Dr. Melvin Kum is a native of Los Angeles, and graduated from John Marshall High School in 1972. He attended college at Cal State L.A. for two years and finished his undergraduate studies at the University of Southern California(USC)with a B.A. in Psychology (1977) and a B.S. in Biology (1980).
He attendedDental School at Oral Roberts University School of Dentistry in Tulsa, OK. and graduated in 1983 with aD.M.D. degree (Doctor of Dental Medicine). He had worked in various dental offices for a few years and then settled in his own private practice in Burbank in 1985.
He is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), the Academy of General Dentists (AGD), and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI). The AGD is the largest organization that is specific to the advancement of education for General Dentists. The goal of the AGD is to provide avenues of advanced education and training in all fields of dentistry: dental implants, cosmetic procedures, pediatric (children), endodontic (root canals), periodontal (gums), oral surgery, and orthodontics (braces). The ICOI is the largest international organization that brings together world-wide leaders of Implant Dentistry to a common forum of education and training. Implant Dentistry has provided many new techniques to strengthen and re-build the jaw and teeth to unprecedented levels of comfort, function, and esthetics.
Dr. Kum has attained the level of Master in the Academy of General Dentists (MAGD), and is the only MAGD Dentist in the Burbank area. He has also attained the Fellowship (FICOI) and then Diplomate (DICOI) status with the ICOI (International Congress of Oral Implantologists), and an Implant Fellow with the prestigious Misch Implant Institute.
To achieve the MAGD, DICOI, and Implant Fellow, a commitment to learning is paramount with hundreds of hours of advanced dental implant education and training. Dr. Kum was required to submit many cases of his personal work for evaluation and approval by a panel of independent dental specialists. These accomplishments require years to complete.
Bethany Kum, DDS, RDHgrew up in localSouth Pasadena, attending the local schools and graduated fromSo. Pasadena High School. She attendedU.C. RiversideandU.C. Irvine, focusing onBiology. She was accepted to theUniversity of Southern California Dental Hygieneprogram, and received herB.S. / RDHdegree. She worked for a year as a dental hygienist, and then decided that she wanted to attend dental school. She attended and graduated from theOstrow School of Dentistry of USC.
She is uniquely qualified, with her background as a Dental Hygienist first, and now as a Dentist. She continued to work Saturdays as a dental hygienist during the four years of dental school. She has enjoyed her 6 years with theOstrow School of Dentistry of USCin many ways, but has found the most life-changing experiences with helping those who lack access to dental care. During her time with the dental hygiene and the dental school programs, she has provided care with theUSC Mobile Dental Clinic, AYUDA Dental Clinic, Queenscare, Childrens Dental Center in Inglewood, Los Angeles Veteran Administration Dental Facility, Union Rescue Mission, theJohn Wesley County Hospital (JWCH)in the downtown L.A. skid row area of town, and at multiple health fairs.
Bethanyhas been on several dental mission trips toGuatemalawith theChristian Medical Dental Association, providing care to the under-served. She wasPresident of her Dental Hygieneclass (2009), selected for theDental I.V. Teamfor her junior/senior years of dental school, andPresident of the Student Academy of General Dentists Club. However, it was her continued involvement with theUSC Mobile Dental Clinicthat impressed upon her that she could have a bigger impact within her community. TheUSC Mobile Dental Clinictravels to 6 locations between Central and Southern California each year, providing a week long dental treatment to the under-served communities. Her involvement through the years culminated with her being chosen to be aCo-Director of the Mobile Dental Clinicprogram in her senior year of dental school. She is looking forward to her future career in dentistry and her unending commitment to the community.