Board Members
Board President, Lilia Larin, DDS
Lilia Larin, DDS, of Chula Vista, was appointed to the Dental Board of California by Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. on April 13, 2018, and reappointed by Governor Gavin Newsom on May 4, 2021, and December 30, 2025. Dr. Larin is a general dentist practicing in San Diego and has been in private practice since 1992. She is a past president of the National Hispanic Dental Association and the American Association of Women Dentists. She has also served as past president of the San Diego County Dental Society, the San Diego Academy of General Dentistry, and the San Diego Association of Women Dentists, and is the founder and past president of the Hispanic Dental Association San Diego Binational Chapter. Dr. Larin has served on the California Dental Association (CDA) House of Delegates, the CDA Political Action Committee Council, the CDA Government Affairs Council, and the American Dental Association Political Action Committee. In addition, she has served as a board member of MANA de San Diego, a nonprofit organization dedicated to Latina leadership and mentorship. She is a Fellow of the American College of Dentists and the International College of Dentists, a graduate of the Harvard Business School Club of San Diego Nonprofit Leadership Development Program, and a recipient of the national "Health Equity Heroes" Award from DentaQuest. Dr. Larin earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California. Prior to obtaining her dental license, she worked as a registered dental assistant. She has been married for over 40 years and has three children; two of her sons are also dentists. Dr. Larin also serves as Chair of the Dental Board of California Examination Committee and serves on the Dental Assisting Council. (Term expires January 1, 2029)
Board Vice President, Rosalinda Olague, Ph.D.(c), RDA
Rosalinda "Rose" Olague, RDA, of Rancho Cucamonga, was appointed to the Dental Board of California by Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. on April 13, 2018, and reappointed by Governor Gavin Newsom on June 1, 2021, and December 30, 2025. Ms. Olague has been a registered dental assistant (RDA) with Pacific Dental Services since 2008. She started her career with the company as a lead RDA at Monet Dental Group. In 2015, she was promoted to regional back-office manager for Southern California's South Inland Empire and San Diego regions. For her dedication and exceptional performance, Ms. Olague was awarded the company's 2017 eXtraordinary Performance Platinum Award. In April 2018, she joined the Pacific Dental Services national support team as Senior Specialist for Dental Assistant National Strategy and School Relations. In April 2022, she was promoted to Director, Dental Assistant Programs and School Relations. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from La Sierra University and a Master of Arts degree in Business Management from the University of Redlands. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in organizational leadership at La Sierra University. She is an active advisory board member for the Pacific Dental Services Foundation and serves as a mentor to the recipients of the Dr. Carolyn Ghazal Dental Assistant Scholarship. Ms. Olague also serves on the Dental Board of California Examination Committee and the Substance Use Awareness Committee. (Term expires January 1, 2029)
Board Secretary, John Dierking, J.D.
John Dierking, JD, of Azusa, was appointed to the Dental Board of California by the California Senate Rules Committee on June 11, 2025. Mr. Dierking is an attorney. From 2016 to 2025, he was a member of the California Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians. He previously served with the Volunteer in Service to Others (VISTO) Program within the County of Los Angeles Probation Department. He was appointed by the Speaker of the California Assembly to the California Council on Criminal Justice, where he served from 1997 to 2000. He has been active in numerous local and civic organizations, and he was a member of the Los Angeles City/County Native American Indian Commission. Most recently, he was a member of the General Services Administration Open Government Federal Advisory Commission, whose mission was to ensure a more transparent, responsive, and inclusive federal government by increasing public access to data; to better advance equity; to engage the public in the regulatory process; to make government records more accessible; and to improve the delivery of government services and benefits. Mr. Dierking earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Pitzer College and his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of La Verne, College of Law. Mr. Dierking also serves as Chair of the Dental Board of California Substance Use Awareness Committee. (Term expires January 1,
2029)
Steven Chan, DDS
Steven D. Chan, DDS, of Fremont, was initially appointed to the Dental Board of California by Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. on October 12, 2016, and was thereafter reappointed to the Board by Governor Gavin Newsom, on April 7, 2021, and December 30, 2025. After earning a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Georgetown University School of Dentistry in 1978, Dr. Chan completed residencies in hospital dentistry and pediatric dentistry. He has been in private practice limited to pediatric dentistry since 1981. Dr. Chan served as President of the California Dental Association, the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry, and the American College of Dentists, this nation's honor society for dentistry. He was a founder of the California Dental Association Foundation. He holds fellowships in the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, American College of Dentists, International College of Dentists, and Pierre Fauchard Academy, an international honorary dental service organization. He is a life member of the American Dental Association, three dental honor societies, and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. He was a member of a Leadership Institute at the Kellogg School of Management. Dr. Chan is on the medical staff at a regional hospital and serves on the governing board overseeing the off-campus subsidiary companies. Dr. Chan also serves on the Dental Board of California Anesthesia Committee. (Term expires January 1, 2029)
Kevin Cheng, J.D.
Kevin R. Cheng, JD, of San Marino, was appointed to the Dental Board of California by Governor Gavin Newsom on February 29, 2024. Mr. Cheng has been Director of Construction at the City of Hope since 2021 and was a Senior Manager there from 2017 to 2021. Mr. Cheng was a Construction Manager for Shapell Properties from 2016 to 2017. He was a Project Manager for Prestige Homes from 2013 to 2016. Mr. Cheng earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of California, Riverside. Mr. Cheng also serves on the Dental Board of California Enforcement Committee. (Term expires January 1, 2026)
Alan L. Felsenfeld, M.A., DDS
Alan L. Felsenfeld, MA, DDS, of Marina del Rey, was appointed to the Dental Board of California by Governor Gavin Newsom on February 6, 2020, and reappointed on February 6, 2023. Dr. Felsenfeld is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon who has been in practice since 1977. He was a professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry from 1995 to 2020. Dr. Felsenfeld is a member of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, American and International College of Dentists, American Dental Association, American Dental Society of Anesthesiology, American Institute of Parliamentarians, California Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, California Dental Association, Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Dental Honor Society, Southern California Academy of Oral Pathology, Western Los Angeles Dental Society, and Western Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yeshiva University in New York, a Master of Arts degree in Hospital and Health Administration from the University of Iowa, a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry, and a certificate in oral and maxillofacial surgery from Cook County Hospital. Dr. Felsenfeld also serves as Chair of the Dental Board of California Anesthesia Committee. (Term Expires: January 1, 2027)
Robert P. David
Robert P. David, of Sacramento, was appointed to the Dental Board of California by Governor Gavin Newsom on February 29, 2024. Mr. David has been a self-employed Health Care Consultant since 2020. He was Director of the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development from 2012 to 2020 and previously worked in executive positions for the American Hospital Association and Hospital Council of Northern and Central California. Mr. David earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley and later completed the Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at Harvard University. Previous Department of Consumer Affairs board appointed experience includes the Osteopathic Medical Board and the Commission on Emergency Medical Services. Mr. David also serves as Chair of the Dental Board of California Legislative and Regulatory Committee. (Term expires January 1, 2028)
Joni Forge, DDS
Joni Forge, DDS, of Long Beach, was appointed to the Dental Board of California by Governor Gavin Newsom on July 29, 2022, and December 30, 2025. A general dentist with over 35 years of clinical experience in the Los Angeles area, Dr. Forge also serves as an adjunct clinical professor at the University of Southern California, teaching in the Dr. Roseann Mulligan Special Patients Clinic. An accomplished educator and author, Dr. Forge wrote the dental children's book, Andie's Amazing Discovery. She earned her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Irvine and her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Forge is a Fellow of both the American College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Her leadership history includes serving on the California Dental Association House of Delegates and as the Chair of Community Relations for the Los Angeles Dental Society. She remains an active member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, Los Angles Dental Society, and the National Dental Association. Dr. Forge also serves on the Dental Board of California Communications and Editorial Committee. (Term expires January 1, 2029)
Jaskiran K. Grewal, DDS
Jaskiran K. Grewal, DDS, of Modesto, was appointed to the Dental Board of California by Governor Gavin Newsom on August 8, 2025. Dr. Grewal earned her Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree from Baba Farid University of Health Sciences in India in 2002 and her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Dentistry in 2005. She is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Preventative & Restorative Dental Sciences at UCSF, where she mentors students and provides implant-based rehabilitation through the Faculty Group Practice. She has been a Managing Dentist of Smile Shine Family Dental since 2006, operating multiple practices in rural communities in Stanislaus County, including Patterson, Riverbank, and Ceres. Her clinical expertise includes general dentistry, orthodontics, implants, oral surgery, endodontics, cosmetic dentistry, and comprehensive treatment planning. Dr. Grewal completed fellowships at the California Implant Institute and Engel Institute for Implant Dentistry and holds advanced certifications in orthodontics and prosthetics. Licensed to practice in California since 2005, Dr. Grewal is a member of the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association (CDA), and the Stanislaus Dental Society. She has actively participated in the CDA Cares program since 2006, and is deeply committed to community service, providing dental care for homeless populations and distributing dental hygiene kits to children. She was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation from the California Department of Rehabilitation in recognition for her contributions. Dr. Grewal also serves on the Dental Board of California Legislative and Regulatory Committee. (Term Expires: January 1, 2028)
Angelita Medina, MHS
Angelita (Angie) Medina, MHS, of Whittier, was appointed to the Dental Board of California by California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon on January 4, 2021, and reappointed by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas on November 11, 2025. Before retiring from Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, after 33 years of service, Ms. Medina held the position of Director of Children's Health Outreach Initiative, Associate Director of the OB Overflow Program, Chief of Admissions and Financial Services at Los Angeles General Medical Center, and Assistant Director of Los Angeles County's HMO Program. Since her retirement, she continues to advocate for healthcare access for all. She also continues to volunteer with various community nonprofits and is currently an appointee to the Los Angeles County Library Commission. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Redlands and her Master's degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Southern California. Ms. Medina also serves on the Dental Board of California Access to Care Committee. (Term Expires: January 1,
2029)
Yogita Thakur, M.S., DDS
Yogita Butani Thakur, MS, DDS, of Foster City, was appointed to the Dental Board of California by Governor Gavin Newsom on August 18, 2022, and reappointed on February 6, 2023. Dr. Thakur is a board-certified pediatric dentist, serves as the Chief Dental Officer at Ravenswood Family Health Network, and holds hospital privileges at Stanford Children's Hospital. She earned her Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree from VYWS Dental College and Hospital. She earned a Master of Science degree in Dental Public Health at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and a certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from UCSF School of Dentistry. Dr. Thakur is a member of the California Dental Association, American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, and California Society of Pediatric Dentistry. She has held several leadership positions advocating for oral health access. She has served on the Board of San Mateo Head Start and as chair of the California Primary Care Association Dental Directors Peer Network. She is currently a board member of the National Network for Oral Health Access. Dr. Thakur also serves as Chair of the Dental Board of California Access to Care Committee. (Term expires January 1,
2027)
Ram M. Vaderhobli, M.S., DDS
Ram M. Vaderhobli, MS, DDS, was appointed to the Dental Board of California by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 17, 2025, as the Governor-appointed Educator Representative. He is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Preventive and Restorative Dental Sciences at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Dentistry, where he has served on the faculty since 2007. He is the Director of the Advanced Education in General Dentistry Postgraduate Residency Program at UCSF and Regional Director for Northern California with NYU Langone Medical Center. An accomplished clinician-educator and researcher, Dr. Vaderhobli's expertise includes evidence-based restorative dentistry, adhesive dentistry, biomaterials, CAD/CAM technologies, and artificial intelligence applications in clinical dentistry. He lectures nationally and internationally and provides continuing education courses focused on the clinical application of contemporary dental materials and digital crown restoration workflows. He also serves as a clinical materials evaluator for multiple dental manufacturers. Dr. Vaderhobli earned his Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree from R.V. Dental College in Bangalore, India, and his Master of Science in Biomaterials from Alfred University in New York. He completed research fellowships at the ADA Paffenbarger Research Center and advanced clinical training at the University of Rochester Eastman Dental Center. His honors include the 2026 ADEA Excellence in Teaching Award, the California Dental Association Foundation's Dr. Arthur A. Dugoni Faculty Award, the American College of Dentists Distinguished Faculty Award, and induction into the Academy of Medical Educators. He is a Fellow of the Pierre Fauchard Academy, the American College of Dentists, and the International College of Dentists. Dr. Vaderhobli maintains an active faculty practice at UCSF and has mentored predoctoral and postgraduate general dentistry learners for nearly two decades. Dr. Vaderhobli also serves as Chair of the Dental Board of California Enforcement Committee. (Term expires January 1,
2026)
James Yu, M.S., DDS
James Yu, MS, DDS, of Fremont, was appointed to the Dental Board of California by Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. on April 13, 2018, and reappointed by Governor Gavin Newsom on July 24, 2022, and December 5, 2024. Dr. Yu has been a dentist at James K. Yu DDS since 1984, where he has been an acupuncturist since 2008. He has been a radio talk show host at AM 1450 since 2000, and radio talk show president and owner at the Chinese Today Radio Station since 2015. He is Bay Area leader of Medical Services International and President of the Northern California Chinese Media Association, as well as a member of the American Dental Association, California Acupuncture Association, San Francisco Dental Society, Application of Acupuncture in Dental Practices, American Association of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture, and American Society of Chinese Medicine. He is President of the San Francisco Chinatown Salvation Army Advisory Board. He earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry and a Master of Science degree in Acupuncture from the University of East-West Medicine. Dr. Yu also serves as Chair of the Dental Board of California Communications and Editorial Committee. (Term expires January 1, 2028)