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At Zak Dental, we are dedicated to continuously teaming up with the most qualified dental professionals and specialists. Learn more about our Star Dental Team of general/cosmetic dentists, oral surgeons, orthodontists, endodontists, hygienists, and periodontists.
If you live in Southern California, feel free to Schedule a New Patient Visit with us in Zak Dental offices in Agoura Hills, Covina, Downey, El Cajon, Long Beach, North Park, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Simi Valley, Temecula, Valencia, Ventura, and Whittier, California.
For all your dental needs, call to schedule an appointment 833-ZAK-TEAM.
Dr. Ilya Zak is the Founder and Visionary of our Wellness³² Dental Team. His passion for dental care took hold at a tender age of 10 when he began to shadow his dentist father, Dr. Boris Zak and volunteer at a local dental lab. He solidified his calling when he graduated from University of Southern California Dental School in 1990, and shorty after opened his first practice in an underserved community of Simi Valley in 1994.. He enriched his career and scope of practice by also completing his TMJ/Pain Management residency at White Memorial Hospital and became a qualified medical examiner for TMJ dysfunction in California. Dr. Zak’s passion is mentoring other dentist professionals. He served as a part-time clinical instructor at his alma mater, USC Dental School, and is currently a clinical instructor of the UCLA Dental School. Dr. Zak brought his experience as an educator into the Zak Dental practices by adopting many of the quality assurance steps practices an dental education institutions in the private settings of all Zak Dental locations.
Dr. Howard Kopel, DDS, attended USC School of Dentistry and has been working in the field for more than 3 decades. He has received excellent training in every dental field, and he has received numerous awards for excellence in oral cancer diagnosis. He utilizes his keen understanding of comprehensive dental care to ensure that his treatment plans are optimized for the ultimate goal of enhancing patients’ wellness. In his free time, Dr. Kopel loves to race fast cars, play tennis, and spend time with his family.
Dr. Michael Vito is an alumnus of University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, a top 5 dental school where he received Doctor of Dental Surgery. Dr. Vito has additional training in hospital based dentistry, treating medically compromised patients. He continues to keep current with the latest research and advancements by taking regular CE classes including Laser Dentistry, Cosmetic Dentistry, Implants, and Invisalign. He is committed to providing excellent and comprehensive dental care to each and every one of his patients. He practices all aspects of general dentistry. He looks forward to help you maintain great oral health through his gentle and empathetic care. In his spare time, he cherishes spending time with his family, traveling coaching baseball. Dr. Vito believes in treating all of his patients as if they were family.
I am a San Diego Native and moved back to San Diego after graduating from Roseman University, College of Dental Medicine in 2018. I am a firm believer in preventative and conservative dentistry. The best part of my job is getting to know my patients and helping them achieve their oral health goals. In my free time I like to cook, garden, go to the beach, and spend time with my family.
Biography Dr. Brian Toorani is a 1999 graduate from the University Of The Pacific, School Of Dentistry. He has devoted his career to successfully integrating the latest techniques and the best technology in dentistry. He has surgically placed and restored dental implants since 2002. He is a true supporter of minimally invasive-dentistry and believes in recreating beautiful natural healthy smiles with a conservative approach. He has earned his Associate Fellowship from the World Clinical Laser Institute (WCLI), his Fellowship in the International Dental Implant Association (FIDIA), and Fellowship in the International College of Dentists (FICD), an organization dedicated to the recognition of outstanding professional achievement, meritorious service, and the continued progress in the profession of dentistry for the benefit of all humankind. He has been a local and national trainer for CEREC, Guided Implant surgery, and Biolase Lasers. Dr Toorani has served on the Orange County Dental Society Board of Directors, California Dental Association House of Delegates, the American Dental Association House of Delegates, and the American Dental Association Wellness Program as an Ambassador of Mental Health in Dentistry. He was the past Chair for the Orange County Dental Society Wellness Committee. His smiling nature, gentle touch, and dedication to excellence make him a true leader in the dental community. He is often noted for his passion, enthusiasm, and high energy. At home, Dr Toorani enjoys spending time with his 3 children (Maya, Brandon, Justin) and his wife, Michelle. Dr Toorani is a pilot and in his spare time, he enjoys flying, snowboarding, watching his kids’ sports events, and cheering for the LAKERS!
Dr. Paul graduated from USC Dental School. He has more than 15 years of experience in the dental field. Dr. Paul has been treatment planning and treating more than 50,000 patients. He emphasis on the patient’s overall well being and his ability to prioritize treatment plans to any budget has allowed him to enhance the oral health of nearly all patients that he sees irrespective of their financial challenges.
I was born and raised in the suburbs outside of LA and stayed local for college and dental school, graduating from the University of Southern California twice! I chose dentistry because as a kid I had a transformative experience at the dentist. I went from being shy to outgoing and I want to pay that forward. In my free time, I’m an avid foodie, I enjoy cooking, spending time with friends and family, and working out.
My name is Dr. James Le and I graduated May of 2023 at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California at the top of my class. I have started working as a fully licensed dentist November of that same year and have been eagerly gaining experience. I chose dentistry because of how rewarding it can be to help patients regain their smile and confidence using my own two hands. Having a wonderful support group and working as a team makes each treatment feel like a win. Though my career has only just begun, work life in the dental field has taught me to be a patient human being and engage each moment with a patient with compassion and empathy. Aside from dentistry, I enjoy learning DIY things on home improvement, car maintenance, and cooking. I also play the occasional tennis and pickleball while also working out at the gym.
Dr. Charles Chung graduated from Loma Linda University’s School of Dentistry in 1999. While there, he went on many volunteer missions in southern California and South America that involved dental work and inner-city volunteering. He is a member of the American Dental Association and California Dental Association. His work is always precise and performed calmly, making him very popular with patients.
My name is Dr. Zach Ward, and I am excited to be coming back to the bay area after a few years away. I graduated from La Cañada High School in 2008, after which I received my Bachelor’s of Science degree from Brigham Young University in Economics. Toward the end of my time there, I discovered that I did not want a career in economics. A family friend invited me to his dental practice. I saw a few patients get new smiles, and I knew what I had to do. Four years later, I left the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine, D.M.D. degree in hand, and set out to make my way back to Southern California. Dental school provided me with many opportunities to learn and serve in the nearby community. I was privileged to serve as Class President all four years and was able to coordinate service opportunities for classmates throughout the area. While I felt prepared to treat patients upon graduating, I chose to train for an additional year in an Advanced Education in General Dentistry program at UCLA. This past year, I have been working at the UCLA clinic in Venice and gaining valuable experience in a variety of complex treatments, including endodontics, oral surgery, implant placement and restoration, full mouth rehabilitation, and occlusal management to help with chronic TMJ issues. This training has prepared me to serve you with the highest standard of dental care available to patients today. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my wife, Kate, and our three children, Henry (5), Benjamin (3), and Grace (born May 2021). I am and always have been an avid Dodgers, Lakers, and UCLA fan (but will not hold it against anyone for being a Trojans fan). I am thrilled with the opportunity to be a part of this practice. I have always admired their passion for dentistry, his kindness, and his conservative approach, and I look forward to providing the same service to all of you.
Dr. Schaeffer graduated with honors from the University of the Pacific, School of Dentistry in 1996. In his 25 years as a dentist, he has attended numerous graduate education programs and has earned certificates in CAD/CAM dentistry from Sirona as well as implant dentistry from the Misch International Implant Institute.He strongly believes in giving back to the community and recently volunteered with the US Navy aboard the USNS Comfort on its 2018 Humanitarian Mission to South America.
Dr. Hessam Toossi is a graduate of the University of Southern California (USC), where he received his DDS degree. He joined Dr. Zak's team in 2019 and has been a staple of our Wellness32 Team!
Dr. Wu believes that patient comfort should be a priority and strives to make all his patients feel they are receiving excellent and compassionate dental care. He is a firm believer that the best tools for fighting delta disease are patient education and early prevention. Dr. Wu grew up in Taipei and moved to Canada for high school and university. He received his undergraduate studies and Doctor of Dental Surgeon degree in University of Toronto. During his studies, he was featured on the Dean’s list for multiple years as the undergraduate level and published several research papers on regenerative medicine. Dr. Wu is a member of the California Dental Association. During his free time, Dr. Wu enjoys playing badminton recreationally and competitively. He also loves to travel and does photography/videography occasionally.
Dr. Raffi Asadorian joined our Wellness32 Team in 2019. He received his DDS from the University of California in San Francisco in 2012. He specializes in a wide scope of oral surgical procedures including impacted 3rd molar and complicated extractions, alveoloplasty, and biopsies.
Dr. Klejda Bejleri is passionate about the science and art of Dentistry. She believes in working collaboratively with her patients to help them achieve and maintain their oral health and is committed to providing compassionate, comprehensive dental care of the highest standard that will improve the health and quality of life of her patients.
Dr. Robert I. Zama was born in Romania where he attended Dental School at University of Medicine and Pharmacy Grigore T. Popa. He graduated in 2010 with the title of Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry. After immigrating to the United States, Dr. Zama attended the Advanced Standing Program for International Dentists at USC where he was top of his class in Restorative Dentistry. Dr. Zama takes great pride in his work and goes above and beyond to meet his patients expectations and provide them with quality and painless dental care. In his spare time Dr. Zama enjoys spending time with his son. His hobbies also include, hiking, mountain biking and traveling. One of his passions aside from dentistry is learning new languages. In his free time, he likes to restore old watches, clay sculpting and playing the piano.
Dr. Aiham Machhadani graduated from Damascus University in Syria in 1999. He then continued his education at California's Dr. Duggan Study Institute. Dr. Machhadani then continued his education at Columbia University, earning his specialty certification in Endodontics in 1999. For nearly 20 years, Dr. Machhadani has serviced patients in southern California. In his spare time, Dr. Machhadani lives an active life playing soccer and tennis.
While I come from a quantitative physics background, I am passionate about what I do as an endodontist. I moved to San Diego in 2023 and love nature, traveling, hiking, and music. In my free time, I read books, explore new coffee shops, and plan for new travel spots. You can expect to receive my full attention, care, and expertise as we preserve your natural teeth and relieve pain and discomfort due to dental pulp infections or injuries. I will tailor a treatment plan to your unique situation!
I have been a dentist for 12 years, and I continue to learn everyday! I was fortunate to go to dental school in Boston and then a GPR in New York for several years and yet get the luxury of living in the amazing Southern California where I did my Endodontic specialty training. I love working with my hands and meeting new people on a daily basis as an aspect of the profession which I continue to hone. I love what I do, and I do it very often! I have learned the importance of giving value to all moments, and generally enjoying the ins and outs of the day, whatever it may bring forth. I personally enjoy playing soccer, kinking and hanging out with family and friends. Although my favorite hobby is traveling and learning about new cultures and people’s way of life. Lastly, I have resided in California on and off for 17 years.
Dr. Asatani graduated Loma Linda Dental School in 1993. Enjoy all aspects of general dentistry. I come from a family of dentists. Father is an orthodontist and younger brother is a dentist as well. Five uncles are dentists so it runs in the family. Enjoy traveling and exploring nature’s natural wonders in my spare time.
Dr. Mai Phan initially received her Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of California, Irvine. Then, Dr. Mai Phan went on to obtain her DDS from USC. She is a gentle individual by nature, and strives to provide great services and care to her patients. Dr. Mai Phan tries to complete her work in a fashion she truly stands behind. Her expertise as a dentist is laser assisted periodontal management, hygiene cosmetic fillings, veneers, inlay/onlays, teeth whitening. In her spare time, D. Mai enjoys books, traveling and spending time with her family.
Originally from Orlando, FL, I graduated from the University of Florida College of Dentistry in 2010 and went on to complete a one-year advanced dentistry program at the VA Medical Center in Birmingham, AL. I then returned to Orlando and practiced as an “exodontist” (tooth extraction dentist) at a community clinic in Orlando, FL while growing my own emergency-based dental practice focusing on extractions and IV sedation. After the birth of my son in 2019, my wife and I decided to move to San Diego for a change of scenery and to spend more time outdoors. I now divide my time between my office in Orlando, FL and Dr. Zak Dental Clinics in San Diego, CA. I devote at least 100 hours per year to continuing education focused on oral surgery and the safe administration of IV conscious sedation. I am a firm believer in the Golden Rule and strive to treat all patients with understanding and compassion.
Dr. William Olson attended Loma Linda University, graduating in 1987. His entire family is in the medical field which is what made him become a dentist. His passion is doing restorative and cosmetic work, and seeing his patients smile after the work is done. It brings him a huge satisfaction when he helps patients reach their ultimate goal when it comes to their smile. One fun fact about him is that he likes to go hiking, skiing and loves dogs.
Dr. Jacob Agatstein was born in Los Angeles, California. After attending Yeshiva University for his undergraduate studies, Dr. Agatstein received his DMD (Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry) from University of Pennsylvania's School of Dental Medicine. He then continued his studies receiving his specialty license in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery from Harbor UCLA (University of California in Los Angeles) Medical Center. During his residency, he trained alongside surgeons and anesthesiologists in the treatment of a full range of oral and facial treatments and the administration of anesthesia. After completing his specialization, Dr. Agatstein served as an Attending Physician at the Harbor UCLA Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery program, training other residents in the practice of Oral Surgery. He also continued to work in private practice in offices throughout the Greater Los Angeles area. In treating thousands of patients, Dr. Agatstein's commitment to providing his patients with personal attention, education and outstanding care, is very apparent.
Dr. Kristen Miller is graduated from UCLA with general dental education and UCSF with her orthodontist training. She graduated the class as top 5% students. She was also the Vice President of her dental school class. Dr. Miller participated in the UCSF mobile clinic. She is fluent in Spanish.
Dr. Micaela Zavardinos is our new Orthodontic Provider in San Diego Kearny Mesa office. She enjoys working with people and educating patients on the importance of oral health and how orthodontic treatment not only improves esthetics, but also function. Outside of work, she enjoys the beach, swimming, running and drawing.
I have been practicing dentistry for 3 years now. I chose to work in dentistry because I enjoy working with patients on their dental journey and helping people be confident in their individual smies. I really enjoy seeing patients commit to their dental journey. I was top 5 producer at my dental school. I really enjoy playing golf. I was born and raised in California.
Dr. Aghevli is a graduate of UCLA School of Dentistry. She has practiced in the Southland for a number of years and is especially proud of her work within underserved communities treating patients in mobile clinics and presenting classes in oral health and hygiene at local community centers. She has also served as the pastor of a small church is a lover of art, history, nature and a proud mom of three beautiful children.
I’ve been a dentist for over 6 years now. I grew up in the Bay Area and went to NYU College of Dentistry before moving to southern California. I have a passion for help my patients achieve their best smile by providing the best preventative and chair side care. Some of hobbies include music, writing, films, and traveling.
When I was a small child, my parents moved to San Diego, where I also completed my high school education. After pursuing my studies at the University of California, Riverside, I was awarded a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry. I graduated from the University of Pacific, Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco with a doctorate in dental surgery. I picked dentistry as my career because it's a field that blends entrepreneurship, science, art, creativity, and patient engagement. Seeing my patients smile and happy after treatment is the most fulfilling aspect of my job as a dentist. I've learned from working as a dentist that you can never learn enough to advance your profession. I like to spend time with my family, walking at the park, and watching movies.
Dr. Leeds earned her dental degree from UCLA School of Dentistry in 2006 and completed an additional year of training in Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) at USC School of Dentistry in 2007. Dr. Leeds is committed to staying current with the latest research by reading dental articles and taking continuing education courses. She is a member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and San Fernando Valley Dental Society. Her goal is to empower her patients with the education and knowledge to make informed decisions about their oral health, which directly affects their overall health and wellbeing. She strives to provide excellent and compassionate care to each and every one of her patients as if they are her family. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, reading and shopping.
Dr. Nischit Shah is a dedicated periodontist based in Fountain Valley, who has been passionately serving his patients since 2018. Dr. Shah is known for his gentle and empathetic approach, ensuring patient comfort at every step. He excels in providing detailed and thorough explanations, helping patients understand their diagnoses and treatment options. Dr. Shah is particularly committed to the education of his patients, emphasizing the importance of gum health, a frequently overlooked aspect of dental care. He chose the field of periodontics to make a significant impact in educating patients about the oral microbiome and its crucial link to overall health. Dr. Shah's expertise includes a range of specialized procedures such as gum surgery, soft tissue grafts, bone grafts, tooth extractions, and dental implants. His approach is not only to treat but also to empower his patients with knowledge and practical advice for maintaining excellent oral hygiene.
Dr. Daniel Kruk-Leahy (a.k.a. “Dr. Dan”) is a graduate of the prestigious Advanced Periodontology and Implantology Specialty Program at the University of Southern California. As a USC trained surgeon he has been involved in extensive research focusing on preserving teeth, placing dental implants, full mouth rehabilitations, esthetic procedures, as well as gum & bone grafting. Dr. Dan is also certified in IV Parenteral Sedation and has earned a Master of Science on Biomedical Implants and Tissue Engineering. Before joining this specialty program at USC, he received his DDS at the University of California, Los Angeles.
My name is Maria Bravo and I am a dental hygienist. I became interested in hygiene came when I first volunteered at a dental office in Wilmington, CA for about 6 months. I love working with patients and hope to volunteer soon across the nation.
My name is Dr. Kim and I am a proud graduate of USC's dental program. I graduated in 2021 and have been serving patients in California for the last 3 years. I recently moved to Santa Barbara, and am open to any and all suggestions for food and activities. My hobbies include cooking, playing guitar and watching basketball. I am very excited to meet you and to help you achieve your dental goals.
I truly enjoy both the art and the science of dentistry. It allows me to interact with people and help make a difference in people's health. I'm a graduate of Ohio State University College of Dentistry in 1988. Southern California is a beautiful place to live with a community of patients that I have enjoyed for years. Dental continuing education has always been a priority of mine and I look forward to continuing to learn and develop my skills as a dentist.
Dr. Ilya Zak is the Founder and Visionary of our Wellness³² Dental Team. His passion for dental care took hold at a tender age of 10 when he began to shadow his dentist father, Dr. Boris Zak and volunteer at a local dental lab. He solidified his calling when he graduated from University of Southern California Dental School in 1990, and shorty after opened his first practice in an underserved community of Simi Valley in 1994.. He enriched his career and scope of practice by also completing his TMJ/Pain Management residency at White Memorial Hospital and became a qualified medical examiner for TMJ dysfunction in California. Dr. Zak’s passion is mentoring other dentist professionals. He served as a part-time clinical instructor at his alma mater, USC Dental School, and is currently a clinical instructor of the UCLA Dental School. Dr. Zak brought his experience as an educator into the Zak Dental practices by adopting many of the quality assurance steps practices an dental education institutions in the private settings of all Zak Dental locations.
Sonya (Sophia) Zak joined the Zak Dental team in 2010 following her graduation from Stanford Graduate School of Business with a PhD in Management Sciences. She also received a dual BA/BS degree from UC Berkeley in Business Administration and Psychology in 2004. She currently oversees all non clinical operational support functions of Zak Dental including Revenue Cycle Management, Patient Journey, Marketing & Team Building and Business Intelligence. She is passionate about utilizing her deep understanding of culture and social behavior. in optimizing our Patients’ Wellness³² Journey and organically developing and nurturing our Zak Dental.
Edwin is the Director of Operations at Zak Dental Care and ensures the company’s offices processes are aligned with the ability to enhance patient Wellness³². Edwin currently focuses on our team’s overall expenditures, procurement and resource allocation, company-wide compliance of protocols, operational development, and administrative mentorship. Before becoming Zak Dental’s Director of Operations in 2020, Edwin served as the regional manager and helped lead administrative and revenue processes, training processes, implementation of new systems, human resources, staffing, information technology infrastructure maintenance. During his tenure Wellness³² Team and the Zak Dental practices achieved more than 100% growth through the acquisition of 6 dental offices, in addition to more than a 30% revenue increase among the existing offices. Before joining Zak Dental, Edwin was part of a large dental chain, where he quickly grew from a dental reception to treatment coordinator and finally a dental office manager. The practice under his leadership become one of the most successful and exemplary practices inthe chain. Edwin earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Chicago. Outside of work, Edwin likes to drive fast cars, build super fast computers :), and spend time with his family.
Jerilee Malang graduated from Bryman College in 2003 as a dental assistant. She always had a passion for helping others and always knew she wanted to dedicate herself to a career that allowed her this rewarding experience. Her career in dentistry started in 2004 at Zak Dental Care as an xray technician. In 2007, she furthered herself in her profession and obtained her Registered Dental Assistant License. Expanding her knowledge in all aspects of dentistry has given her a deep understanding of the field and most of all doing her best to help all her patients in achieving perfect smiles. She is coming on her 16th anniversary at Zak Dental and is proud to be part of a team who cares about their patients. In her spare time she loves to play videogames, loves anything with Harry Potter on it, goes on mini adventures with her dog and likes to try new things especially when she travels.
Bianca Koohbanani is a transformative technology and data leader in the dental industry, specializing in operational innovation, IT infrastructure, and analytics. As Director of Data & Technology for a multi-location dental organization in Southern California, she spearheads initiatives that modernize patient-provider experiences — from real-time KPI dashboards and training platforms to 3D printing integration and digital exam enhancements across all Zak Dental locations. After earning her Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences from the University of South Florida, Bianca began her career in cancer pathology research at Moffitt Cancer Center. In 2012, she transitioned to California, dedicating her career to advancing the dental field through data-driven strategies, cutting-edge technology, and process optimization. She has since built robust IT ecosystems, led multi-departmental digital transformations, and empowered teams through education and innovation. When she’s not developing new dashboards or optimizing networks, Bianca enjoys playing golf, competitive gaming, and hiking.
Suelem Guerrero graduated from the University of California San Diego and received a bachelor's degree in communications . After living in Florida for about a year, she moved back to California and found a job in the dental field where she discovered her passion and career. She has been in the dental field for 10 years now. She enjoys cooking, organizing, cleaning, loves to travel, loves her dog goofy and goes to Disneyland as many times as possible in her spare time. She loves to provide great customer service and cares for her patients like family to help them achieve their smile goals.
Alejandra joined the dental field 12 years ago while attending college for child development. It was then when she realized her love and passion for the dental field. Helping others and achieving their perfect smiles is what makes her happy. In her spare time, she enjoys spending quality time with her daughters and baking cakes.
I have spent the past 26 years serving others in the dental field. I love people and enjoy working with others. I have hands-on experience with patients in both the back office as a dental assistant, as well as all aspects of front office administration, including management, insurance billing and coordinating treatment. I enjoy helping others find the best way to move forward with the exceptional care they deserve. I have dedicated my efforts to making sure our patients receive quality, personalized care and while ensuring they are comfortable at all times. I enjoy spending time with my grown children and grandchildren as often as possible, and of course we cannot forget our fur babies, who are also an essential part of our family and are involved in many outdoor family activities. I have recently transitioned into managing our specialty department with Zak Dental and am very excited to be a part of the specialty process. I am happy to be able to help our patients navigate through the process with insurance to receive the specialty care they need and love working with our specialists to help insure it is a great experience for all. I look forward to continuing my serve to others in our offices.