Pediatric Dentistry Residents - Class of 2025
Shaylan Vanmali, D.D.S.
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Shaylan Vanmali, D.D.S
Shaylan Vanmali is a SoCal native born and raised in the San Fernando valley. After high school he attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where he developed a love for the environment and learning about sustainability which led him to pursue his BS in environmental studies. From young, Shaylan knew he wanted to pursue a profession in healthcare and continued to shadow and volunteer in various health care fields until he discovered dentistry through his sister who practices general dentistry. His interest in dentistry was piqued on 4 different volunteer missions to Mexico through the thousand smiles foundation which provided free dental care to pediatric residents of Ensenada Mexico. After completing undergraduate studies at UCSB Shaylan moved to New York City to begin dental school at Columbia university. His passion for working with the underserved pediatric populations in New York City pushed him to pursue various outreach positions in the Hispanic student dental association as well as a teaching position at Columbia University through a Pre-College Enrichment Program. After obtaining his DDS, Shaylan pursued additional training at a general Practice Residency Program at New York Presbyterian - Weill Cornell. He has now returned to his home city of Los Angeles and is excited to serve the city that he calls home. Outside of dentistry Shaylan enjoys working out, spending time with family and friends, outdoor activities, making TikTok videos, and traveling. |
Karolina Brzyska, D.D.S.
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Karolina Brzyska, D.D.S.
Dr. Karolina Brzyska was born in Poland and grew up in (arguably) one of the most diverse areas in the world: Astoria, New York! After graduating from LaGuardia High School as a Visual Arts major, Dr. Karolina studied both biology and psychology at the City University of New York: Hunter College. During this time, she shadowed in a variety of healthcare settings (i.e., in an ophthalmologist’s office, in an emergency room in a hospital, etc.) in pursuit of finding an exciting and fulfilling career. Over time, she realized that the dental profession offers the perfect blend of healthcare, interprofessional collaboration, and it may even serve as a creative outlet: the provider must be both strategic and innovative when addressing each patient’s particular needs! Dr. Karolina attended the UCSF School of Dentistry and was highly involved in a variety of clubs, research, and volunteer work; during this time, she learned to appreciate the power of mentorship, the joy of volunteering with children, and very much looked forward to the annual “Give Kids a Smile Day!” Dr. Karolina is grateful for the opportunity to learn from her new UCLA family as well as from her wonderful patients. Dr. Karolina strives to educate families on the importance of practicing optimal oral hygiene as well as the benefits of establishing a dental home to help maintain healthy smiles which come in all shapes and sizes |
Bernadita Manglona, D.D.S.
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Bernadita Manglona, D.D.S.
Dr. Bernadita Manglona was born and raised in the Mariana Islands. She ventured across the Pacific Ocean to study Public Health and Biology at the University of Washington in Seattle. After years of soul searching, she made the dive into the world of dentistry at the University of California San Francisco. During her time there, she was exposed to many communities across Northern California that experienced similar health inequities that her island community faces. After dental school, Dr. Bernie headed east to New York City to pursue general practice residency New York Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist. During her time as chief resident, she continued to serve the Brooklyn population through the pandemic when dental offices were closed. She continued to work in family practice in Brooklyn and Queens where her love for serving the pediatric population unfolded. She is thrilled to be a part of the Bruin community while serving the greater Los Angeles community. Dr. Bernie believes in creating a dental sanctuary for children to receive quality, comfortable, and compassionate care. She believes in empowering patients and their caregivers with a strong foundation for their oral health and overall well-being. Beyond her professional endeavors, she loves frequenting markets to experiment in the kitchen, indulging in pottery and jewelry making, and going on nature walks. |
Jade Christensen, D.D.S.
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Jade Christensen, D.D.S.
Jade Christensen is a born and bred Los Angeles native, hailing originally from Pasadena. She relocated not far from home to the West Side where she attended UCLA for all of her academic career. Jade's academic journey began at UCLA, where she pursued her passion for understanding the human mind and body. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychobiology. After earning her B.S. in Psychobiology, Jade continued her education at UCLA by enrolling in the School of Dentistry. During her time at UCLA, Jade has actively participated in community outreach programs like "Give Kids a Smile," where she volunteers her time and expertise to provide dental care to underserved children. Her time at UCLA not only provided her with a strong scientific foundation but also instilled in her the values of empathy and kindness that would later shape her career. She is currently pursuing an advanced degree in pediatric dentistry, also at UCLA. All of her experiences up to this point have reaffirmed her commitment to pediatric dentistry and her dedication to improving the oral health of young patients. Outside her academic and professional pursuits, Jade finds solace in spending her free time by the ocean. She is an avid paddle boarder and enjoys swimming in the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean. She also takes joy in teaching her friends how to swim, sharing her love for the water and promoting water safety. |
Payton Richardson, D.D.S.
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Payton Richardson, D.D.S.
Dr. Payton Richardson, originally from the south suburbs of Chicago, Illinois, has a strong background rooted in healthcare and community health awareness. She attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she interned at the Champaign Urbana Public Health District's dental clinic, primarily serving pediatric patients. This experience ignited her interest in pediatric dentistry. After obtaining her degree in Community Health at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Dr. Richardson relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, to pursue her DDS at Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry. Alongside her DDS, she earned a public health certificate from Meharry, further emphasizing her commitment to community well-being. Being a true water enthusiast, Dr. Richardson's affinity for swimming is part of her nature. She started swimming competitively at nine years old and loves taking a relaxing dip in the pool, snorkeling, and jumping over waves in the ocean. She enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, and watching movies in her free time. Dr. Richardson's career journey led her to specialize in pediatric dentistry, driven by a deep-seated passion for the well-being of young patients. Her commitment to improving pediatric oral health was underscored by her research and involvement in numerous professional and service organizations in dental school. Currently a passionate resident at UCLA, Dr. Richardson continues to positively impact the well-being of children and their families. |
Eunice Hahm, D.D.S.
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Eunice Hahm, D.D.S.
Dr. Eunice Hahm was born in Los Angeles and was raised in Lexington, Massachusetts. She completed her undergraduate education in Human Development at Cornell University. She then moved back to Boston to work as a clinical research coordinator at Massachusetts General Hospital as she prepared for dental school. After two years, she attended Tufts University School of Dentistry and received her D.M.D. in May 2023. Over the course of her education, she built her love for mentorship and volunteering that continued through dental school. This love led to her passion for children’s oral health and her pursuit of pediatric dentistry. Aside from the dental clinic, you can find her trying out new cuisines and restaurants, hiking trails, and hitting balls in the tennis court. She is incredibly excited and thankful to be a part of the UCLA Pediatric Dentistry family and looking forward to starting off her career as a pediatric dentist. |
Alexander Han, D.D.S.
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Alexander Han, D.D.S.
Dr. Alexander Han was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA. He graduated from University of California, Irvine with a degree in Biology and earned his DMD from Western University of Health Sciences. After dental school, he moved to rural New Mexico serving the underserved population for six years as a general dentist. During these years, he saw first-hand the lack of access to care in these rural populations and realized his passion for working with children. He also worked part time at a correctional facility, where he recognized that humans should treat everyone with the same level of respect no matter the background. He is excited to begin his career as a pediatric dentist and be a part of the Bruin family! In his free time, he enjoys golfing, checking out new restaurants, and hanging out with his family and friends. |