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Armand Begian, DDS
General Dentist
Columbia University, NY College of Dental Medicine
Ashkan Tirgari, DDS
Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Ashkan Tirgari attended Palos Verdes High School, graduating in 1992. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1998, and his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 2002. Dr. Tirgari then attended Boston University for his Pediatric Specialty, graduating in 2015. He is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and the Santa Barbara-Ventura County Dental Society. Dr. Tirgari does oral health presentations in both L.A. and Ventura County, and outreach work throughout Ventura County and Armenia.
Dr. Tirgari is married, and a proud father of his new born son. His hobbies include oil painting, jazz and classical music, and basketball, especially the Lakers.
Columbia University College of Dental Medicine
Patricia Nanda, DMD
Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Patricia McClory Nanda completed her dental training at Harvard University and received her Pediatric Specialty Certificate at UCLA as well as her Masters Degree in Public Health at UCLA. As a Board-Certified Specialist in children’s dentistry, Dr. Patricia Nanda takes pride in providing comprehensive oral healthcare to children of all needs at Sugarbug Dental.
Dr. Nanda lives in Mandalay Bay and loves being an active member of the surrounding communities. She participates in local volunteer events in Ventura County and values the relationships with children, parents, and other healthcare professionals that her career provides. Dr. Nanda loves spending time with her husband, Vikrum, an orthodontic specialist, and their two sons, Neil and Sean. She loves life as a mother and enjoys running, biking, and yoga at the Oxnard Beach Park and Channel Islands Harbor.
She is currently on the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Council of Continuing Education, a select committee that designs accredited programs for the country’s pediatric dentists to keep their knowledge and skills up to date within the field. She has contributed to pediatric and public health research and has published articles related to improving children’s oral health through prevention and outreach.
Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry
Negar Sadeghein, DDS
Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Negar Sadeghein was raised in sunny Southern California. She attended the University of California Irvine and graduated with a B.S in Biology with high honors. Inspired by a family of dentists, Dr. Sadeghein attended University of Southern California for her DDS and graduated in 2014. Dr. Sadeghein was elected into the dental honor society Omicron Kappa Upsilon, an honor given to only 10% of her graduating class. Dr. Sadeghein developed a passion for pediatric dentistry while doing outreach in underserved areas around the U.S and in foreign countries such as Nepal and Kenya. She completed her pediatric dental residency at New York University College of Dentistry. Dr. Sadeghein is one of a few board-certified specialists in pediatric dentistry. She is an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and the California Dental Association.
When asked what her favorite part of being a pediatric dentist is, Dr. Sadeghein said “Being able to build long-term relationships with children and their families to help them have healthy smiles. I want to provide a playful, comforting and enjoyable environment so children are able to understand that going to the dentist can be fun.”
Outside of dentistry Dr. Sadeghein enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She loves traveling, reading, cooking and watching basketball (Go LAKERS). She recently married her husband who is also a dentist. Both Dr. Sadeghein and her husband hope to serve communities locally and internationally, sharing their dental skills with those in need.
Vikrum Nanda, DMD, MS
Orthodontist
Dr. Vikrum Nanda completed his dental training at Harvard University and received his Orthodontic Specialty Certificate and Masters in Oral Biology at UCLA. He is a Board-Certified Orthodontist and comes from a long line of orthodontists, including his grandfather, granduncle, mother and sister. With his family members as role models, he is continuously driven to provide his patients with the highest quality of care. He believes that a functional bite and beautiful smile can lead to a lifetime of improved confidence, self-esteem and oral health.
Dr. Nanda is a member of the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) and the California Dental Association (CDA). He believes in the importance of using the latest technology and evidence-based methods in his field and has published many research articles, including a study he developed on 3D imaging in orthodontics. His grandpa and granduncle were two of the first orthodontists in the USA to pioneer biomechanics in the orthodontic specialty. As such, Dr. Nanda excels in treating all ages gently and effectively with short treatment times. “We use Invisalign, braces, expanders, and/or other appliances to create smiles that will last.”
Dr. Nanda married his dental school sweetheart, Dr. Patricia, our pediatric dentist. After finishing their residency programs at UCLA in 2015, they moved to Oxnard and have enjoyed working together at Sugarbug ever since. They had their first baby in summer of 2017, second in autumn of 2019 and enjoy raising them near the beach on the Channel Islands Harbor.
Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics
Behzad Danesh, MS, DDS
University of Southern California (USC) School of Dentistry
Dr. Danesh graduated from the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry at USC in 2016 and has been practicing dentistry in this area since graduation. He did his undergraduate work at UCLA and earned his bachelor’s degree in biological sciences while studying pre-dental courses. He completed a Master of Science in global medicine at the Keck School of Medicine at USC. Dr. Danesh continues to learn on a daily basis and as a doctor, and it is his goal to stay current with the latest technologies and treatment procedures. He is a member of the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association, the Armenian Dental Association of California and the Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity.
Dr. Danesh offers a wide variety of treatments to adult and pediatric patients alike. Some of those treatments include surgical extractions, dental fillings, crowns, pulpectomies and pulpotomies, and aesthetic procedures. He is very passionate about his career and his patients. He is very friendly and loves to make patients smile. He also enjoys educating patients and addressing their concerns so that they will feel comfortable about their treatment plans. His goal as a dentist is to utilize his knowledge and skills in the dental field to not only alleviate patients’ oral conditions, but to promote overall health.
On the weekends, Dr. Danesh loves to spend time with his wife and family. He enjoys skiing, exercising, hiking and trying out new restaurants. He loves to watch tennis, soccer, and basketball, and is a fan of the LA Lakers.
Honey Balazadeh, DMD
Dr. Honey Balazadeh received her education at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and graduated in 2014, going on to complete a general practice residency at Meharry Medical College. She completed her undergraduate studies at California State University, Northridge. She has been practicing in the area for six years and is a member of the American Dental Association®. Her primary goal in dentistry is to teach and be involved in research.
In her free time, she enjoys swimming and exercising.
Erin Walker, DDS, MSD
After receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in neuroscience and kinesiology from the University of Southern California, Dr. Walker earned her DDS at the University of Michigan in 2018 and her orthodontic and Master of Science in Business degrees at the University of the Pacific in 2020. She has been practicing in our area ever since and participates in continuing education annually. She is a member of the American Dental Association®, the American Association of Orthodontists® and the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists. She is also a member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon, an honors society comprised of dental school graduates who represent the top 12% of their graduating classes.
Dr. Walker loves being an orthodontist, and for her, it is the best job ever. She always strives to provide the best possible care for her patients and give everyone the smile they have always dreamed of.
Dr. Walker and her fiancé were planning on getting married in 2020, but needed to postpone the wedding until August 2022. Her parents and brother live nearby and they all love spending time together. In her free time, she loves to play tennis and is learning to golf. She also works out and lifts weights.
Nasim Zarkesh, DDS
Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Nasim Zarkesh graduated from UCLA and has advanced training in Pediatric Dentistry from UNLV. Prior to focusing on dentistry, she was a bioengineering undergrad at UCLA. She’s a member of the ADA, AAPD, CDA and is Board Certified with the ABPD. She was always interested in working in the health field and fell in love with dentistry because it combined health with art. Dr. Nasim recently traveled to Macho Picchu and she found it absolutely breathtaking. When she’s not caring for her young patients or traveling, she’s taking care of her dog Harlow and two goldfish. She enjoys working at Sugarbug and appreciates the state-of-the-art spaces and advanced technology the office has to offer. We’re so glad she’s a part of the team!
Tina Bastar, DDS
Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Tina Bastar graduated magna cum laude from UCLA in 2019 and completed her residency in Pediatric Dentistry at USC and Long Beach Memorial Hospital. Prior, she completed her undergraduate at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran and her international background is a huge asset to our diverse care team. She’s also a member of the ADA, AAPD, CSPD, and CDA. Her love of science brought her to the healthcare profession where she found a deep purpose in caring for others, especially children. She’s committed to making their experience at the dentist a positive one. When she’s not in the office she enjoys playing chess and coming up with ways to make home oral care fun! Her favorite trick is to have her patients play their favorite music while brushing and flossing.
Noam Greenbaum, DDS
Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Noam Greenbaum graduated from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in 2017 after his undergraduate studies at Yeshiva University. In addition to his regular studies, Dr. Greenbaum also completed a pediatric dental residency at Children’s Hospital of Michigan, completing that in 2019. Growing up, he loved his pediatric dentist, who made Dr. Greenbaum feel tough and comfortable during scary or difficult appointments, and he wanted to provide the same experience for kids. He practiced for three years in Detroit, Michigan, before joining our team. Dr. Greenbaum is a member of the ADA and AAPD, and he is a diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
In his free time, Dr. Greenbaum enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter and dog.
Justine Turla, DDS
General Dentist
After completing her undergraduate studies at the University of California in Santa Barbara, Dr. Justine Turla graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, in 2015. She has been working as a dentist in Oxnard, California, and the surrounding area since early 2022, after moving from Texas.
Dr. Turla is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry and sees herself as a general dentist who loves working with kids. She loves dentistry so much she married a dentist, and they have two boys ages 4 and 2. A fun fact about Dr. Turla is that her favorite pizza is ham and mushroom.
She enjoys working at Sugarbug and appreciates all the awesome movies we play for our patients. Welcome to the team Dr. Turla! We’re so glad to have her here at Sugarbug!
Eileen Welch, DDS
Dr. Welch received her Bachelor of Science in Health Science from the University of Miami. She continued on with her studies at the University of California, San Francisco where she received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. She has additional training in Pediatric Dentistry from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Advanced Training in general dentistry (AEGD) from TANS Air Force Base. She strives to make brushing and flossing fun for kids by having different flavored toothpaste options available. Another way she makes visits easier is with the office’s new 3D scanner: no need for messy impressions! She prefers electric toothbrushes over regular toothbrushes any day, and even has a favorite tooth: the second primary molars, because they are a “mini” version of a child’s permanent molars.
Dr. Welch’s favorite movie is “The Sound of Music”, with the latest TV show she watched being “Outer Banks”. She loves chocolate (don’t tell her patients), pizza with honey and spicy pepperoni and ice cream with any peanut butter flavor. Her favorite board game is Connect 4, and the coolest place she has ever visited was Iceland, where she happened to be during the last volcanic eruption.
Bhumi Desai, DDS
Dr. Bhumi Desai is a leading dental professional with a decade’s experience in dentistry and advanced training from distinguished institutions. After earning her degree from the prestigious UCLA School of Dentistry, where she was also awarded the Dean’s Scholarship, her journey led her to additional post-graduate training at Yale New Haven Hospital and St. Barnabas Hospital in New York City. Her passion for providing top-quality patient care and commitment to continuing education is evident in the unique blend of cutting-edge dental treatments and compassionate care she provides.
Possessing a versatile experience spanning multiple metropolises, Dr. Desai has been engaged in enhancing smiles in Southern California for the past two years following an accomplished practice period in NYC and Chicago that totals seven years. Her contributions and professionalism have earned her acknowledgment as a board-certified pediatric dentist and memberships with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the California Dental Association (CDA), and the American Dental Association (ADA). On a personal note, Dr. Desai shares her life with her loving husband, Kumar, whom she met during her academic years at UCLA, and their 5-year-old miniature golden retriever, Harper, adding a warm touch to her determination and professional accomplishments.
Dr. Parnian Soleimani DDS, MS
Parnian Soleimani DDS, MS is a highly accomplished dental professional with an impressive educational background and a passion for improving smiles. Dr. Soleimani obtained her degree in Dental School from the esteemed University of Toronto, followed by a residency at the renowned University of Manitoba, both located in Canada.
With over a year of dedicated practice in the area, Dr. Soleimani has quickly made a name for herself as a trusted and skilled dentist. Her commitment to staying current with the latest advancements in dentistry is evident through her active involvement in the American Association of Orthodontics. As a Board Certified Orthodontist and a proud recipient of certification from the Royal College of Dentists of Canada, Dr. Soleimani continually strives for excellence in her field.
Beyond her professional achievements, Dr. Soleimani values the importance of family. Having left her home in Canada, she now resides in California in order to be closer to her beloved sister who lives in Los Angeles. This personal connection adds another layer of dedication to Dr. Soleimani’s commitment to providing exceptional dental care to her patients.zzz
Dr. Soleimani’s expertise, combined with her professional affiliations and her warm, compassionate demeanor, make her a highly sought-after orthodontist in the area. Patients seeking an experienced, caring dental professional can trust that they will be in capable hands with Dr. Parnian Soleimani DDS, MS.
Dr. Kareena Kevork, DDS
Dr. Kareen Kevork attended UC Berkeley for her undergraduate degree prior to earning her dental degree in oral biology and medicine at UCLA. She completed a residency at NYU Langone Brooklyn Hospital in Anesthesia, and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology. Dr. Kevork has practiced in the Oxnard, CA, area since 2022.
Dr. Kevork is dedicated to providing her patients with high-quality, gentle care. She states, “There are many patient populations that avoid the dentist due to fear or anxiety. I wanted to help those patients get the care they need. Young kiddos are not always able to sit in the dental chair for long periods of time to get the treatment they need. Being a dentist anesthesiologist, I can help these kiddos get their oral health in great shape.”
Dr. Jake, DMD
Dr. Jake received his doctorate in medical dentistry from Harvard University prior to completing his residency in orthodontics at UCLA. While at Harvard, he served as class president for four years, leading his class through their dental education. Before Harvard, Dr. Jake earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree, with honors, from UCSD. Throughout his time at UCSD, Harvard, and UCLA, Dr. Jake was a major contributor to the field of biological sciences, lecturing at both domestic and international universities and publishing nearly a dozen research manuscripts.
Prior to dental school, Dr. Jake was deeply involved in education, teaching at the Moorpark Unified School District. This experience allowed him to work closely with the next generation, setting them up for future success—a philosophy he continues to bring to his orthodontic practice.
Having grown up in Moorpark, the 805 area is truly his home. Dr. Jake chose to become an orthodontist here to directly contribute to the community he loves. Providing his neighbors and their children with excellent care, perfect smiles, and the confidence that comes with them has been the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.