Our Team

Professional Development

Professional development continues to be a high priority for Dr. Yap even after his residency. His post-doctoral training includes modern root canal therapy, placement and restoration of conventional and mini dental implants, Invisalign® , Six Month Smiles Clear Braces and Aligners, and Inman Aligner orthodontic treatment, cosmetic dentistry, and dental sleep medicine.

Dr. Yap completed the Comprehensive Esthetic Residency of the Esthetic Professionals Dental Education Center in May of 2010. Dr. Yap received his Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry in July of 2011. Less than 7% of practicing dentists have this designation, as Dr. Yap has completed over 500 certified continuing education hours and passed a rigorous written exam. After completing an additional 600 certified continuing education hours in all disciplines of dentistry, Dr. Yap earned his Mastership in the Academy of General Dentistry in July of 2019. Only less than 2% of dentists have achieved this.

Dr. Yap is a part of many local dental study clubs, including the North Orange County Spear Study Club. Dr. Yap is dedicated to providing residents of Buena Park and the surrounding cities of La Palma, Fullerton, Cypress, Stanton, Anaheim, Garden Grove, Brea, La Mirada, and La Habra with a comprehensive and advanced approach to your oral health.

Commitment

Dr. Yap is honored to continue the practice’s former 45-year owner Dr. Vander Heide’s commitment to delivering high quality dentistry in a compassionate and caring manner to the residents of Buena Park, CA. He strives for integrity, excellence, honesty, diligence, humility, and kindness in his professional and personal life.

Dr. Yap is a proud member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, Orange County Dental Society, and the Academy of General Dentistry.

Free Time

In his free time, Dr. Yap enjoys watching movies and basketball, taking digital photographs around Buena Park, serving in the local church, and traveling to foreign countries to perform free dental services to the underserved. His most recent trip was a one-week trip to the Guatemala with a group of dentists and dental students in March of 2019. Dr. Yap also volunteers locally at free dental clinics to provide care for those that have limited access to care. He volunteered at the CDA Cares Pomona Event in November 2014 and Anaheim in April 2018.

Family

Dr. Yap and his wife, Shirley, have two daughters, Hannah and Abigail, and one son, Anderson.

Esther L. Chen joined our cosmetic and family practice in July 2012 after working in a private general dental office in Virginia, following her residency training at Bronx Lebanon Hospital and graduation from New York University College of Dentistry in 2010. As a Southern California native and graduate of Cerritos High School and UCLA, it has always been her dream to move back and practice here.

Practice Philosophy

Dr. Chen shares Dr. Yap’s practice philosophy of providing excellent comprehensive dentistry in a friendly and efficient manner. Dr. Chen brings enthusiasm, poise, and a kind nature with her to our practice. She also has a passion for continuing education and is working towards her Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry.

Professional Development

Dr. Chen particularly enjoys pediatric dentistry, oral surgery, and endodontics. Dr. Chen is an active member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association, Orange County Dental Society, and the Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Chen currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Orange County Dental Society.

Free Time

Self-described as a world traveler and scrap-booking enthusiast, Dr. Chen has been on volunteer dental mission trips to Mexico, China, and Zimbabwe. Dr. Chen’s personality and style complements our friendly and warm dental team.

Family

Dr. Chen is married and enjoys spending time with her daughter when she’s not at the office.

Michelle earned her Associate of Science degree in Dental Hygiene from Cerritos College with highest honors in 2018. She is a member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) and California Dental Hygienists’ Association (CDHA).
 

Michelle enjoys going on road trips to new places, trying new restaurants, and loves relaxing while binge watching tv shows on her time off.

Jen graduated from the University of California Irvine with a Bachelors Degree in Biological Sciences and decided to pursue Dental Hygiene by receiving her Associate of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene from Cypress College. She is a member of the California Dental Hygienists’ Association. Jen grew up in Ventura County but fell in love with the atmosphere and culture of Orange County.
 

Jen is a Disney fanatic and an animal lover. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering in her community, traveling, playing her ukulele, hiking, and playing basketball. Jen fits well with our Yap Family Dental team because she is personable, caring, genuine, helpful, and always smiling.

Linda attended Bryman College in Anaheim, CA and has been an RDA at this office for over 25 yrs.
 

A few of Linda’s favorite things are Zumba, going out to dinner with family and friends, listening to live music, and dancing.

Seri attended United Cambodian Vocational School in Long Beach and has been an RDA for over 25 years. She has been an RDA at this office for over 15 years.
 

When Seri is away from the practice, she loves to hike, cook, and garden.

Shirley has been keeping our office running smoothly for many years as our Office Manager.
 

When she’s not in the office, Shirley spends time with her three young children, connecting with and supporting local charitable organizations.

Brenda graduated from Tracy High School in Cerritos, then graduated from Everest College with a Medical Assistant Certification. After working in the medical office, she decided that she liked working in the dental office better. She has been working at our office since April 2019.
 

Brenda speaks Spanish fluently and enjoys going to the beach, hiking, watching movies, baking, and spending time with her family which includes two boys and two girls.