Founder & President, CAVAD, Inc.
Dr. Jenny Le is a Prosthodontist and Maxillofacial Prosthetics specialist serving the North Orange County community. She earned her dental degree from the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC and completed advanced specialty training in Prosthodontics at UCSF and Maxillofacial Prosthetics at UCLA. She is the owner of OC Prosthodontics in Westminster and teaches at UCLA in Advanced Prosthodontics and Maxillofacial Prosthetics.
Before dentistry, Dr. Le, competing in Vietnam as Lê Thị Kim Hương, was a two-time Vietnamese national Taekwondo champion and represented Vietnam at the 16th SEA Games, earning a silver medal in Taekwondo. After moving to the United States, she taught Taekwondo in the Vietnamese community and earned a fourth-degree black belt.The discipline, perseverance, and dedication to teaching developed through martial arts continue to influence her approach to dentistry, education, and community leadership.
As President of CAVAD, Dr. Le is committed to advancing education, mentorship, community service, and support for the next generation of dental professionals.
Founding Board Member - Treasurer.
Dr. Pauline Tran is a respected clinician, educator, and mentor with extensive experience in community dentistry and organizational leadership. A 1996 graduate of the USC Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry, she served for 18 years as Chief Dental Officer at a community health clinic, where she oversaw clinical operations, helped expand dental services, and guided teams serving underserved communities.
Dr. Tran has also served as an Adjunct Professor in USC’s pediatric dentistry program and participated in AEGD postgraduate training with NYU Langone–affiliated programs, mentoring new dentists in their clinical and professional development.
Her many years of administrative and leadership experience, combined with her professionalism, attention to detail, and commitment to responsible stewardship, make her well suited to serve as Treasurer of CAVAD. She is dedicated to supporting CAVAD’s mission and helping ensure the organization’s continued growth and financial accountability.
Secretary.
Dr. ThanhNga Thi Truong earned her dental degree from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Saigon, Vietnam, in 1995 and later received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of the University of Southern California in 2014.
With over 30 years of experience in healthcare and dentistry, Dr. Truong has provided comprehensive dental care to both children and adults. She is known for her compassionate approach, professionalism, attention to detail, and dedication to patient care.
As Secretary of CAVAD, Dr. Truong supports the organization through accurate record-keeping, effective communication, and coordination with the leadership team. She is committed to supporting CAVAD’s mission of advancing dental education, mentorship, professional development, and community service.
Board Advisor.
Dr. David Pham earned his master’s degree in Orthodontics from the University of Tennessee and his D.D.S. from Baylor College of Dentistry, after completing his bachelor’s degree at Southern Methodist University. Before entering dentistry, he worked in biomedical research and development.
Dr. Pham currently serves as the chief orthodontist for the Indian Health Service with the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians in Northern California, where he also provides State Board–approved Orthodontic Assistant Permit (OAP) training.
He is an active member of the American Association of Orthodontists, ADA, CDA, OCSD, and the CAVAD. As a past CAVAD President and current Board Advisor, Dr. Pham contributes strategic guidance, leadership mentorship, and support for advancing CAVAD’s long‑term educational initiatives.
Outside of dentistry, Dr. Pham enjoys the outdoors in Northern California, especially hunting and fishing. He also serves as a Ferrari Concours Judge, traveling throughout the country for various car shows.
Student Engagement & Mentorship Director
Dr. Anthony Nguyen is a cosmetic and implant dentist and Clinical Director/owner of a multi‑specialty practice in Redondo Beach, CA, focused on minimally invasive care and advanced digital dentistry.
He completed a General Practice Residency at UCLA, teaches at the UCLA School of Dentistry, advises the Vietnamese Dental Student Association (VDSA), lectures on clinical dentistry and practice ownership, and consults new dentists on clinical systems and practice growth. Dr. Nguyen brings leadership experience and community focused mentorship to support and empower younger CAVAD dentist.
Student Engagement & Mentorship Director
Dr. Naomi Nguyen is a board-certified periodontist practicing in Orange County. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the UCLA School of Dentistry and completed specialty training in Periodontics and a Master of Science in Oral Biology at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She became a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology in 2011.
Since 2012, Dr. Nguyen has served as a part-time faculty member at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC, where she is the D2 Periodontics Module Course Director and faculty advisor to the Vietnamese Dental Student Association. Through CAVAD, she is dedicated to mentoring dental students and young dentists, fostering professional growth, leadership, and meaningful connections within the dental community.
Continuing Education Director
Dr. Khang Le earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Colorado School of Dentistry in 1991. Driven by a commitment to service, he was commissioned as a dental officer in the United States Navy in 1994, where he proudly served for 10 years. In 2002, he completed the Advanced Clinical Program in General Dentistry at Naval Dental Center Southwest in San Diego.
After more than a decade of practicing general dentistry, Dr. Le pursued his passion for endodontics and completed his specialty training in endodontics at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC in 2008.
Outside of dentistry, Dr. Le enjoys playing guitar, hiking, traveling with his family, and volunteering at free dental clinics and community health fairs.
As CAVAD Continuing Education Director, Dr. Le is committed to helping develop meaningful educational programs that enable dentists to expand their knowledge, strengthen their clinical skills, and stay current with advances in dentistry.
Special Events Committee Director
Dr. Thanh My Phan is a graduate of the USC School of Dentistry and a practicing dentist in Garden Grove, California. She enjoys connecting with colleagues and participating in activities that bring the dental and Vietnamese-American communities together.
Outside of dentistry, Dr. Phan enjoys reading, singing, traveling, socializing, and participating in community activities. She stays connected to Vietnamese culture by volunteering as an áo dài model for a well-known local Vietnamese áo dài designer.
As CAVAD’s Special Events Committee Director, Dr. Phan looks forward to helping create meaningful and enjoyable events that celebrate our heritage, strengthen friendships, and bring our professional community together.
Public Relations & Communications Director
Dr. Francis McEldowney graduated from the University of California, Irvine in 1982 and earned his dental degree from UCSF in 1987. Early in his career, Dr. McEldowney served as a dentist with the UCI–Community Clinic of Orange County from 1988 to 1989. He also worked with the Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) HIV Dental Program from 1988 to 1999, providing dental care to patients in the community. He has been in private practice since 1988.
Dr. McEldowney enjoys connecting with people, volunteering, traveling, and staying active. As CAVAD’s Public Relations & Communications Director, he looks forward to promoting CAVAD’s mission, strengthening community relationships, and bringing people together. With his outgoing personality, he also enjoys serving as Master of Ceremonies for CAVAD dinners, galas, and special events.
UCLA Student Engagement Coordinator
TramAnh Dang is a student doctor in the UCLA School of Dentistry’s Class of 2027. She earned her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences from UC Irvine.
She currently serves as the president of the Vietnamese Dental Student Association (VDSA) at UCLA. Through VDSA, she organizes and participates in community health fairs that provide free dental screenings for Vietnamese communities in Westminster. As a student representative at CAVAD, Anh brings fresh energy and creative ideas to strengthen connections between Vietnamese dental students and professionals.
USC Student Engagement Coordinator
Vy Trieu is a student doctor at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC and a member of the Class of 2028. She earned her undergraduate degree in Health Science and Biology from Boston University.
She currently serves as Co-President of the Vietnamese Dental Student Association (VDSA) at USC. Through VDSA, she helps organize academic programs, continuing education opportunities, cultural events, and community outreach initiatives. As CAVAD’s student representative, Vy brings enthusiasm, leadership, and a commitment to strengthening connections between Vietnamese dental students and dental professionals while promoting service to the community.