Providers

John F. Weston, D.D.S., F.A.A.C.D. - General Dentist

Dr. Weston, owner and director of Scripps Center for Dental Care, earned his dental degree in 1989, graduating as one of the top five in his class. While a commissioned officer in the US Navy, he completed a general practice residency at Balboa Naval Hospital San Diego, and served two years independent duty aboard a US Navy Warship in support of Desert Storm.

Dr. Weston is the only dentist in La Jolla and one of only 50 worldwide to earn the rigorous credential of "Accredited Fellow" through the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. As a strong advocate of continuing education, he regularly lectures, publishes articles, and teaches hands-on courses to other dentists on all aspects of cosmetic dentistry on a local and international level. He has also served two terms as a chairman of the Professional Education Committee for the AACD's annual Scientific Session.

Dr. Weston is a member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association, and the San Diego County Dental Society. In addition to being a fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, he also holds an elected position to the American Board of Cosmetic Dentistry, where he serves as fellowship and accreditation examiner. He has been practicing in the La Jolla area since 1989 with a focus in cosmetic smile design using non-metal restorations.

Dr. Weston and his wife Ginger reside in La Jolla. He is an avid sportsman who enjoys kite boarding, surfing, snowboarding, wakeboarding, boating, and scuba diving.

Robert L. Bosworth, D.D.S., M.S. - Prosthodontics

Dr. Bosworth specializes in comprehensive tooth replacement systems and works closely with all of our dental specialists to coordinate complex restorations and rehabilitations. He earned his Doctorate at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio. As a commissioned officer in the US Navy, he completed a general practice residency at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland. In 1999, he began his residency at the Navy Postgraduate School of Dentistry in Bethesda, Maryland. The rigorous three-year residency included all aspects of prosthodontic care, including complete and partial dentures, crowns, bridges, implant dentistry, and dental laboratory science. He completed his residency in 2002, earning a Master's degree in health sciences from George Washington University, D.C. and his certificate in prosthodontics. Dr. Bosworth served 12 years in the Navy including an independent sea tour on a US Navy warship, two years in Japan, and two years with the 1st Marines. Dr. Bosworth's last tour with the Navy was at the world's largest naval base in Norfolk, Virginia, where he served as head of the department, chairman of the implant board, and instructor for the advanced education in general dentistry residency.

Dr. Bosworth is a member of the American College of Prosthodontics, the Academy of Osseointegration (the leading dental implant organization worldwide), and the American Dental Association. He is also a graduate of the California Implant Institute in La Jolla, California.

Dr. Bosworth and his wife, Emily, have three young children. They enjoy sailing, hiking, biking, and the beautiful San Diego beaches.

Marlin E. Gher, D.D.S., M.ED. - Periodontist

Dr. Gher earned his D.D.S. from the University of Missouri at Kansas City Dental School and practiced as a general dentist for six years. He attended the Naval Dental School, Bethesda, Maryland for specialty training in periodontics. After completing his residency, Dr. Gher joined the staff of the Naval Dental School to teach. He then transferred to the Navel Dental Center, San Diego where he served as the head of the periodontics department and director of the Periodontal Fellowship Program for Navy dentists. Dr. Gher returned to the Naval Dental School where, from 1989 to 1993, he concurrently held positions as the chairman of the periodontics department and as the director of the residency program. During this time, Dr. Gher also served as the specialty advisor to the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery.

Dr. Gher holds board certification as a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology and as a diplomate of the American Board of Oral Medicine. Dr. Gher has written numerous articles and has lectured extensively both nationally and internationally on a wide variety of periodontal topics including dental implants, periodontal plastic surgery, periodontal restorative relationships, and advances in periodontal therapy. He is trained in and has taught the use of multiple dental implant systems including Branemark, ITI, and Life Core dental implants.

Dr. Gher and his wife Sharon have two children, Steven and Jaime. He enjoys sports with his family including skiing, fishing, hiking, and scuba diving. Dr. Gher is also an accomplished amateur photographer.

Charles C. Phillips III, DMD

Dr. Phillips received his Bachelor's degree from New England College, his Master's degree from the University of New Hampshire, and his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Tufts University. He is certified be the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. He is a career Naval Officer and retired after serving on active duty for twenty years. He served as chairman of dental departments at sea and ashore. While assigned to Naval hospitals, he served as regional oral surgery and maxillofacial surgery consultant in both the U.S. and Japan. He also served on the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency teaching staff at San Diego's Naval Hospital. He was the section chairman at Scripps Memorial Hospital for five years. Dr. Phillips has lectured extensively on dental implant surgery, maxillofacial trauma and TMJ therapy in both the U.S. and Japan. He received two Meritorious Service Medals for his work in infection control. He is fully trained to perform office general anesthesia and is a certified Advanced Cardiac Support Provider. He is also a certified Basic Life Support instructor.

Dr. Phillips has lived in Carmel Valley since 1987 with his wife Diane, who is a national cooking instructor and author of numerous cookbooks. She is a member of the International Association of Cooking Professionals and a James Beard award nominee. They have two grown children and donate their time to church and Del Mar Kiwanis Club activities. Dr. Phillips enjoys traveling and sports of all forms. He is an avid motorcyclist and enjoys cruising around on his Harley. 

 

Christopher M. Sechrist, D.D.S., M.S.

Dr. Sechrist received his D.D.S. from Loma Linda University and was a commissioned officer in the US Army, where he completed a post-doctoral internship in oral surgery and general dentistry. Following several years of general practice, Dr. Sechrist earned his certificate and Master's degree in endodontics. In addition to being part of our team of dentists in La Jolla, he is currently in endodontic private practice and serving as an assistant professor at Loma Linda University.

Dr. Sechrist's academic and professional career is distinguished by achievements during his Doctorate program, where he received awards from the American Academy of Orofacial Pain, American Academy of Periodontology, and the Southern California Academy of Endodontists. In addition, he earned a silver award for Academic Excellence and was recognized by Who's Who of American Colleges and Universities during his residency training program at Loma Linda University.

Dr Sechrist holds membership in the California Dental Association and American Dental Association and is an active member of the American Association of Endodontics, serving on the Evidence Based Endodontics committee, the Resident and New Practitioner committee, and the American Association of Endodontics Foundation committee. He has successfully passed the written component of the American Board of Endodontics Examination with plans for board certification in the near future.

Dr. Sechrist spends his free time with his wife and four children enjoying family outings, playing golf, and water-sports.

Nicholas C. Marongiu, D.D.S. - General Dentist "Dr Nick"

Dr. Nick graduated from the University of California, San Diego, with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Physiology and Neuroscience.  He earned his Doctorate from Loma Linda University School of Dentistry where he served as President of the Dental Student Association and Chair of the California Dental Association Student Delegation.  He graduated with Honors in Implant Dentistry and was recipient of several awards, most notably, Clinical Excellence Award, Student Excellence Award, Prosthodontic Scholar Award, and Excellence in Cosmetic Dentistry Award.

Following graduation, He completed a General Practice Residency at the West Los Angeles Wadsworth Veterans Association Hospital and post graduate training at University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dentistry.  During his residency he provided comprehensive dental care to Veterans and earned licensure for intravenous conscious sedation.

Dr. Nick is very involved with community service, loaning his expertise and training to Missions of Mercy, USNS Mercy, Flying Docs, Project Hope and several other organizations that provide dental care to underserved communities in North America, Central America, and Southeast Asia. 

Dr Nick is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Orange County Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Los Angeles Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, American Dental Association, California Dental Association, and San Diego County Dental Society.

He grew up in northern California and currently resides in San Diego.  Nick's active outdoor lifestyle includes hiking, camping, surfing, scuba diving, swimming, biking, and running.

Kyle S. Wendfeldt, D.D.S., M.S.

Dr. Kyle S. Wendfeldt earned his dental degree from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio in 1998. After graduation, he joined the US Air Force and completed an advanced education general dentistry residency at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, and then worked as a general dentist at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. After completing his orthodontic residency and Masters of Science in oral biology at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry, Kentucky, he treated hundreds of comprehensive and multi-disciplinary orthodontic cases at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. He recently sold his very successful Midwestern private orthodontic practice to be closer to family in San Diego.

Dr. Wendfeldt is a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics and an active member of the American Association of Orthodontics and the American Dental Association. He has published original research for the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics on the post-operative stability of upper jaw surgery and bone mineral density studies for the National Institute of Health.

Dr. Wendfeldt was raised in San Antonio, Texas. He and his wife, Christina, have seven children. They enjoy swimming, bible study, and children's Awana programs.

Ann F. Leath, R.D.H. - Dental Hygienist

Ann F. Leath is originally from New Orleans and has lived in California since the fifth grade. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in dental hygiene in 1969 from the Caruth School of Dental Hygiene at Baylor University in Dallas, Texas. She has been in full-time practice since then, primarily in La Jolla, California.

Ann is committed to excellence and is dedicated to focusing her full attention on the individual. She brings to us a solid and well-rounded foundation of hygiene expertise in general dentistry, having worked with patients between the ages of 3 and 96 for 30 years. Ann's number-one priority is to provide the highest quality care available in a patient centered, ethical practice. She enjoys attending continuing education meetings and is always looking for new techniques and ideas to motivate her patients and increase their dental awareness.

Ann is a well-rounded athlete. She is involved in the Master's triathlon program at UCSD, and feels quite honored to have competed in the Hawaii Ironman triathlon two times. She also competed for Team USA. When she is not swimming, biking, or running, she finds time for volunteering and gardening.

Penelope Mulligan, R.D.H.

Penelope attended the University of North Texas in 1992 and majored in biology. She completed her training in Dallas, Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry, earning a Bachelor's of Science degree in 1996. While attending Texas A&M, she traveled under school sponsorship to various rural areas of Mexico and Indian Reservations in Oklahoma to volunteer dental services. As a senior hygiene student, she also volunteered and worked extensively with HIV/AIDS patients at the Nelson-Tebedo Clinic in Dallas. Not surprising when you meet Penelope, she was also voted Social Chair Person of the class.

In 2007, with over ten years practicing as a dental hygienist, Penelope was hired by the prominent firm Johnson & Johnson, Pharmaceuticals/OraPharma. As a hygiene educator, she was responsible for giving presentations to corporate dental offices and universities about dental health and the chemotherapeutic antibiotic, Arestin. She has retained that position since her move to Southern California, where we are happy to have her as part of our team at Scripps Center for Dental Care.

Penelope is an avid continuing education attendee and enjoys looking for ways to improve the care she provides to the patients by using new and innovative products, techniques, and philosophies. She is an active member of the American Dental Hygiene Association, the San Diego County Dental Society, and the California Dental Association.

Penelope was born in Bangkok, Thailand and resided there for eight years before moving to Austin, Texas, where her family still lives. She has traveled extensively throughout Europe and is a fanatical sports fan. She is a certified aerobics and spinning instructor, has competed in volleyball and track, and has her open water scuba diving certification.

Loree Oberle-Edwards, R.D.H., M.S. - Dental Hygienist

Loree K. Oberle-Edwards received her Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene in 1975 and her Master of Science degree in oral biology in 1977 at the University of California, San Francisco. She received a Doctorate of Divinity in 2002. She has served in several professional organizations including the American Dental Hygienists' Association, International Society of Oral Oncology, and Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer. She has also served as a volunteer for the American Cancer Society since 1978. A teacher, as well as a student, Loree incorporates recent advances in oral care and uses leading technologies. She has authored and co-authored in several professional peer-reviewed publications and journals.

Loree has been an employee at Scripps Clinic since 1978, practicing in the department of oral medicine until its conversion to Scripps Center for Dental Care in 1988. Loree specializes in the oral care and management of patients with medical conditions including diabetes, heart problems, prostheses, blood disorders, and autoimmune disease; patients undergoing radiation and chemotherapy; and those with anxiety, or dental phobias. Loree focuses on total body care and supports patients in achieving optimal oral health as well as the ability to enjoy physical and emotional well being. Having extended training, Loree's "healing touch" is enjoyed by patients as well as staff.

A native of San Diego, Loree continues to live in this beautiful city with her husband, Cliff and cats, Shanti and Athena. She trained in Tang Soo Do Karate with her husband and holds a first-degree black belt in this traditional martial art. She also enjoys travel and reading.

Contact Our Dentists

Dr. John Weston, and his exemplary team of dental specialists, dental hygienists, and general and cosmetic dentists in La Jolla constantly strive to provide the most up-to-date procedures and technology while maintaining a focus on patient education and comfort. We encourage you to visit the smile gallery, which displays photos of some of the amazing results his team has accomplished for their patients. If you live in La Jolla or elsewhere in San Diego and would like to learn how the cosmetic dentists and specialists at Scripps Center for Dental Care can help you achieve the smile of your dreams, contact us today to schedule an informational consultation.

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Scripps Center for Dental Care

9850 Genesee Avenue,
Suite 620
La Jolla, Ca 92037

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Ph: (858) 366-4818
Fax: (858) 535-8309