In addition to his full-time private general dentistry practice in Moreno Valley, Mervin L. Ellstrom, D.D.S., M.P.H., is an adjunct clinical professor in Pediatric Dentistry and General Dentistry at Loma Linda Universitys School of Dentistry.
Graduating from college with a B.A. cum laude in 1971, majoring in Biological Science and Chemistry with a minor in Behavioral Science, he went on to obtain his Doctorate of Dental Surgery at Loma Linda University in 1975. While attending dental school he simultaneously worked on his Masters Degree in Public Health, which was also conferred on him in 1975. He received the Mosby Scholarship for Scholastic Excellence, as well as the Southern California Pedodontic Award for excelling in patient delivery for the young patient and he also received the Crown and Bridge Award for technical excellence in fixed prosthetics.
Passionately involved in his profession, he has taught and clinically supervised dental students and pediatric residents at LLUs School of Dentistry for the last forty years. Whether one-on-one with a patient or student, writing textbook materials or making three-dimensional educational models, he strives with his patients and students alike for total understanding of the issues.
The delivery of personal, individualized care has been a trademark of Dr. Ellstroms success. Many a weekend will find him taking another continuing education class to improve his skills and understanding of the rapidly expanding methods of dental care. He is an active member the following dental societies:
He is also very conscious of patients' safety issues, exemplified by his position as a site examiner for the State of California on the administration of I.V. Sedation in Dental Clinics. As time permits he performs elementary school dental screenings and makes occasional trips to Mexico to provide dental care to the less fortunate. However, his proudest accomplishments, and blessings are his marriage of over 25 years to Karen Clark-Ellstrom and their two children: Christopher and Courtney.
Dr. Castillo graduated from California State University Fullerton with a Bachelor's Degree in Biological Science with a minor in Chemistry. His main interest while there was Microbiology. By studying bacteria he was able to better understand their effects on the human body, and how the body responds to them. He worked doing research with professors in the school in order to get more of a hands on experience with how bacteria functioned.
After graduating he went on to work in the lab of the Milk and Dairy Department for one of the local supermarket chains. There he was responsible for doing quality control of the products being produced, and checking the bacteria levels to make sure there were none before the products were shipped out. He also worked in a lab in Irvine, California where he tested medical products of popular manufacturers to make sure that they were sterile and had no bacteria.
He then enrolled in dental school at Loma Linda University. His knowledge of Microbiology from his past education and work experience made him appreciate more how bacteria in the mouth affected teeth Whitening. It also made him understand how to better deal with them before they do more damage to the patient's mouth. Dr. Castillo passes on the information he has learned to his patients so they can better understand how cavities are formed, and how to prevent them.
Dentistry is a profession that advances everyday. For this reason it is important that today's Dentist Moreno valley keep up to date with new techniques and technology to make a patient's visit the best we can offer. Dr. Castillo is always updating his knowledge with continuing education courses, and researching the latest technology that would make procedures easier on the patient. He also follows strict sterilization protocols, which he has been following since his college days, in order to keep patients safe. Dr. Castillo is a member of the following dental societies:
Dr. Castillo feels it is a privilege to serve the community, and promote good health. There are many patients that do not enjoy coming to the dentist, Dr. Castillo feels we need to go above and beyond to make the patient comfortable with us and understand the value of good oral health.