Meet Our Dedicated Volunteers

• Adjunct Faculty and Volunteer Doctors not yet listed
• Volunteer Dental Labs

Dr. Disha Patel - Lead Adjunct Faculty
Disha Patel went to both undergrad and dental school at the University of Florida and got her dental license in 2005.  She worked in a private practice for 5 years before getting married and moving to Arizona.   Although she has always enjoyed working in private practice, she has always wanted a career in community and academic dentistry.  At CASS she is able to fulfill both wishes.  Dr. Patel provides dental care to the homeless as well as work with dental students as adjunct faculty.  Working alongside with Dr. Volcheck, she has helped create The CASS School of Dental Assisting and continues to work hard to provide for her community.
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Dr. Dana Scafaru - Adjunct Faculty
2003 Volunteer Dentist of the Year

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Dr. Krishnan Bala - Adjunct Faculty
2009 Volunteer Dentist of the Year

Dr. Kris Bala has been serving our homeless patients at CASS since 2004. He has many functions at CASS. First, Kris treats the homeless patients himself by taking care of CASS's most difficult oral surgery cases. As adjunct faculty at the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health, Dr. Bala teaches the 4th year students in Oral Surgery, as the students are working on the homeless patients. And, perhaps most importantly, he uses his stand-up comedian skills to provide comic relief and put the homeless patients at ease in the clinic.
Dr. Bala has been treating the underserved in our community for almost as long as he has been a dentist. Not only has Dr. Bala been serving our local community, Dr. Bala has been instrumental in providing dental services and coordinating volunteers at the Sri Sathya Sai Dental Clinic in Puttaparthi, India.
Click here for Dr Bala's Spirit of Sacrifice article
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Dr. Urvi Davé - Adjunct Faculty
Dr. Urvi Davé completed her dental internship and specialty residency in prosthodontics at Government Dental College in Ahmedabad, India.  She is a member of the American Dental Association, the Arizona Dental Association and the Central Arizona Dental Society.
Dr. Davé has practiced in Phoenix since 1989 and she volunteers at the CASS Dental Clinic weekly.  She credits her time at the clinic for enriching her professional and personal life.
"Volunteering at CASS has been one of the best experiences of my life.  I am a happier, more fun-loving person as a result of my time spent with the patients and the staff.  It has been a very rewarding experience."
Click here for Dr Dave's practice
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Dr. Clara Pineda - Adjunct Faculty

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Dr. Earl Weisbrod - Adjunct Faculty
2011 Volunteer Dentist of the Year

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Dr. Mounir Kharchaf - Adjunct Faculty
Dr. Kharchaf is a Maxillofacial Prosthodontist who is currently working as an Associate Professor and Associate Director of prosthodontics at the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health.
Dr. Kharchaf received his dental degree from Damascus University, Syria and from the College of Dentistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center. He then pursued advanced training in prosthodontics, implants and maxillofacial prosthodontics at the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In addition, he completed a dental research project as a resident, earning a Master of Dental Science degree.
Dr. Kharchaf is board certified by the American Board of Prosthodontics.  This national certification is determined by a vigorous examination process. Nationally, very few prosthodontists are board certified.  Dr. Kharchaf lectures extensively on the topics of prosthodontics, maxillofacial prosthodontics and implant dentistry, nationally as well as internationally. He is a Fellow of the American College of Prosthodontics.
Dr. Kharchaf practices comprehensive oral care with over 15 years of clinical experience. His clinical experience is devoted to esthetic dentistry, implantology, fixed and removable prosthodontics and maxillofacial prosthodontics.
Click here for Dr Kharchaf’s practice
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Dr. Joyce Bassett - Adjunct Faculty
2008 Volunteer Dentist of the Year
Dr. Bassett, AAACD, FAGD is an accredited member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and is a KOIS Mentor. She is an associate member of the American Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, an active member in the Academy of Fixed Prosthodontics, a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry. She is adjunct faculty at the Arizona Dental School where she teaches the Aesthetic Continuum. Her scientific articles have been published in PPAD, Inside Dentistry, Dental Economics, AGD Journal and Compendium.
Click here for Dr Bassett's practice
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Dr. Rob Mirabelli - Adjunct Faculty
Dr. Rob Mirabelli was born and raised in Scarsdale, New York. Growing up, Dr. Rob was a competitive swimmer, which he continued to enjoy into his college years. He received his collegiate education at Columbia University in New York City. Dr. Rob graduated cum laude with a B.A. in Biology. In addition to swimming, his extracurricular activities included tutoring elementary and middle school students, teaching swim lessons to youngsters and working as camp counselor.
After college, Dr. Rob attended Harvard School of Dental Medicine in Boston and graduated cum laude. While in dental school, he volunteered as a Big Brother and went on a medical mission to Peru. It was during dental school that Dr. Rob met his wonderful wife, Dr. Jennifer Mirabelli.
Upon graduation from dental school, Dr. Rob and Dr. Jen moved to Seattle to attend the University of Washington for additional dental specialty training. Dr. Rob completed a two-year Pediatric Dental Residency, working both at the university and at Seattle Children’s Hospital and Regional Medical Center. He graduated as a specialist in pediatric dentistry and received a Master of Science degree. Dr. Rob is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and is a staff member of Phoenix Children's Hospital.
Click here for Dr Mirabelli's practice
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Dr. Judy Huey - Adjunct Faculty
Dr. Judy Huey is a San Francisco native and graduate of the University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry.  She was a California State Board Examiner and San Francisco Peer Review member.  She moved out to Arizona in 2005 with her husband, 2 cats and parrot.
Dr. Huey has been in dentistry for over 24 years and has a private practice in Scottsdale.  She enjoys traveling, reading, cooking and shooting.





 

Click here for Dr Huey's practice
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Dr. Trevor Andrews - Adjunct Faculty

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Dr. Uyen Nguyen - Adjunct Faculty
Dr Nguyen received her BS in Microbiology at Oregon State University in 2003. 
She graduated from the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health in 2007 and joined Arizona’s Tooth Doctor for Kids – East Location in 2007.








Click here for Dr Nguyen's office
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Dr. Tannaz Malekzadeh - Adjunct Faculty
Dr. Malek graduated from University California at Irvine with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology and a Bachelors of Arts degree in French Literature. She attended dental school at University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine and graduated with a DMD. Following dental school, Dr. Malek completed a three-year residency in Periodontics at Connecticut, in which she received a certificate in Periodontics. She recently completed a Masters in Adult Education and is planning to pursue a Masters in Public Health.
Dr. Malek is a diplomat of the American Board of Periodontology.  She is also a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Periodontology, the Arizona Society of Periodontists, the Western Society of Periodontology, the Academy of Osseintegration, and the American Dental Education Association. 
Dr. Malek maintains a private practice in Glendale Arizona as well as an academic appointment at the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health as an assistant professor. She has lectured both locally and nationally. In her spare time she enjoys the outdoors and spending time with her family.
Click here for Dr Malek's practice
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Dr. Sameet Koppikar - Adjunct Faculty

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Dr. Douglas Kerr - Adjunct Faculty
Dr. Kerr is a certified pediatric dentist.  He graduated from Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine in 2000 and completed his pediatric dental residency at Howard University in 2003. 
Originally from Chicago, Dr. Kerr has practiced in the Phoenix area since 2004.  His outside interests include playing basketball and collecting comic books.
 

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Dr. Donald Thorne - Adjunct Faculty
Dr Donald Thorne was born and raised in Hinsdale, Illinois, where he practiced dentistry for 38 years.  Dr Thorne graduated Indiana University with honors in 1961.  He received his dental degree from Northwestern University Dental School in 1965.
After dental school Dr Thorne served as Lt Commander in the US Navy Dental Corps for two years active duty, and ten years inactive duty in the US Navy Reserve Dental Corps.
Dr Thorne completed 1000 hours of continuing education through a Fellowship with the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD) in 1979, and received a Mastership (MAGD) in 1995 for completing 2000 post-graduate hours of continuing education.
Dr Thorne was President and served on the dental staff of the Hinsdale Hospital for 30 years.  In 2005 Dr Thorne was honored by Chicago Consumer Report as the highest rated dentist in Chicago and five surrounding counties.
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Dr. Michael Prost - Adjunct Faculty

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Dr. Gretchen Henson - Former Volunteer and Lead Adjunct Faculty
2007 Volunteer Dentist of the Year
Dr. Gretchen Henson grew up in here in the Valley. She began her dental career as an assistant in a pediatric office at age 15, which explains her love for working with children. Dr. Henson is a graduate of the University of Arizona with a BS degree in Public Health. She graduated from the University of Colorado with her DDS, dental degree and post-doctoral training in pediatrics, rural health care and HIV and AIDS patients. Dr. Henson made the decision to return to school full-time after over a decade in private practice.  She is currently a Resident working towards a specialty degree in Pediatric Dentistry at Lutheran Medical Center in New York.  In addition to her training at the hospital and in the operating room, she is teaching dental students at New York University and attending lectures at Columbia University. While in private practice, Dr. Henson participated in numerous community events each year and was the Co-Director of the CASS Dental Clinic for the Homeless. She was also a regular volunteer for Head Start, Special Olympics and Give Kids a Smile Day.  Dr. Henson has also presented at the Annual National Healthcare for the Homeless Conference and served as Adjunct Faculty to the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health since its inception.

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Dr. Zachary Gilbertson - Volunteer Doctor
Dr. Gilbertson was born and raised in Independence, Missouri. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served four-and-a-half years as a supply airman for the F-15 fighter aircraft. During this time he completed his undergraduate work, taking the bulk of his classes at Boise State University and Weber State University. He completed his graduate work at Oregon Health and Science University, in Portland, Oregon, graduating in 2004 with his Doctorate of Medicinal Dentistry.
In 2005, Dr. Gilbertson moved to the Valley of the Sun, where he worked as an associate until expanding his schedule to full time at Gilbertson Family & Esthetic Dentistry in April 2009.  He regularly attends continuing education classes and is an alternate delegate to the Central Arizona Dental Society House of Representatives. He is a member of both the Arizona Dental Association and American Dental Association.
Outside of his practice, Dr. Gilbertson also works with the Army National Guard in several states many times throughout the year, providing exams and dental treatment to soldiers preparing to deploy.  In June 2010 he traveled to Nairobi, Kenya on a 10-day short-term dental mission.  For a different need altogether, Dr. Gilbertson becomes camp counselor each year at summer camp.  He has worked with a ministry that reaches out to the children of inmates and their families, and along with his wife Trisha, continues to be involved with an organization for abused and neglected children in the Arizona foster care system.
Click here for Dr Gilbertson's practice
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Dr. Pnina Levine - Volunteer Doctor
Dr. Levine, a 1982 graduate of the University of Michigan Dental School, has been in the same Phoenix practice since 1984. Dr. Levine is originally from New Jersey, where she attended and gained early admission to dental school.
A desire to provide her patients with the most current techniques and treatments drives Dr. Levine’s participation in continuing education courses. She is an active member of the American Dental Association, the Arizona Dental Association, and the Central Arizona Dental Association. She is also on staff at Paradise Valley Hospital.
Her belief in the importance of affordable treatment and patient education has led Dr. Levine to volunteer many hours of community service. Dr. Levine previously volunteered at the McDowell Dental Clinic where she won a public service award from the State of Arizona.  Every February Dr. Levine and her assistant Kelly provide free dental cleanings and sealants for school children from low-income families.
During the past 25 years more than 10,000 local elementary students have participated in Dr. Levine’s fun, inter-active dental health presentations in their schools. She loves kids, and they love wearing her tooth costumes as they learn about good dental health habits.
Click here for Dr Levine's practice
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Dr. Dana Perno - Volunteer Doctor
Dr. Dana Perno has been a practicing dentist for almost thirty years.  He moved to the Valley in 2003 and has a practice in Chandler, Arizona.  Prior to that Dr. Perno had a practice in the Washinton, D.C. area.
He enjoys being able to help others improve their dental health and self esteem by helping them have healthy, attractive smiles.  He feels especially fortunate to be able to help at the CASS Dental Clinic. 
In his free time Dr. Perno enjoys golf, fishing, reading, and exercising outdoors in the beautiful Arizona landscape.
Click here for Dr Perno's practice
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Dr. Amir Emam - Volunteer Doctor
Dr. Amir Emam received his undergraduate degree in Fine Arts from Washington State University.  He moved to Arizona after graduating from Northwestern University Dental School over 12 years ago.  Dr. Emam has practiced at his downtown office since 2001. 

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Adjunct Faculty and Volunteers Not Yet Listed

Adjunct Faculty
Dr Shari Aftahi
Dr Hai Trang
Dr Barbara Kent
Dr Neeta Arya

Volunteer Doctors
Dr Joseph Santoro
Dr Bob Ludwig
Dr Kevin Axx
Dr Thomas Chong
Dr Cedric Loud
Dr Keven Cook
Dr Ki Ngo
Dr Jodie Nadrajah
Dr Gopi Vasireddy
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Volunteer Dental Labs

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Dentist - Phoenix, Cass Dental Clinic for the Homeless , Phoenix AZ, 85007 (602) 256-6945

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