of oral health. She also enjoys working with mothers and infants as well children experiencing symptoms of tongue and lip ties to provide care to relieve these symptoms.
Standing at just under 5 feet tall - and always with a smile on her face - Dr. Mekel was clearly destined to become a Pediatric Dentist and she is so excited to be practicing in Southern California so close to where she grew up. In her free time, Dr. Mekel enjoys practicing yoga, hiking, cooking and baking (but, of course, tries not to indulge in TOO many sweets!)
Dr. Mekel is a Diplomat of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, Ambassador at the Breathe Institute, member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the California Dental Association, the California Society of Pediatric Dentists, the San Fernando Valley Dental Society, and the International Affiliation of Tongue and Lip Tie Professionals
During dental school, Dr. Julia discovered her passion was pediatrics. Dr. Julia Endrizzi completed advanced training in Pediatric Dentistry at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, one of the nation's leading hospitals for children.
She has been in private practice since 2010. Dr. Julia specializes in caring for children with special needs and high anxiety and fear. Dr. Julia has a calm, gentle demeanor that soothes even the most nervous little ones.