Dr. Kouichi Itoh came to the United States to become a dentist in 1980, started a dental practice in 1988, and obtained DDS in 1991. (Faculty of Dentistry, Loma Linda University, California) Completed the graduate school implant course in 1994 and became the first Japanese implantologist in the United States.
After working as an assistant professor at the same university, he is currently in business in LA. He was an invited lecturer as a special lecturer of the Japanese Society of Oral Implantology and lectured at many academic societies as the Brazilian Implant Society.
He is a special member of the American Society of Implantology (AAID) and an educational CD-ROM producer for the Society (as a primary content provider).As an instructor of a Japanese dentist's implant workshop, he manages a training schedule three times a year.
He is serializing a column article on "LA Dental Frontline" in the medical and insurance section of the local newspaper "Rafu Shimpo" in Los Angeles.
In 2001, Dr. Itoh opened his first practice, Honda Plaza Dental Clinic, in Little Tokyo, and in 2006 opened a second office, The Loft Dental Studio, in Costa Mesa, CA. Dr. Itoh belongs to a dental family. His father represents the 3rd generation of dentists from the Itoh family in Kobe (www.dental-itou.com), Japan.

Dr. Elaine Lu is a board-certified prosthodontist who specializes in complex dental restorations and full mouth reconstruction. Furthermore, she specializes in diagnosis, treatment planning rehabilitation, and maintenance of oral health, function, and esthetics of patients with missing or deficient teeth and the associated missing/deficient oral and maxillofacial tissues. Having done additional training beyond general dentistry, she is also well adept at serving patients with general dentistry needs as well.
Currently, she works in private practice providing a high standard of care, treating patients with compassion, and restoring her patients to optimum oral health, esthetics, and function. As a board-certified prosthodontist, she also assists current residents with Mock Boards at WLA VA Hospital who are aiming to become board-certified themselves. She also lectures for the World Academy of Dental Education.
Dr. Lu is a graduate of the University of California of Los Angeles. An avid learner, she had interest in the head and neck region since her undergraduate study days, earning her a BS in Neuroscience. She worked and is published as a researcher in Dr. David Glanzman’s lab that specializes in the neurobiology of synaptic plasticity and learning and memory. She graduated on the Dean’s Honors List in the College of Letters and Science.
Following this trend of high academic achievement, after finishing her undergraduate studies, Dr. Lu was accepted into and attended the University of California of Los Angeles - School of Dentistry and graduated in 2016. It was during this time she discovered a passion for prosthodontics; as a result, she was given the American College of Prosthodontists Award in recognition for outstanding undergraduate achievement in the study of prosthodontics.

This led her to pursue a prosthodontic residency at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System where she graduated as chief resident with a Certificate in Prosthodontics. In the VA healthcare system, she gained a lot of experience in treating a great variety of dental cases and provided a great service to the Veterans, many of whom encompass the most complex of medical and dental patients.

As a Prosthodontist, Dr. Lu’s main passion in dentistry is to reconstruct the oral health of patients who have endured hardships associated with failing restorations and deteriorating dentition.

She is also starkly aware of the lack of education surrounding many conditions that lead patients to this point of oral health decline. So although she has the skills to bring patients back from severe oral disrepair, she wishes to save as many teeth as possible in order to help patients not reach as severe a point of dysfunction orally through preventative measures, treatments, and education.

Dr. Yuliya Filipenka graduated in 2010 from Belarusian State Medical University where
she started her career as a dentist. In 2023, Dr. Filipenka completed a 2 year
International Dentist Program and became a License Dentist in California. Now as a
practicing dentist, Dr. Filipenka continues to stay updated on the latest advancements
in the field to ensure that her patients receive the most advanced and effective
treatment available.
Dr. Filipenka is a general dentist with a passion for orthodontics. With a comprehensive
understanding of the dental specialties, Dr. Filipenka offers a unique blend of
orthodontics, restorative and prosthodontic treatment to help patients achieve their
optimal oral health and a beautiful healthy smile. Dr. Filipenka is a dedicated and
compassionate dentist who goes above and beyond to provide gentle and caring dental
treatment for all of her patients.
Dr. Filipenka’s dedication to her profession and her commitment to her family are a true
testament to her strength, resilience, and unwavering love for her children. She is not
only skilled and caring dentist but also devoted mother of 4 kids who leads by example
and inspires her children to be the best version of themselves.