Southern California
Society of
Dentistry for Children
Southern California
Society of
Dentistry for Children
Southern California
Society of
Dentistry for Children
Southern California
Society of
Dentistry for Children
Dr. Deyanira Sanchez, DDS
Immediate Past-President
Dr. Deyanira Sanchez is an L.A. native who pursued international training in dentistry. She received BA in Pathology, as well as a Doctor in Dental Surgery certificate from University of Guadalajara, Mexico in 2000. During her year of Mexican social service, she functioned as chief resident/pre-doctorate clinical instructor in prosthodontics.
Upon returning to the United States, she received accreditation for Doctor in Dental Surgery through the Professional Program For International Dentist and ultimately, a certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from UCLA. Currently she is volunteer Clinical/Lecturer faculty at UCLA and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
She also enjoys musical “jam sessions” and mixed martial arts. She may be found on weekends, mountain biking/hiking/running off the Santa Monica or Topanga Canyon trails with her family and friends.
Dr. Shiva Barukhim, DDS
President
Dr. Shiva Borukhim grew up in Los Angeles and received her Bachelor of Science and Doctor of Dental Surgery degrees from UCLA, graduating Magna Cum Laude and as a member of the National Dental Honor Society.
She is proud to have continued her education at UCLA’s Pediatric Dentistry residency program and was a recipient of the Pugh Achievement Award.
She practices locally in West Hollywood and West L.A. and balances her time with her wonderful and supportive husband and their two bright and energetic sons.
She is honored to be the President of the SCSDC this year and is looking forward to another year of collaboration and comradery!
Dr. Anna Chamberlain, DDS, MPH
President Elect
Dr. Chamberlain is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist. She received her dental degree from the Rio de Janeiro State University and practiced general dentistry in Brazil before moving to Los Angeles, California. She obtained her DDS degree from UCLA School of Dentistry, where she received the Section of Pediatric Dentistry Award in recognition of excellence.
After dental school, she continued at UCLA to complete her pediatric dentistry residency program and a Master of Public Health degree concurrently.
She developed her love for pediatric dentistry back in Brazil, when her adult patients also trusted her with the oral care of their children. She believes in early prevention, family-oriented oral health education and individualized treatment plan based on each child’s need. Her gentle touch and kindness allow patients to feel safe and comfortable during dental appointments as she uses age-appropriate techniques to provide excellent care to children of all ages.
Dr. Chamberlain feels honored to be part of the Executive Board of the Southern California Society of Dentistry for Children. She serves as volunteer faculty at UCLA Department of Pediatric Dentistry and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry.
When not practicing dentistry, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Dr. Jennifer Villalta, DDS, MPH
Vice-President, Website & Social Media Content Creator
Dr. Jen is a California native with roots in South Central Los Angeles and in Northern California's Wine Country. She started her career as a Registered Dental Assistant specializing in orthodontics and pediatrics. She transferred to UCLA and obtained her B.S. in Physiological Sciences.
After graduation she backpacked for a year and was part of two humanitarian missions; an experience that sparked a desire to be able to provide care in a greater capacity. She returned to San Francisco where she worked as an orthodontic RDA while she completed dental school at the University of Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni in San Francisco. Her love for giving back to underserved communities and children who experienced the highest rates of childhood caries, led her to pursue specializing in pediatric dentistry. as well as obtaining her Masters in Public Health from UCLA.
In her free time she loves to travel and try new things, like snowboarding, drifting, and skydiving. On the weekends you can usually catch her riding her bike, at the beach, or trying a new restaurant with friends.
Dr. Les Latner
Treasurer
Dr. Lisa Nguyen, DDS, FAAPD
Secretary, Media
Dr. Lisa B. Nguyen is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and received her DDS from New York University College of Dentistry in 2008 and her certificate in pediatric dentistry from Staten Island University Hospital in 2011.
Dr. Nguyen currently serves as the Associate Director for UCLA School of Dentistry’s Community-Based Clinical Education program, an assistant clinical professor in UCLA’s pediatric dentistry residency program and is a clinician at a federally qualified health center. She is passionate about supporting all children on their journey to achieving their dreams, whatever they may be!
Dr. Phil Trask
Executive Member
Dr. Melissa Grant
Executive Member
Dr. Melissa Grant is a Southern California native, raised in the sunny Los Angeles suburb of Manhattan Beach. She completed her Bachelors of Science degree in Biology at UC San Diego. There, she also worked as a behavioral therapist for children with autism and special needs, specializing in behavior guidance strategies and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
She received her Doctorate of Dental Surgery at the UCLA School of Dentistry, where she graduated summa cum laude and earned the Pierre Fauchard Award as the top student in her graduating class. She then continued at UCLA to complete her residency training in pediatric dentistry. She now practices in the Los Angeles area, and is grateful to treat children and families not far from her hometown.
In her spare time, Dr. Grant loves cooking for family and friends, attending local concerts, and adventuring through National Parks with her husband.
Dr. Zarina Bell
Executive Member
Dr. Zarina Bell was born in Kazakhstan and from a very young age she traveled throughout Central Asia, Eastern Europe and all the continental states in the US. This is probably why she has an insatiable curiosity to see the world, learn from different cultures and acquire knowledge through direct experiences and interactions.
She completed her undergraduate education at University of Illinois at Chicago in Kinesiology. In 2013, she earned her DDS degree from University of Michigan School of Dentistry, Go Blue! Throughout her life and educational career, she has always been passionate about prevention, which is why she loves pediatric dentistry.
She completed UCLA Pediatric Dentistry Residency and now lives with her husband in the South Bay. Now that she has attained her academic goals she has the privilege to give back to underserved communities. When she's not at work you can find her traveling with her husband and enjoying the outdoors.
Dr. Catherine Pham
Executive Member
Hi! I'm Catherine Pham and I'm a Pediatric Dentist. Working with kids is a whole lot of fun because they bring so much excitement and are fun-sized like me! My passion in life is to teach. I am a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC where I get to work with dental students and pediatric dental residents.
Outside of the dental office, I enjoy spending time with my husband: going on hikes, hanging out with our friends, and finding all the best restaurants in LA to try! I also love to bake; even though I’m a dentist, I have the biggest sweet tooth!