Sophia Kang, D.D.S., M.S.D.
Dr. H. Sophia Kang completed her undergraduate studies at University of California, Berkeley. She received her dental training at University of Southern California School of Dentistry, where she was inducted into Omega Kappa Upsilon, a national dental honorary society, which is given to only the top of each graduating class. After receiving her DDS degree, she further pursued specialty training in Endodontics at Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, CA.
Having grown up in Southern California, she looks forward to serving and becoming a part of the Conejo Valley community and plans to stay involved in academia when not practicing in the offices. Dr. Kang is a member of the American Association of Endodontists, the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association, the Santa Barbara/Ventura County Dental Society and Conejo Valley Academy of Dentistry.
Marie De Weese - Office Manager - 3/2000 - present
Marie has been with our office for over 18 years and brings more than 38 years of experience to the office. From clinical to clerical experience, private offices, corporate, group and HMO practices. As well as general dentistry, she has had the opportunity to work with every specialty: perio, pedo, ortho, prostho, oral surgery and endodontics. Marie has been an auditor for a dental health plan and staff trainer with a large multi state, multi office group practice. She was a trainer for Trojan Professional Services and Carecredit, as well as, a trainer, sales and support staff for a dental management software. She then began independent training for several dental software companies and consulting with dentists on practice management issues. When Marie is not managing our Westlake Village and Simi Valley offices, she volunteers as the secretary for the Conejo Valley Academy of Dentistry, (for the past 15+ years) and is commissioned in the State of California as a Notary Public since 2004..
Trina - Front Office Supervisor - Receptionist - 12/2001 to Present
Trina did not have dental experience when she joined our front office team in December of 2001. 14 years ago she accepted the challenge of taking on a whole new career path and has amazed us all at what she has learned and accomplished. She caught on quickly and became the front office supervisor after a few years on staff. Trina keeps the doctors and staff laughing with her quirky sense of humor. This always helps put the patients at ease. She has volunteered her time with the Conejo Valley Academy of Dentistry and is currently embarking on a healthy lifestyle opportunity. She travels between our Westlake Village and Simi Valley offices making sure our patients are well cared for.
Sharon - Insurance Administrator - 11/1999 - 6/2003 & 11/2005 to Present
Sharon joined SCEG in November of 1999. She was a receptionist until she moved away briefly in June of 2003. Sharon returned to SCEG in November of 2005 as the insurance administrator in our Simi Valley office. She has over 37 years of dental experience, 14 of those years in our offices and the previous years were in orthodontics. She obtained her dental assisting and xray certificate at the Bryman School in 1978. Her primary responsibility is in administration, but is always willing to assist the doctors or dental assistants if needed. She also assists the office manager taking care of the office computers, machines and duties associated with the Conejo Valley Academy of Dentistry.
Susan - Dental Assistant - 10/2003 - 3/2005 & 6/2007 to Present
Susan is a member of our back office team. She obtained her dental assisting and xray certificate 30 years ago at the Bryman School. She joined SCEG in October of 2003 and took a brief hiatus in March of 2005 and returned in June of 2007. Her total time with us is over 11 years. Susan has worked in Private general and corporate dentistry and specialty (ortho and perio) practices. She has a 4+ hour daily total commute and has since she began here in 2003. What a compliment! She has assisted all of the doctors in the practice and has helped the front office when needed, but is primarily responsible for Dr. Ghahraman and Dr. Kang's team traveling between our offices and seeing that her patients are well taken care of.
Angela - Dental Assistant - 10/2006 to Present
Angela is a member of our back office team. Although, she did not have dental experience when she joined us in October of 2006, almost 10 years ago, she accepted the challenge of taking on a whole new career path and has amazed us all at what she has learned and accomplished. The doctors provided for her schooling to obtain her xray certificate and then provided her with one on one endodontic assistant training. She caught on quickly and was asked to take on the huge task of ordering dental supplies for both offices after only a couple of years on staff. She has assisted all of the doctors in the practice and has helped the front office when needed, but is primarily responsible for Dr. Trnavsky's team traveling between our offices and seeing that his patients are well taken care of.
Kelly - Dental Assistant - 1/2007 to Present
Kelly is a member of our back office team. She joined SCEG in January of 2007. She obtained her dental assisting and xray certificate from National Education Center in 1984 and has been with SCEG for 9 years. She has worked in group and private general dentistry practices. Kelly is the office equipment specialist. She volunteered to take care and maintain all of the dental equipment and she does! She always goes the extra mile and with a smile. She has assisted all of the doctors in the practice, but is primarily responsible for Dr. Ghahraman and Dr. Kang's team traveling between our offices and seeing that her patients are well taken care of. Many of our patients fondly recognize her as she has lived in the Conejo Valley since 1964.
Amber - Receptionist/Dental Assistant - 2000-2002, 2006-2012, 2017 to Present
Amber joined SCEG as a back office team member in 2000. She obtained her dental assisting and xray certificate in 1996 at Bryman College. Amber took a brief hiatus and returned to our back office team. Sadly, she had to leave again briefly but returned to our front office team. She has been a part of this office for over 10 years. Her primary responsibility is in administration, but she is also an amazing assistant and is always willing to assist the doctors or dental assistants if needed. She has worked in specialty and general dentistry, group and private practices. Amber's soft voice and nurturing demeanor make her a staff and patient favorite.
Lizbeth "Liz" - Back Office Supervisor - Dental Assistant - 2/2010 to Present
Liz is a member of our back office team and has taken on the huge task as our back office supervisor. She has been an extraordinary addition to this practice. She is focused and concerned and leads the back office team with enthusiasm and strength. She joined SCEG in Febuary of 2010. Liz obtained her dental assisting and xray certificate through her high school ROP program in 2002. She has worked in both private and group general dentistry and specialty (oral surgery, perio) practices. She is soft spoken and nurturing and will put the most anxious patient at ease. Liz has assisted all of the doctors in the practice, but is primarily responsible for Dr. Trnavsky's team traveling between our offices and seeing that his patients are well taken care of.
Gabriela "Gabby" - Receptionist - 5/2014 to Present
Gabriela brings 24 years of experience to SCEG. "Gabby" joined our front office in May of 2014. She attended the Bryman School where she obtained her dental assisting and xray certificate. Her primary responsibility is in administration, but is always willing to assist the doctors or dental assistants if needed. She has worked in group and private practices, in general dentistry and specialty (ortho, pedo, perio) specialists. When Gabby is not in our Simi Valley office making sure our patients are well cared for, she participates in UCLA's Cleft Lip - Hope for Kids foundation.
Monica - Registered Dental Assistant - 5/2015 to Present
Monica is a member of our back office team. She joined SCEG in May of 2015. Monica obtained her dental assisting and xray certificate at The Bryman School in 1985 and went on to get her R.D.A. She has over 30 years of dental experience. She has mainly worked in group practices for general dentists. She has clerical experience and can help the front office as needed. Monica has assisted all of the doctors in the practice, but is primarily responsible for Dr. Ghahraman's team traveling between our offices and seeing that her patients are well taken care of. Were very lucky to have Monica because she is always there when we need her.
Jenn - Dental Assistant - 2016 to Present
Jenn joined the SCEG front office team in 2016, but was asked to fill in and assist and the back office kept her! Her primary responsibility is as the lead assistant on Dr. Pokras' team, but having started in our front office, she is always willing to assist the front office team if needed. She has worked in private general dental officees and specialty practices. Jenn travels between our Westlake Village and Simi Valley offices making sure our patients are well cared for. Jenn is a staff and patient favorite for her bubbly, always happy personality and great smile.
Hector - Admin/Dental Assistant - 2016 to Present
Hector is a member of our front office AND back office team. He joined SCEG in September of 2016. talk about a personality! He is so good with our patients, keeping them at ease and going that extra step to ensure their comfort. Hector has worked in private, group and corporate general and specialty practices. He works in our front office and also on Dr. Ghahraman and Dr. Kang's team traveling between our offices and seeing that the patients are well taken care of.
Dawn - Reseptionist - 2018
Jennifer - Receptionist - 2018
Jennifer joined us in 2018. She is a part of our front office team. She obtained her dental assisting and xray certificate at Simi Adult School in 1998. Her primary responsibility is in administration, but she is always willing to assist the doctors or dental assistants if needed. She has worked in private practices; general dentisry and specialty offices. Jennifer travels between our Westlake Village and Simi Valley offices making sure our patients are well cared for. She had worked for a referring doctor until he retired and knowing us well, joined out team. Jennifer's sweet, easy going and relaxed manner is soothing to our patients.
Lorraine "Lo" - Dental Assistant - 2018
Roxanna - Receptionist - 5/2018 to Present