Coastal Kids Dentistry & Orthodontics
‍Santee

Dr. Jordan Buzzell is a board certified pediatric dentist with a gentle and calm demeanor that puts even the most fearful patients at ease. Dr. “Buzz”, as he is known by his patients, treats every child as he would his own – with compassion, patience, and love. He has extensive experience in working with children with special needs including those born with craniofacial abnormalities like cleft lip and palate. Dr. Buzz prides himself on his conservative yet realistic approach to provide the best possible care for your child. As our Santee office approaches its 7th anniversary, Dr. Buzz is incredibly thankful for the families that call our office home.

After earning an undergraduate degree from Azusa Pacific University and a dental degree at Loma Linda University, Dr. Buzz completed his residency at New York University. He also holds a master’s degree in public health and is the fourth generation in his family to pursue education in this field. He is also a proud Veteran. Dr. Buzz served on active duty in the United States Navy for six years and is currently a member of the Active Reserves. He has received numerous accolades from the military, including the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal.

Dr. Buzz belongs to many professional organizations including the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), San Diego County Dental Society (SDCDS), the American Dental Association (ADA) and the California Dental Association (CDA). He is especially proud to be a member of the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry (CSPD), a nationally recognized leader in organized pediatric dentistry.

Serving the less fortunate is close to Dr. Buzz’s heart, and he has helped countless children locally and internationally. He is a co-founder and co-creator of the Cura Smiles free dental clinic in the City Heights area of San Diego. He is also dedicated to inspiring young people to make a difference in the world and is a professional mentor for students at Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU), as well as an adjunct faculty member on the campus. According to Dr. Buzz, working with children and college students and serving those in need gives him a unique perspective on life. It is his goal to always look at the world through the eyes of a child.

A self-described “beach bum”, Dr. Buzz can often be found at the beach with his family. Dr. Buzz loves sports, electronic dance music (which includes Friday night dance parties with his kids), and is always in pursuit of the perfect breakfast burrito. Dr. Buzz resides here in San Diego with his wife and three young children. The “Buzz” family welcomed their third child to the world in late 2021 so Dr. Buzz has now mastered life with three kids (barely) and looks forward to the day when he and Mrs. Buzz are no longer changing diapers.

Dr. Evelyne Hoang-Yen Vu-Tien is a dedicated pediatric dentist who brings warmth, expertise, and a genuine passion for children's dental health to our practice. A graduate of the University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry, she completed her pediatric specialty training at Rady Children's Hospital, where she honed her skills in providing comprehensive dental care for children of all ages and needs.

Dr. Vu-Tien's journey into pediatric dentistry was shaped by her rich family background, being the eldest of over 20 cousins and growing up in a family with three aunts who were dentists. Her early exposure to dentistry, starting at age 13, combined with her artistic talents and natural caregiving instincts, led her to pursue this rewarding career. She is currently expanding her expertise by pursuing an MBA at the University of San Diego, demonstrating her commitment to both clinical excellence and practice management.

Her philosophy of care is simple yet profound: treat every child as if they were her own. Dr. Vu-Tien believes in providing compassionate, minimally invasive care while creating positive dental experiences that foster lifelong oral health habits. As a mother of two active daughters and a military spouse, she understands the unique challenges and joys of raising a family, which helps her connect meaningfully with her patients and their parents.

Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Vu-Tien is deeply committed to community service. She volunteers monthly with Vituity Cares, providing dental care to San Diego's homeless population, and is actively involved in her children's school community at St. Gregory the Great. A certified yoga instructor, she brings mindfulness and patience to her practice, helping create a calm and welcoming environment for her young patients.

When not caring for patients, Dr. Vu-Tien enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband (a Navy dentist), two daughters, four dogs (including two Korean rescues), and two cats. She can often be found hiking the local canyons, practicing yoga, or planning the next family adventure to Disneyland.

Her greatest joy comes from seeing children excited about their dental visits and taking ownership of their oral health. Whether she's making funny faces to ease anxiety or celebrating a cavity-free checkup, Dr. Vu-Tien's goal is to make every dental visit a positive experience that children look forward to.

Education and Credentials:
- Doctor of Dental Surgery, University of California, San Francisco
- Pediatric Dentistry Residency, Rady Children's Hospital
- MBA Candidate, University of San Diego (Expected 2024)
- Licensed Emergency Medical Technician
- Certified Yoga Instructor (200-hour certification)

Dr. Christina Shih brings a unique global perspective and passionate commitment to pediatric dental care. A graduate of the prestigious University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Dentistry, Dr. Shih chose pediatric dentistry with a clear mission: to combat childhood tooth decay through prevention and education.

Her journey in dentistry is deeply rooted in her public health background, where she discovered that tooth decay is the most common childhood disease in the United States – and entirely preventable. This revelation sparked her dedication to pediatric dental care, where she could make a lasting impact on children's oral health through early intervention and education.

Dr. Shih's approach to patient care is built on creating positive, comfortable experiences for children while empowering them to take ownership of their dental health. She believes in explaining dental concepts in age-appropriate ways, making each visit both educational and enjoyable. Her patience and compassion have helped countless young patients overcome their dental anxiety, transforming fearful first visits into confident, routine care.

One of her most rewarding experiences involved helping a particularly anxious 10-year-old patient develop confidence and comfort in the dental chair. Through building trust and maintaining a gentle approach, she witnessed his transformation from a fearful patient to one who now jokes during his appointments – a testament to her philosophy that trust and compassion are essential elements of pediatric dental care.

Having lived in Taiwan, Thailand, and various parts of the United States during her childhood, Dr. Shih brings a multicultural sensitivity to her practice that helps her connect with families from diverse backgrounds. This unique upbringing, which included attending eight different schools from pre-K to high school, has shaped her adaptable and understanding approach to patient care.

When she's not creating healthy smiles, Dr. Shih can be found enjoying the outdoors – golfing in the summer months and snowboarding during the winter. She values quality time with family and friends and enjoys exploring San Diego's local brewery scene, particularly Pure Project Breweries, with her husband and their dog.

Dr. Shih is committed to providing comprehensive dental care that goes beyond treating immediate concerns to foster lifelong healthy dental habits. She looks forward to partnering with families in their journey toward optimal oral health and creating positive dental experiences that last a lifetime.

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!