Coastal Kids Dentistry & Orthodontics
Eastlake

Dr. Samuel Russom is a board-certified pediatric dentist who brings warmth, expertise, and a playful spirit to children's dental care. After completing his dental education at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), where he served as Vice President of his class and graduated as a member of the prestigious Omicron Kappa Upsilon dental honor society, Dr. Russom pursued his passion for pediatric dentistry through specialized training at the University of Southern California (USC).

His decision to focus on pediatric dentistry stems from a genuine love for working with children and a deep understanding of the importance of positive early dental experiences. "Having a good experience at the dentist is crucial," Dr. Russom explains. "Early positive experiences lead to better oral health outcomes in adulthood and a lifetime of healthy smiles."

Dr. Russom's approach to patient care combines clinical excellence with a light-hearted, engaging manner that puts both children and parents at ease. He believes in making dental visits fun while delivering top-quality care, often using humor and playful banter to help children feel comfortable. One of his favorite moments is making kids laugh while working on their teeth – a skill he's mastered over the years.

A particularly meaningful experience in his career involved helping a 7-year-old patient overcome severe dental anxiety. After successful treatment, seeing her return pain-free, eating well, and actually enjoying dental visits reinforced his commitment to pediatric dentistry. "Moments like these remind me why I chose this field," he shares.

When he's not creating healthy smiles, Dr. Russom can often be found unwinding at local coffee shops with a good fantasy novel – he's currently immersed in Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive series. A self-proclaimed "comic and fantasy nerd," he brings this same enthusiasm and imagination to his dental practice, making each visit an adventure for his young patients.

Dr. Russom's dedication to his work is deeply rooted in the values instilled by his hardworking parents, who held multiple jobs to support his education. This background drives his commitment to providing honest, high-quality care to every patient who visits his practice.

Whether he's sharing jokes with patients, discussing proper oral hygiene with parents, or hosting a BBQ (his favorite weekend activity), Dr. Russom approaches everything with genuine enthusiasm and care. His unique combination of professional expertise and playful personality makes him a trusted partner in your child's dental health journey.

Education and Achievements:
- Doctor of Dental Surgery, University of California San Francisco (UCSF)
- Pediatric Dentistry Residency, University of Southern California (USC)
- Member, Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society
- Vice President of UCSF Dental Class

Dr. Olga Alvarado brings warmth, expertise, and a genuine passion for children's dental health to our practice. A graduate of the prestigious University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Alvarado knew early on that pediatric dentistry was her calling, drawn to the unique energy and enthusiasm that children bring to the dental office.

Born in Ukraine and moving to America at age three, Dr. Alvarado brings a multicultural perspective to her practice (and yes, she's fluent in Russian!). Her journey in dentistry has been shaped by her belief in treating every patient as if they were her own child, applying conservative treatment approaches and emphasizing preventive care.

Dr. Alvarado's approach to pediatric dentistry is both playful and professional. She has a special talent for making dental visits fun and engaging, often discussing favorite movies with her patients or playing games like "what animal does this tooth look like?" Before young patients know it, their visit is complete, and they're choosing their prize!

As a mother of twins born in 2020, Dr. Alvarado understands firsthand the importance of creating positive dental experiences for children. Her own children's enthusiasm for "playing dentist" at home keeps her connected to the latest in children's entertainment – from Paw Patrol to Disney princesses – helping her relate to her young patients.

When she's not creating healthy smiles, Dr. Alvarado enjoys playing tennis and spending time with her family at the beach, especially during sunset walks. A local favorite spot of hers is the Torrey Pines Gliderport, where she enjoys watching hang gliders and spotting dolphins with her family.

One of her most cherished memories is of purchasing her favorite childhood book, "Fly High, Fly Low," with her saved tooth fairy money – a story she often shares with her young patients. Her love for making children laugh, whether through silly songs or gentle humor, creates an environment where dental visits become an adventure rather than a challenge.

Dr. Alvarado is deeply grateful for the respectful and enthusiastic community she serves, finding joy in the morning energy of the clinic and the honest, often hilarious interactions with her young patients. Every drawn picture from a patient reinforces her passion for pediatric dentistry and reminds her of the positive impact she makes in children's lives.

Her commitment to conservative treatment, prevention-focused care, and creating positive dental experiences makes Dr. Alvarado a trusted partner in your child's oral health journey. She looks forward to welcoming your family to our practice and helping your children develop healthy, beautiful smiles that last a lifetime.

Dr. Mark Macaoay was born in San Diego, CA and has spent most of his life here. He received his Bachelors of Science degree in Mammalian Physiology and Neuroscience from the University of California at San Diego. He then earned his Doctor of Dental Science Degree from the University of the Pacific’s Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco, California. Dr. Macaoay also received a Navy Health Professions Scholarship in dental school and participated in pediatric outreach and organized dentistry during his time there. He graduated with honors and went on to complete an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at Naval Medical Center San Diego. After completing his Navy commitment, Dr. Macaoay returned to University of the Pacific School of Dentistry as a clinical professor and co-director in the International Dental Studies program.

While teaching at the dental university, he practiced in a pediatric dental office where he discovered his passion for children’s dental health. He completed his Pediatric Dental Residency training at St. Barnabas Hospital, a Level I trauma center in New York City. Dr. Macaoay has been featured in publications of the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association and local newspapers. He is a volunteer for UCSD’s Predental Society Student Run Dental Clinic and has participated in international humanitarian dental missions in Fiji, Jamaica, and Jerusalem.

When Dr. Macaoay is not helping children achieve healthy smiles, you can find him reading, traveling, hiking, training for triathlons, and spending quality time with his family.

Dr. Joel Wong brings warmth, expertise, and a genuine passion for working with children to his pediatric dental practice. A graduate of the University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine, Dr. Wong completed his specialized training in pediatric dentistry at the prestigious Woodhull Medical Center Pediatric Dentistry Program.

Dr. Wong's approach to pediatric dentistry is built on creating positive, lasting relationships with both his young patients and their families. He believes in making every dental visit an opportunity for children to feel empowered about their oral health. "I want kids to feel comfortable expressing their feelings, whether they're excited or nervous," says Dr. Wong. "By helping them understand and explore the dental environment, we can build the foundation for lifelong oral health habits."

One of his most rewarding experiences has been helping anxious patients transform their fear into enthusiasm. He recalls a particularly memorable patient who initially came in terrified of dental procedures but, through patience and playful approaches like pretend dentist role-play, now eagerly looks forward to his dental visits.

Born without wisdom teeth himself, Dr. Wong brings a unique perspective and plenty of humor to his practice. When he's not creating healthy smiles, you can find him enjoying Southern California's outdoor lifestyle - fishing, surfing, or lobster diving with his family. He particularly enjoys unwinding at the meditation gardens in Encinitas.

Dr. Wong's dedication to pediatric dentistry runs in the family - his older brother, a general dentist, inspired his career change into dentistry, and his wife Debbie is an orthodontist. Together with their daughter Juni and their beach-loving dog Tito, they're proud to call San Diego home since 2022.

His favorite part of each day is getting to know his patients, and he has a foolproof method for breaking the ice - blowing up a glove balloon for a unique high-five that never fails to bring smiles. Dr. Wong's commitment to creating positive dental experiences is evident in everything he does, from his cheerful chairside manner to his genuine interest in each child's comfort and well-being.

A strong believer in community involvement, Dr. Wong appreciates San Diego's family-friendly atmosphere and abundance of outdoor activities. He and his wife first met while volunteering at a Give Kids a Smile event, demonstrating their shared commitment to giving back to the community through dental care.

Whether he's sharing his love for "Where the Wild Things Are" with young patients or making them laugh with his silly antics, Dr. Wong's goal remains constant: to make every dental visit a positive experience that builds toward a lifetime of healthy smiles.

As the oldest of four siblings, Dr. Cyrus Aghdam grew up in Maryland and is a proud native of the state. His education includes an orthodontics certificate from Eastman at the University of Rochester and completion of the Spark Clear Aligners Master Course. Dr. Aghdam is a member of the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) and has a true passion for the art of smile transformation.

After joining our practice, Dr. Aghdam has made an exceptional impact on patients by partnering with them to bring them a beautiful, more confident smile through orthodontic care. He enjoys the rewarding experience of seeing patients enjoy their new smiles, as well as the challenge of navigating complex cases and delivering the best outcomes. Outside of work, Dr. Aghdam enjoys relaxing evenings watching TV; his favorite show is The Office!