Our doctors provide the most up-to-date and thorough treatment for a wide variety of dental procedures in an atmosphere that encourages your child to feel relaxed and comfortable. They are trained and qualified to treat all children, including those with special needs who may have emotional, physical or mental challenges. This specialized training and commitment to comprehensive oral health is why many parents choose a pediatric dentist in a very similar way in which they choose a pediatrician to provide their childrens medical care. To insure that your children stay healthy, our doctors work with pediatricians and other medical and dental specialists as an important part of your childs comprehensive health team.
Dr. Sunil Ilapogu, also known as Dr. Sunny, was born and raised in Canada. After earning his bachelors degree at Canadian University College, he moved to California continuing his education and completing his pediatric dental residency at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry.
After graduation, Dr. Sunny moved to Ventura to become an associate in Dr. Channers pediatric dental practice. One year later, Dr. Sunny acquired the practice, pursuing his dream to provide exceptional dental care for children and young adults, including those with special health care needs. After about 10 years with Sunny Smiles Dentistry for Children and Young Adults, he continues to provide all children and teens with a positive dental experience.
Dr. Sunny stays up-to-date with the latest in pediatric dentistry by having active memberships with the American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the California Dental Association, and the Santa Barbara and Ventura Dental Society.
Dr. Sunny, his wife Natalie, and three children love living in Ventura County. They are actively involved in the community, volunteering with Interface, Head Start, Moms groups and a few other organizations. Sunny Smiles Dentistry for Children and Young Adults is a proud sponsor of YMCA and provides dental education to many preschools, kindergartens, and day facilities in the surrounding area.
Dr. Nobel is a Southern California native and a true Bruin. He attended UCLA for his undergraduate studies and continued his education, training and specialization in pediatric dentistry at UCLA School of Dentistry. He even maintains a faculty position as lecturer for the division of pediatric dentistry.
Throughout his career, Dr. Nobel has dedicated himself to the treatment of underserved children. He created an organization called Ticket To Smile. This organization provides dental care for children in homes affected by domestic abuse. This organization is a true reflection of Dr. Nobels passion and enthusiasm for serving children and young adults, including those with special health care needs.
After graduation, Dr. Nobel moved back here with his wife, Ariana, and became part of the Sunny Smiles team. Dr. Nobel has a great sense of humor and makes coming to the dentist an awesome experience for both children and their parents.
Dr. Nobel stays current with the latest in pediatric dentistry, maintaining active memberships with the American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the California Dental Association and the Santa Barbara-Ventura County Dental Society. He is in the elite group of Diplomates of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
Dr. Christine Tran is a Southern California native who graduated from University of California San Diego with dual degrees in biochemistry and psychology. She was then awarded her Doctorate in Dental Surgery from the University of Southern California and continued her post-doctoral training in pediatric dentistry at Louisiana State University and at the Childrens Hospital of New Orleans.
As a Board Certified pediatric specialist, Dr. Tran is a child advocate who commits herself to delivering excellent dental care for all infants, toddlers, children and adolescents, including those with special health care needs. She tailors her care and treatment based on your childs individual needs. Dr. Tran wants to ensure that your childs dental visit is both comfortable and enjoyable.
Dr. Tran stays current with advancements in pediatric dentistry by maintaining active memberships with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and the California Dental Association.
Dr. Joe Virata was born in Hawaii but spent most of his youth living in the San Francisco Bay Area. He graduated from UC Davis with dual degrees in neurobiology and psychology before going on to UCLA School of Dentistry to obtain his degree in dentistry. He then received his pediatric specialty training at Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center.
Within a year of graduating from residency, Dr. Virata was awarded Diplomate status by the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, distinguishing him as a Board Certified pediatric dentist. He has since enjoyed teaching dental students and pediatric dental residents as faculty in the Section of Pediatric Dentistry at UCLA.
Dr. Virata is proud to have participated in his high school baseball team that won the North Coast Section Championship for their division. During his free time, Dr. Virata loves spending time with his daughter and two dogs, Westley and Watson, cooking new recipes with his wife, Christine, and watching baseball.
Dr. Ngo graduated from the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC in 2009 and completed a General Practice Residency at the Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, now known as the BronxCare Health System, in New York. She practiced in New York for several years, where she focused on serving the underprivileged community in the Bronx. In 2013, she had an opportunity to join Columbia University and Lutheran Medical Center of Brooklyn, now known as NYU Langone Hospital Brooklyn, part time as an Advanced Education in General Dentistry student.
Throughout Dr. Ngos career, her passion remained in treating children and those with special needs. In 2015, she pursued this dream to specialize in pediatric dentistry at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. Her residency at Loma Linda has enriched her knowledge and skills in pediatric dentistry, and in 2016, she had the opportunity to take these skills to Botswana, Africa, and provide two weeks of dental treatment to the children that live in the Kalahari Desert.
Dr. Vargas received her bachelors degree in neuroscience with a minor in Hispanic studies from the University of Pennsylvania in 2013. At Penn, Dr. Vargas became fluent in Spanish and first discovered a passion for helping children as a tutor for underserved youth at a local Philadelphia (K-6) community school.
Subsequently, Dr. Vargas spent a gap year as a dental assistant at offices of various specialties (general, endodontics and orthodontics), and started a part-time face-painting business. In retrospect, this not only solidified her desire to specialize in pediatrics but also allowed her to practice her manual dexterity on these little patients!
Dr. Vargas attended Columbia University College of Dental Medicine in New York City, where she received her doctorate in dental surgery and the Diversity Affairs Award for Leadership and Service in 2018. Amidst her dental school studies, she taught psychology to minority high school students interested in STEM through the State Pre-College Enrichment Program every Saturday and spent an entire summer teaching organic chemistry and biology to underrepresented college students interested in health professions through the Summer Health Professions Education Program.
At UCLA, Dr. Vargas simultaneously received her specialty certificate in pediatric dentistry and a masters degree in public health degree in 2020. During her training, she developed a minimally invasive, patient-centered and risk-based approach to restoring dental health, function and aesthetics for her pediatric patients. Dr. Vargas is a member of the California Dental Association, American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, California Society of Pediatric Dentistry and Southern California Society of Dentistry for Children.
Were like family here at Sunny Smiles Dentistry for Children and Young Adults, and our fun, professional, dedicated team loves children! Many of our team members have been a part of Sunny Smiles for over 10 years, and we take pride in serving your family.
Reviews
Rating 5.0 out of 5 based on 214 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestSandra Callaway
a year ago
My child loves Sunny Smiles! They are always great about explaining how best to take care of his teeth and do so in a way that makes it fun and encourages good habits. The office is bright and fun to be in, which makes going to the dentist a positive experience. Everyone has always been so helpful at the office, we have been happy customers for about 8 years!
Yuffry Agtria
a year ago
All at the people who work in this office are wonderful, they are really friendly, and punctual. My son usually freaks out every-time we went to the dentist, either crying all the way to dentist or scared of the tools. But since we changed our dentist he doesn't cry at all or even have any tantrums happen in the office. The place is really clean, there is so much space for kids, and games they can play before their appointment. Thank goodness we found such a gem!
Jenny Urbanick
a year ago
Sunny Smiles is the Best! My two daughters (6 & 8) love going to the dentist. Everyone is professional, honest, friendly and best part- it's fun! We highly recommend!
Raelynn Higa
a year ago
Visiting Sunny Smiles has always been a pleasant experience for my kids. We love Dr. Sunny and staff are always efficient!
Gabriela Perez
a year ago
My kids have been coming to Sunny Smiles for years, staff is always friendly.
Niki Bach
a year ago
We have been going to sunny smiles for 5+ years. Dr sunny is great. Staff is always great, my kids look forward to going to the dentist!
Sunshine Peay it Forward
a year ago
Words cannot express our gratitude for the kindness and compassion that Dr. Sunny Smiles and his entire team has shown my autistic son Brandon after a harrowing experience at another pediatric dentistry doctor's office 13 years ago. Dr Sunny and his team show what a true understanding pediatric dentist represent in helping us get my son back into a dental chair. We had been going to the UCLA Children's hospital for his dental work up until the age of 6. I wanted Brandon to get used to going to a local dentist so that when he became an adult he would love going to the dentist and feel confident in going. I took him to a pediatric dentist in Oxnard. After checking him in, they told me it was best that I not come in the room with him while they were cleaning his teeth. I made sure that he was compliant in the dental chair before I left and sat waiting for him in the lobby. About ten minutes had passed and I heard my son screaming. I ran past the front desk into the room where he was at. I was shocked as to what I had found. Five people were holding my son on the ground and one person was cleaning his teeth. He was terrified, crying, red faced trying to escape from their hold. No way would he ever go to the dentist again. Of course, I complained but the damage was done. That is when I reached out to Dr. Sunny Smiles and his caring team. Doctor Sunny suggested that when we were ever in the area to let Brandon just walk into their brightly colored, cheerful, warm and inviting office, no appointment needed. When Brandon was done just walking around the dental chair, he would get a little reward from the toy dispenser. They allowed him to do this many times, gradually working up to where he could sit in the dental chair for five then eventually 15 minutes to watch a brief segment of a movie that he wanted to watch. After a year of this he was able to sit in the dental chair and have his teeth cleaned. Now, 13 years later we go four times a year to keep up his confidence and stay on top of his oral health, but to Brandon it is like seeing family members. The entire staff know Brandon and that he likes cover bands, Night to Remember and more. He has conversations with Dr. Sunny before they start cleaning his teeth and this kind act calms Brandon down and then they can proceed with the dental procedure. What can a mom say about the gratitude that I have for Dr. Sunny Smiles and his team who helped my son who has autism get back into a dental chair. We were so fortunate to find them 13 years ago. Both Brandon and I would highly recommend Sunny Smiles Dentistry for children and young adults. I know Brandon will be confident in going to the dentist long after I am gone, and that is what I had hoped for. Thank you, Dr. Sunny and your Team. Cheryl Peay
Brittney Pierce
a year ago
We just moved to California and was needing a new dental office, when calling Sunny Smiles right from the start I was greeted with a very welcoming personality. They got us in within just a few days, helped with insurance questions and made the whole experience run smooth. The whole team Is just great! My little actually looks forward to going to the dentist! Thank you Sunny Smiles!
Alaina Upthegrove
2 years ago
Dr. Sunny's is the very best dentistry for children hands down. I brought my oldest daughter to Sunny Smiles for years and unfortunately had to change dentist due to Insurance changing. Unfortunately, my children had extreamly bad experiences with two othere dentist office which caused my son to be terrified to get his dental work done. Needless to say we are happily back at Dr. Sunny's! The entire staff is phenomenal to the front staff to the back! Kathy the front office coordinator worked her magic to get my son in to see our favorite dentist Dr. Nobel who is not only talented in his craft but patient and kind with the little ones. Highly recommend!
Deirdre Lomeli
2 years ago
Doctor Nobel is our favorite. My daughter has been coming since her first tooth!! We love the staff. Everyone is so kind and friendly.
Leahna Loomis
2 years ago
My 2 boys have been patients for over 10 years. The dentists and staff are always personable and attentive. The care has consistently been excellent over the years.
Abigail Afman
2 years ago
Great dentist for kids. They have the whole experience down to a science; movies and fun things to do in the lobby, movies during the cleaning, and a fun toy after. All the hygienists and dentists have been great so far, and my kids love coming!
April Liporada
2 years ago
We've been coming to Sunny Smiles for several years. The dentists and staff are very friendly and have worked well with my children. I feel like the treatment plans have been reasonably priced and I trust their recommendations. I am grateful for the wonderful dental care they have provided throughout the years!
Maria Mellein
2 years ago
We love Sunny Smiles! My kids always look forward to getting their teeth cleaned. We have been coming for over 7 years. They never disappoint! I recommend to everyone.
Kimberley Toro
2 years ago
We visited Sunny Smiles in Ventura today for the first time, and it was a great experience. They wrote my son's name on their board to welcome him to the office, and their waiting room was super fun for my son with arcade games and toys. They were so incredibly fast to see us that we didn't wait more than 2 minutes to go back, and every employee was kind and helpful. He also loved the token to get a reward at the end of the visit. My son decided this is his new favorite dentist, and I completely agreed.
Soozee Lapointe
2 years ago
Sunny Smiles is amazing. My children have never been scared of the dentist because they think of every detail to make coming here fun and stress free. My kids favorite part is their own TV to watch movies, games in the waiting room and the prizes at the end of the visit. My favorite part is swift service, dentists that take their time explaining everything to me, flexibility and happy kiddos:)
Nicolette Morda
2 years ago
We have been coming here since 2019 and my kids are always willing and excited to come to the dentist... always a positive experience!
Monica Iniguez
2 years ago
Very friendly place, attentive and very good with my child. My son loves coming here.
Jesus Aldrete
2 years ago
Super friendly. Dr.Vazquez was great with my 2 year old.
Rachel Valadez
2 years ago
I have been at this office for 15 years. I've brought my oldest son when he was younger and now my daughter has been coming here and we love it ! Great staff and amazing doctors ! Very family oriented place, and we have always left the office with smiles on our face.
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