I grew up here in Southern California. I earned a bachelors degree in biological sciences from UC Irvine in 1984. In 1988, I earned my doctoral degree in dental sciences at UCLA. I went on to earn my certificate in the specialty of orthodontics from the University of Connecticut in 1990.
In 1993, I opened my private practice in Oxnard, California. The practice became known as Custom Smiles Orthodontics. In 2011, I partnered with Dr. Thomas Lee, a good friend, to form Premier Orthodontics. I now have an office in Carpinteria as well, so we can serve communities from Goleta and Santa Barbara, Ojai, and Ventura to Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Camarillo, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Newbury Park, and surrounding areas. Continuing Education and Experience
I am a huge believer in continuing education. I am a perpetual student and spend hundreds of hours each year learning about new procedures and incorporating them into my practice. Many dentists and other specialists refer patients to me because of my expertise in the use of two new technologies: Invisalign and SureSmile. I am Ventura Countys most experienced Invisalign orthodontist. I have have successfully treated more than 1,500 Invisalign cases.
Because of my experience with Invisalign, I was featured for five years in Invisaligns first nationwide television advertising campaign. We are also the areas leading experts in the use of SureSmile, the robotic wire-bending software that enables us to treat our patients with better results in less time than traditional braces.
I regularly lecture to general dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, and students at our local colleges. I am a member of the Super Schulman Study Group, an elite group of the nations most successful orthodontists who openly share their knowledge and expertise with fellow members.
I am married with four kids and live in Camarillo. I spend most weekends at the soccer field or the volleyball courts with my daughters. In my free time, I also enjoy scuba diving for lobster, fishing, camping, fixing things, and motorcycle riding. I have a great surfboard collection, but Im not too good at surfing yet. I am also a committed fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the UCLA Bruins, and the L.A. Lakers.
Paying for braces, Invisalign, or other care is one of the greatest concerns for patients considering orthodontic treatment. The cost of care depends on the patients case, and the final cost of the treatment is calculated after determining what kind of treatment is necessary, how long treatment will take, and a variety of other factors.
During this unprecedented global pandemic and healthcare crisis, Premier Orthodontics is committed to providing essential orthodontic care to the communities we serve. We understand the fears and challenges that many face as the coronavirus outbreak evolves in our communities. There are many unknowns during this time, but we know that the strength of our communities is reflected in how we continue to care for each other during this time.
Reopening dates will vary by location, with some dates to be confirmed. Our Premier teams will be contacting patients directly to help you schedule and confirm your next visit to our office. Thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.
As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak evolves in California and across our world, the health and well-being of our patients, families, and employees remain our highest priority. While many things have changed since March 2020, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety.
Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice, and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, its both safe and comfortable. We are continuously assessing the spread of the coronavirus outbreak in the communities we serve and the impact on our practice.
We want to reassure you about the infection control procedures we follow in our practice to keep patients and care teams safe. We routinely follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued, and adhere to the following guidelines:
Reviews
Rating 4.0 out of 5 based on 119 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestAlberto Zapien
a year ago
Ayfirst everything was fine, they always called me to remind me of my appointment now that I have almost finished paying my daughter has not been attended to for more than 6 months because they do not have space 6 MONTHS is quite a long time now we have to wait even 2 more months because she lost her appointment and they never called or texted me to remind me or confirm like in the beginning start. My experience very bad service
cindy melo casimir
a year ago
(Translated by Google) Excellent care for patients (Original) Excelente atencion para los pacientes
Michelle Banh
2 years ago
Thank you for your take care and for your good service.
Adam Dalia
2 years ago
Unprofessional, rude and money scammers.
Elsie Alvarado
2 years ago
Frendly. People
Mohamed Galal
2 years ago
Didn't receive my treatment in the middle for 5 months. They were overly booked all the time and I was charged for the treatment I didn't receive.
Cristal Castaneda
2 years ago
Horrible scammers!!
Pemily Ha
2 years ago
This place is so unprofessional. During my visits I'd come in on time for my appointments, but get pushed back 30 minutes to 1 hour sometimes. I don't know why they get so backed up if they made appointments. What are appointments for? I've gotten dental assistants who were possibly in training or something because a simple check up that should only last no more than 30 minutes at most has gone up to 1 hour a few times. It really depends on who you get, and how busy or backed up they are. Most assistants are good, and the doctor is good too. I'll give them that. However, if you aren't lucky like me during a few of my visits, you might get a new person in training. I'm not sure why the office doesn't warn patients ahead of time if a person is in training. One person in particular was so rough with her technique that I was in a lot of pain. My appointment lasted an hour with her twice. She also poked my lip with the wire, and blamed the wire and me for my chapped lips because I wasn't able to open my mouth further for her to be able to place the wire. She ended up finding someone else to help after I complained. If I didn't complain, I'm not sure how much longer that appointment would be. The other person made it look so easy, and I did not experience the same pain as before. I'm an adult with a child, I can't imagine taking my child to get braces here. I'm already traumatized. They should definitely warn their customers ahead of time if a person is still training. Also, it would be better if these new assistants have a trainer watching them.
Alberto Zapien
2 years ago
Ayfirst everything was fine, they always called me to remind me of my appointment now that I have almost finished paying my daughter has not been attended to for more than 6 months because they do not have space 6 MONTHS is quite a long time now we have to wait even 2 more months because she lost her appointment and they never called or texted me to remind me or confirm like in the beginning start. My experience very bad service
Veronica Franco
2 years ago
Not sure what has changed but it has been difficult to make appointments monthly. Their appointments are Two months out which is causing to delay treatment .
Precious Alyjanna
2 years ago
Im late only 1 month for my bills payment and I said will pay in the next few days on my kids appointment they didn't do the treat what is suppose to instead they told me to schedule next when I paid the balance that's crazy
Tono Cabanas
2 years ago
(Translated by Google) Very badly, we have been in treatment for almost a year and I have practically nothing they bring us from appointment to appointment and the truth is they did nothing in the end they changed the plan after several months but I am not happy so I am waiting to cancel the contract (Original) Muy mal casi llevamos un ano de tratamiento y no le an echo practicamente nada nos traen de cita en cita y la verdad nada le hicieron al final ellos cambiaron el plan despues de varios meses pero no estoy contenta asi que estoy esperado para cancelar el contrato
carol brown
2 years ago
We had an appointment which we had been reminded about at least three times. We should have bet the appointment sat and waited for a few minutes my granddaughter was called in she came out a few minutes later they said they didn't have Parts they needed to do the work they needed to do done today and sent her off. They did not even try to talk to me. When I insisted that I talked to someone I was told they did not have the parts they needed to do the work she needed and they would have to wait till they came in and they didn't know when that would be. I think they definitely knew it on that Monday morning oh, they couldn't have called or text me that information instead of taking my time which may not be important to them but it is very important to me get her down there on time just to be turned away. They said they were sorry but how does that give me my time back, with no consideration and asked if they could to fix it but you can't give me my time back hopefully they'll be more considerate to other patients as time goes on. If we weren't so far into this treatment I would no longer be using them
Stephanie Leiva
2 years ago
Everyone is so friendly, from the front desk all the way through to the assistant and the Orthodontist! This office allows my family and I to feel welcome!
Alejandra Gonzalez
2 years ago
No star!!! Don't go here, extremely disorganized staff! The doctor is great but I am not sure they have capable staff to fully document and keep files in place..time and time again they were getting my file mixed up and overcharging me since I had them on autopay to the point where I got a big reimbursement after my daughter completed her treatment. Additionally, they stated that we had not bought the lifetime insurance plan and continue to believe we don't, however we did sign it on our contract at the initial time of signing!! Managers, are very unprofessional and have no knowledge of their own contracts. Sadly, they work in an underserved community that needs more representation not to be exploited!
Miguel gamez
2 years ago
Customer service not so good, they didn't attend me last time just for 5 minutes late, they said there was their lunch time break
Sherelle Gardner
2 years ago
I waited 45 minutes in the waiting room before my daughter was seen and when I mentioned it to the dentist he was very nonchalant unapologetic and brushed me off. The waiting room is always overcrowded and seems overbooked. As far as the dental work, the technician do all the work. Them seem to know what they're doing, I see improvement in my daughters teeth hence the two stars. I've never been seen at my appointment time or anything close to it I've always sat in that waiting room for at least 20 minutes and they took the cake with yesterday's appointment having me waiting there for 45.
Maria Mercado
3 years ago
I am not one to write bad reviews But I felt that I needed to write this review today I came into the location waited for over two hours walked out didn't even have my son service due to the long wait. I had a second appointment a couple weeks later and this is what happened I walked up to the Counter ask the receptionist how long more she told me it would be a few minutes mind you I have already been waiting for over two hours I walked up again 15 minutes later she tells me that she apologizes that they are running late due to short staff I begin to let her know that this is something that should be told at the beginning of the appointment or as soon as you walk in and you have your temperature taken to just advise the parents that the wait time is going to be longer than expected due to staffing but this seems to be a problem every single time the staffing the long waits. If you were understaffed why are you over staffing consistently over booking your self making parents wait not knowing if they have to go back and pick up another child from school get back home to public Transportation the parking it's just been a really bad experience
BRENDA ARREOLA
3 years ago
Exellent customer service.
Yesenia Cruz
3 years ago
(Translated by Google) This place is good and flexible in all aspects, the payment methods are adequate to what you can afford. The service and attention is very professional, they attend you quickly and according to your appointment. Highly recommended. (Original) Este lugar es bueno y flexible en todos los aspectos, las formas de pago son adecuadas a lo que puedes pagar. El servicio y atencion es muy profesional, te atiende rapido y segun tu cita. Muy recomendado.
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