Dr. Irving Chao was awarded high honors and received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery degree from the University of the Pacific’s School of Dentistry in San Francisco. He continued to receive postgraduate training at UCLA School of Dentistry in areas of cosmetic dentistry, root canal therapy, implant dentistry and Invisalign® orthodontics. Dr. Chao is committed to giving back to Salinas Valley. He provides free dental care to the Elm Drug Rehabilitation House and is the Director of the Monterey Bay Dental Health Committee, organizing classroom dental presentations throughout the county. Dr. Chao takes pride in his work and is very patient and gentle. In his spare time, Dr. Chao loves to ballroom dance and hike with his two dogs, Tasha and Louie.
Dr. Ngoc Bui received her Bachelor of Science degree from UC San Diego and Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA. To further advance her education and skills set, she went on to complete a hospital-based dentistry residency at the VA Medical Center in Palo Alto, CA. During residency, she had the opportunity to serve our veterans with personalized, gentle and the highest standard of care. Dr. Bui has always been passionate about giving back to her community. She dedicated much of her time serving both locally and abroad by managing a mobile free clinic in San Diego County and volunteering on humanitarian trips in Indonesia, Timor Leste, and Mexico. In her spare time, she enjoys catching up with friends over yummy foods, hiking new trails, and playing tennis.
Dr. Ashley Goldman received her Doctorate of Dental Medicine and Master’s in Medical Physiology from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Goldman prioritizes your comfort and is passionate about helping you overcome your dental anxiety. With an empathetic and patient approach, she strives to create an stress-free and positive dental experience so you can reach your oral health goals. Outside the office, Dr. Goldman loves to cook, hike, ski and do arts and crafts. She can’t wait to see you at your next visit!
Dentistry became a calling for Dr. Michelle during her senior year at Salinas High School when she embarked on a dental course at the local ROP. It was this experience that ignited her passion for dentistry. Driven by a commitment to her lifelong goal of becoming a dentist, Dr. Michelle worked as a registered Dental assistant for 10 years while concurrently attending school to become a dentist. Throughout her journey, Dr. Michelle's aspiration was clear – to return and serve the very community she grew up in. Her educational journey commenced at Monterey Peninsula College, where she earned her AA in Health Sciences. She pursued further studies at California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, earning her BS. This path eventually led her to the prestigious UCLA Dental School, where she refined her skills and gained a thorough comprehension of the latest dental practices. Beyond her professional endeavors, Dr. Michelle finds joy in creating lasting memories with her loved ones. In her leisure hours, she adopts an active lifestyle. You can find her enjoying a serene morning yoga session or an energetic cycling class. Dr. Michelle embodies both a skilled dentist and a compassionate individual dedicated to improving oral health and leaving a lasting positive impact on those she serves.
Dr. Aayushma Hamal is a dedicated dentist with a diverse background in international education and clinical experience. Born and raised in Nepal, Dr. Hamal developed a deep passion for dentistry early on. She earned her first dental degree from Tribhuvan University in 2019 before moving to the United States, where she gained hands-on experience working as a dental assistant. Determined to further her education and expand her expertise, Dr. Hamal pursued her second dental degree at the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, graduating with honors in 2024. With a strong foundation in global dental practices, Dr. Hamal is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care. She has participated in dental outreach programs in both Nepal and Guatemala, reinforcing her dedication to serving diverse communities. Outside of dentistry, Dr. Hamal enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. Dr. Hamal believes in compassionate dentistry, prioritizing patient comfort and trust.
Dr. Adilene Martinez earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California, after completing her Biology degree at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and her Associate’s degrees at Hartnell College. A proud Salinas native and longtime SVDC patient, Dr. Martinez discovered her passion for dentistry in high school through a dental ROP program and an internship at Clínica de Salud. A meaningful interaction with a Spanish-speaking patient inspired her to become a bilingual provider committed to creating an experience that is both educational and heart-centered, built on trust and compassion. Outside the office, she enjoys going to the gym, practicing pilates, reading, and exploring local coffee shops in search of the best matcha in town. She loves spending time with her cat, Juliet, and her Dalmatian, Pepper.
Dr. Makan was born and raised in Southern California. He matriculated at the University of California, Riverside where he majored in biology. He then went on to attend the prestigious Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco, CA, obtaining his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. Upon completing his dental degree, Dr. Makan interned in Nashville, Tennessee at the Oral Surgical Institute. After interning in Nashville, Dr. Makan went on to spend 4 years in Washington D.C., completing his residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS). He currently maintains his privileges at Stanford University. Dr. Makan is married to his beautiful wife, Rupa, who is completing a surgical fellowship in breast cancer surgery at Stanford University. They enjoy the outdoors, travelling and spending time with their friends and family.
Dr. Fardad Tayebaty received his bachelor’s degree in biology from University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). He went to Harvard School of Dental Medicine where he earned a Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) degree and graduated with Magna Cum Laude, High honors. After graduation Dr. Tayebaty practiced general dentistry in Boston before he moved to New York and attended New York University endodontics specialty program and obtained a Certificate in Endodontics. Dr. Tayebaty uses the latest technology in his field to treat his patients and to make endodontic procedures as painless and convenient for the patient as possible. Dr. Tayebaty enjoys playing soccer, hiking, and spending time with his wife and family.
"The workers are all extremely friendly and made sure the environment was as comfortable as possible. The facility itself is very clean, well-maintained, and modern! I was so impressed I reached out to family and friends recommending Salinas Valley Dental for their next appointment. Completely shifted my view on what a dentist appointment can be!"
