The mission of the Dental Wellness Center is to teach its patients about the unique nature of their oral status through a co-learning process between doctor and patient that empowers them to make informed choices regarding its future. Health is not a commodity that can be dispensed it is the result of a dual commitment between the doctor and patient based on transparency and trust developed along a diagnostic path of co-discovery, resulting in patient confidence through the knowledge acquired therein.

Robert P. McBride, D.D.S., has been practicing dentistry in Long Beach, California for over 40 years and has achieved a level of expertise that few dentists in the U.S. can claim. He is a health-centered dentist who is dedicated to building trustful relationships with each patient. His holistic practice maintains personalized attention and individual diagnostic time that allow patients to understand their dental problems and become participants in their own health care.

Dr. McBride received his Bachelor of Science from UCLA and his Doctorate in Dental Surgery from The College of Physicians and Surgeons of The University of The Pacific. He is a member of an elite group of dentists who have achieved Fellowship and Master status with the Academy of General Dentistry, which reflects his ongoing commitment to provide quality care through continuing education. He is one of just over 300 dentists worldwide who have been accredited in all four training levels in Orognathic Bioesthetics. While these recognitions illustrate Dr. McBrides dedication to providing the best that dentistry has to offer, he also has achieved numerous other merits in the field of dentistry.

If you truly want a dentist who will take the time to get to know you, to listen to your needs and help you to make informed choices about your dental future, and who has a dedicated staff that provides excellent personal service, then our practice is the place for you.

I am enjoying my position as the Administrator for the practice. My job is to introduce the Dental Wellness Center to the community. It is easy to promote my father, Robert McBride, because I believe that he is the most talented, professional, and caring holistic dentist you will find anywhere. He is extremely dedicated to his clients and believes that education is the key to offering total wellness. He has mastered dentistry and loves what he does. One of his favorite sayings is: When your purpose becomes defined, your work becomes a recreational activity.

I graduated from Cal State University of Long Beach with a degree in Fashion Merchandising and Marketing. I have worked with Dr. McBride throughout the past 20 years and truly appreciate just how special this office is.

My name is Rachel and I am a Dental Assistant. I recently graduated from UEI college and began working for Dr. McBride December 2013. It is an honor and a privilege to be part of such a wonderful team where the patients care is top priority. Everyone here is extremely caring and genuine. What I love most here at the Dental Wellness Center is its not just about fixing teeth but also about building a relationship with the patient and providing them the knowledge and tools to achieve and maintain good health. Its important to not just address whats wrong but also the causes. In addition its also important to establish trust and honesty with the dental office. In my previous experiences I have seen some dental offices treat their patients as just a profit and not as a person. Their focus was to do the bare minimum to fix whats wrong and then the patient ended up dissatisfied. After seeing this I wanted to become a dental assistant so I could help patients have a better experience and get better care. I feel very lucky to be at the Dental Wellness Center where they truly care about the patients.

When I am not at work I love spending time with my family and friends. I also enjoy watching movies, going to the beach and spending time outdoors. Since I do not have that much experience yet I try to learn as much as I can from everyone and it is my personal goal to make sure every patient is happy and has a good experience.

It is my great pleasure to introduce myself to you as The Dental Wellness Centers Registered Dental Hygienist, Janell Leanillo. I obtained my Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene degree at West Coast University in 2011 and Master in Public Health Degree in January 2018. I have been practicing as a Registered Dental Hygienist since 2011 and have been with the Dental Wellness Center team since June of 2014. I love being an educator and promoter on oral health. My dedication and passion for oral health has encouraged me to follow the path into public health where I desire to deliver oral health education, prevention and dental hygiene services for those in need. I take pride in my profession in providing my patients with the trust, confidence and care they need towards optimal oral and overall health. Since joining the Dental Wellness staff, I am very privileged to share the same beliefs in holistic dentistry where we recognize the importance of the oral-systemic connection. I hope to further develop a health centered, professional and dedicated relationship with each patient.

I was born in Los Angeles and raised in Bellflower, California. Dentistry has been part of my life since I was born. My mother, father and late maternal grandmother were foreign dentists in the Philippines. My father introduced me to dental hygiene where I fell in love with the field. I am one of four daughters, no brothers, and the only daughter who pursued dentistry.

Outside of work, I love to spend quality family time with my loved ones, especially with my daughter, Jazaleia. She is my pride and joy and keeps me busy with all of her extracurricular activities. I enjoy cooking, traveling and staying healthy!

Hi! My name is Julie and I have been a Registered Dental Assistant for twenty years. In my search to join a new team, I got very discouraged to find that most dentists are mainly about quantity not quality. They do not strive to build trust in their relationship with each patient. It is very different at the Dental Wellness Center. Dr. McBride is all about quality dentistry and he builds trust with his patients. The teams goal is to educate patients about their oral conditions. I have truly been blessed to find Dr. McBride and to join his team. Since I am new, I am very excited to learn about his holistic approach to dentistry and bioesthetics.

I am very family oriented and I believe my children are my two biggest accomplishments. They mean the world to me! I spend my leisure time watching my daughter play soccer and performing gymnastics, and my son always keeps me entertained. I also enjoy the great outdoors and growing my own fruits and vegetables. I look forward to my future at the Dental Wellness Center.

LAKEWOOD CA LONG BEACH CA BELLFLOWER CA CERRITOS CA SEAL BEACH CA TORRANCE CA MANHATTAN BEACH CA SAN PEDRO CA PALOS VERDES CA DOWNEY CA HAWAIIAN GARDENS CA LOS ALAMITOS CA ROLLING HILLS CA REDONDO BEACH CA MARINA DEL REY CA MALIBU CA LOS ANGELES COUNTY CA ORANGE COUNTY CA

Within the past dozen years or so, great emphasis has been placed on cosmetic dentistry. Television shows such as Extreme Makeovers and the like have brought attention to the advancement of dental bonding and porcelain technologies to improve smile deficiencies that werent available before, allowing for wonderful smile transformations.

There is no recognized dental specialty program for becoming a cosmetic dentist such as there is for example in becoming an oral surgeon or an orthodontist, formal specialties that take several years of study, practical experience and testing after graduation from dental school. Although there are no restrictions for any dentist claiming to be a cosmetic dentist, many of those who do perform cosmetic services have taken courses in the proper application of these new technologies, and many join organizations having to do with continued skill learning in cosmetic dentistry.

The purpose of this article is to have the reader learn about the single factor most commonly overlooked by many dentists when applying these cosmetic technologies to their patients. It is a fact that the teeth are only one component of an extremely unique and integrated system, and are always in relation to the surrounding bone, muscles, nerves and ligaments. This whole system must come together in harmony if there is to be both healthy oral function and lasting attractive appearance.

This was brought to light by a pioneering dentist, Dr. Robert Lee, who was also a biologist-researcher. He became extremely interested in studying the oral systems of people with healthy mouths and attractive smiles, who rarely needed the services of a dentist! Why is it, he asked, that these people had minimal or no apparent tooth wear, head/neck pain, or gum disease? His research disclosed that they all shared the common attribute of having a healthy natural arrangement of the teeth in relationship to the jaw joints (TMJs). In other words, these were the lucky folks; they were born with a healthy functioning mouth system. He coined the term, Bioesthetics, or, the study or theory of the beauty of living things in their natural forms and function.

Dr. Lee discovered that 10 14 percent of the population was blessed with Bioesthetic attributes in their mouths. Just as in nature, where the species with the healthiest of systems operate the smoothest and last the longest. This is why, I believe, he attributed the term Bio-esthetics to these healthy systems (Aesthetics: an underlying principle, a set of principles, or a view often manifested by outward appearances or style of behavior. Dictionary.com) rather than Bio-cosmetics (Cosmetics: something superficial that is used to cover a deficiency or defect. Dictionary.com).

The Bioesthetic dentist, through his/her knowledge of how a healthy total oral system appears and functions will diagnose the abnormalities first, and then treat the patient towards that healthy ideal model. This is when the application of the wonderful new cosmetic technologies makes the most sense, as they are not used as just a superficial cover-up, but as part of the continuing development of the patients overall state of optimum dental health and appearance true Bioesthetics.

The Bioesthetic philosophy of dentistry has at its forefront a well researched health model, and is the foundation of my dental practice. Although I have several awards for achievement after dental school that represent thousands of hours of formal study, the heart of my practice centers around prevention and application of the Bioesthetic principles in diagnosis and treatment. My first step as a Bioesthetic dentist is to diagnose the patients total oral system and eliminate any symptoms such as head, neck or jaw joint pain, as well as eliminate gum disease to create a healthy foundation for the teeth. Then, using todays advanced technologies such as teeth replacement implants, cosmetic bonding, and life-like porcelain crowns, I design the most attractive and functional teeth using the Bioesthetic health model as a template. When done correctly, the patients mouth functions as closely as possible to those blessed with the Bioesthetic attributes, as described above.

This approach is in contrast to traditional dentistry, which all too often jumps right in to repair, replace and whiten teeth without first finding out what caused the dental problems in the first place! Patients shouldnt have to spend time and money for dental treatments only to find that their underlying dental problems still remain they are caught in the repeated cycle of patch-and-repair. In contrast, Bioesthetic dentistry offers sustained oral health and a mouth that functions and remains beautiful over time.

The Dental Wellness Center became mercury free by discontinuing the use of mercury amalgam fillings well over 20 years ago. The original rationale for ending their usage was that most all teeth filled with this substance would eventually fracture due to the expansion of the metal, sometimes mortally (down the middle) and need to be extracted, or require root canal treatment, gum surgery or both afterwards to restore the tooth properly. Also, other materials were coming on the market that were approaching the longevity and positive attrition (wear) qualities of these fillings. Another thing, which was not even addressed in dental school, was the fact that mercury vapor released during their placement could be unhealthy not only for the patient but also for the doctor and assistant. It was also becoming quite evident from research that mercury vapor continues to be released after the amalgam filling material becomes hardened within teeth. Realizing these facts, we have become mercury safe, which means that we not only dont place mercury amalgam fillings, but implement safety features that protect our patients as well as ourselves. The only mercury in our office today resides within the fillings of patients who may have them. The following is some information about the metal element mercury, fillings that have mercury amalgamated within them, how we handle their removal and the rationale for their replacement.

Now, for something very important: What material is best for their replacement? This is a very significant question and more encompassing than one might think. The materials used can be influenced by several factors, such as the case of those used in manufacturing an airplane which needs to have proper form, structure and function for successful, safe flights. The following information will assist you in understanding why this is so important.

We see new patients daily who have varied concerns that prompt them to enter the Dental Wellness Center family of patients, e.g., routine check-up, gum and decay problems, TMJ, head and neck pain, cosmetic concerns, teeth replacements bridges, partials, root replacement implants, etc. as well as mercury amalgam filling removals. All who enroll begin a process that includes an initial interview with the doctor, a clinical oral examination and a complete series of radiographs. During the clinical examination, various oral health/disease parameters are investigated such as:

Type of filling material used is just one aspect of looking at The Bigger Picture. For instance, if a persons bite alignment is off and it is causing teeth to have abnormal wear, head and/or neck pain or loose teeth, the alignment would need to be addressed first, as placing any type of restorative material to comply with a bite that is off would not only perpetuate the underlying problem, but could also worsen it. Just like placing new tires on an automobile whose front end is out of alignment.

After bite alignment procedures, if needed, an appropriate material would be recommended to give the teeth repaired the best chance of never needing repair again. This is important because each time a tooth is repaired, the nerve within it is traumatized and these traumas, like x-rays, are cumulative. Following is a typical history of incidents that occur during the lifetime of a tooth. First the tooth has a cavity (decay) which traumatizes the nerve (pulp) as bacteria enter it even with a moderate sized decay. Then the decay is drilled out along with some healthy tooth structure to provide undercuts so that the filling wont fall out, as mercury amalgam fillings have absolutely no adhesive qualities they actually just sit in the tooth. And then they expand and contract at a different rate than the tooth, which cracks from internal expansion that eventually causes tooth structure to break away as seen with this tooth.

Back teeth can generate more than 500 pounds per square inch biting pressure, so the ideal material would be one that is strong enough to withstand these forces without being very thick in the interest of tooth structure conservation, and this is hands down gold. Any good dentist will tell you that well-placed conservative cast gold restorations are the best of the lot, bar none, in that they are kindest to teeth from several perspectives:

Many people dont want gold, especially here in California compared for example to people in the Pacific Northwest where they dont seem to be as concerned with the gold color. It is interesting to note that in those areas there arent as many root canal dentist specialists per general dentist as there are in California.

The dilemma that I face when recommending these restorations (which I have had placed in my own teeth) has to do with the intent residing within the oath I signed upon becoming a dentist which states, First, Do No Harm in juxtaposition to the patients desire to have natural tooth color, which is understandable. I know that when I drill off a lot of tooth structure I may be inviting a root canal treatment which could occur around treatment time, or delayed, maybe for years. And a root canal treatment on a back tooth is not a guarantee of its safety for the future. I have seen many back teeth fracture underneath the best of crowns requiring the tooths removal. Now were looking at an extraction, root replacement implant and new crown.

Some of the new porcelain materials are stronger, look great and fit better than those of the past, however they havent as yet compiled the track record of gold which has been used for over 100 years. However, in most cases, mercury amalgam fillings can be replaced with conservative cast gold restorations in a very inconspicuous manner.

I believe that it is very important to consider all parameters involved when making decisions concerning the health and longevity of ones oral system, not only regarding safety in removing mercury amalgam fillings, but the type of materials used in replacing them, the quality of the dental laboratory, and the individuality of the patient. I want to honor my patients desires; however I also want their decisions to be influenced by facts that will allow them to make a properly informed one prior to even taking the first step.

I trusted Dr. McBrides judgment from the beginning in his dental recommendations. I had a lot of cavities as a teenager and young adult, and first of all he taught me how to stop getting them. Then he restored my teeth with conservative cast gold restorations which he said would be least traumatic to the teeth nerves and the most long lasting treatment available if done properly.

I guess they were in that they have kept my teeth strong and healthy for over 30 years and I have had no cavities, re-treatment of his work or root canals on any of my teeth since I started with him. I love my smile you cant see any of the gold but whats more, they will probably last a lifetime. Treatment thats done right the first time pays off year after year and is one of the best investments Ive ever made in my health. Thank you Dr. McBride.