Dr. Thomas Young

National Dentist Day is March 6th – this year and every year!

It’s a great time to think not only about dental health, but about the people who’ve helped you do the important work of protecting your teeth and gums. Although we all perform dental hygiene every day, most of us can’t keep our teeth in peak health alone.

For most, the family dentist is our trusted partner in keeping teeth healthy.

At Landmark Dental Group, we strive to provide patients with a respectful, relaxing, and reliable atmosphere for all their dental needs. We know that when you have a dentist you truly trust, you’re much more likely to get the dental care you need – and the health results you want.

On this National Dentist Day, we’re proud to honor someone who’s been integral to that mission: Dr. Thomas Young, a long-time part of the Landmark Dental Group family.

Dr. Thomas Young Personifies What it Means to Be a Trusted Family Dentist

Dr. Young has been a part of the Landmark Dental Group story since the very beginning. In fact, he was already successful in his practice when Landmark launched. As an independent startup, the Landmark team moved into the office space of Dr. Young, sharing the same space but as two separate practices.

Over the years, Dr. Young has provided invaluable support and guidance to many members of the Landmark Dental Group team. In 2016, Landmark was proud to acquire Dr. Young’s practice and formally welcome him as an associate dentist who works with Dr. Weston and Dr. Tran. Dr. Young has enjoyed the chance to set management duties aside and focus exclusively on dentistry.

Dr. Young’s Accomplished History – Inside the Dental Office and Out

Dr. Young graduated from dental school at the University of Michigan and has practiced for more than 40 years – getting started in 1974. He loves connecting with his patients, building strong relationships with them, and helping them improve their quality of life through dentistry.

He remains very active in both the profession and his community, including advisory roles in a number of dental groups, including the Dientes Community Clinic here in Santa Cruz. He contributes to the Monterey Bay Dental Society, is a member of the Academy of Cosmetic and Adhesive Dentistry, and is a devoted supporter of CASA – the organization of Court Appointed Special Advocates for abused or neglected children.

Outside of the office, you can often find Dr. Young sailing and enjoying the magnificent Santa Cruz environment. He loves sharing his outdoor adventures with his extended family: He raised two daughters and has four fantastic grandchildren!

Dr. Thomas Young has been a huge part of making our practice what it is today. He now works at the office two days a week, but his presence is felt even when he is not around. From all of us at Landmark Dental Group, thank you, Dr. Young! We are honored to have you as a colleague and friend!

Professional Santa Cruz Dentists at Landmark Dental Group

Landmark Dental Group is a family Santa Cruz dentist that offers many professional services for patients. With the understanding that keeping your smile beautiful is part science and part art, Dr. Trang K Tran and Dr. Scott J Weston at Landmark Dental Group provide preventative, restorative and cosmetic services for your entire family. If you’re looking for a family dentist in Santa Cruz, check out what the professional doctors at Landmark can offer.

Dr. Trang K Tran’s Education and Awards

A graduate of University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry, Dr. Tran is an exceptional dentist. She proves this everyday by helping patients get beautiful, healthy smiles. Her prowess as a skilled dentist was proven early, and while still in school, she received letters of commendation from the faculty, and she even received honors in Patient Centered Care. Before coming to Santa Cruz, Dr. Tran worked as a private practitioner in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Like all doctors, Dr. Tran’s education did not end after she graduated. She continues her dental education by keeping up on new procedures to be able to better serve her patients. Particularly, Dr. Tran focuses her continuing education on esthetic dentistry and root canal therapy, which allows her to assist patients instead of sending them elsewhere for their needs.

Dr. Scott J Weston’s Education and Awards

Dr. Weston is the other Santa Cruz dentist at Landmark Dental Group, and like Dr. Tran, he attended the University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry. He proves his skills with every patient he sees at Landmark Dental Group. While attending school, Dr. Weston also received recognition for his achievements. He won the Francis A. Sooy Award for Outstanding Dental Professional, and he has earned other awards for his work in restorative dentistry.

Dr. Weston also spent time at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas School of Medicine, where he participated in a General Practice Residency. While there, he learned about IV sedation and dental implants. He also has experience with geriatric and medically compromised patients from his time at Southern Nevada Veterans Administration. He continues his education with courses focusing on cosmetic dentistry, sedation dentistry and oral and maxillofacial pathology.

Services Offered at Landmark Dental Group

Thanks to the extensive education and continuing education that Dr. Tran and Dr. Weston continue to undergo, Landmark Dental Group can offer a wide range of services that you might not find at other general dentist offices. In addition to offering preventative and minor restorative procedures, such as cleanings and scaling and root planing, Landmark Dental Group also offers extractions, root canal therapy and services for geriatrics and children.

However, because Dr. Tran and Dr. Weston continue to further their education in cosmetic dentistry, Landmark Dental Group can also offer cosmetic dental services, including tooth whitening, tooth-colored fillings, dental bridges, porcelain crowns, porcelain veneers, dentures and dental implants. Landmark can also offer patients sedation dentistry options, including inhalation sedation, oral sedation and IV conscious sedation are all available for anxious patients who are looking for a stress-free visit.

If you want a Santa Cruz dentist who can offer you and your family everything you need to keep your smiles healthy and happy, you should consider Landmark Dental Group. Their professional doctors have extensive education and training, and they continue to learn new skills. For more information, contact Landmark Dental Group today.

We are so grateful for the staff we have here at Landmark Dental Group – we definitely could not do our job without them! These wonderful women work extremely hard to help provide excellent care and experiences to our patients. Thank you for being a part of our team!

Dental Assistants: Leslie, Marichelle, Thelma, Kara, and Rebekah

Leslie: Born and raised in Santa Cruz, I have been in the dental field for about 3 years now. I started as an intern at Dientes Community Dental Clinic, where I met Dr. Tran. The Doctors hired me even before I finished my dental assisting program. I started out not knowing much about dental insurance, but with the help of the doctors, I am now very experienced in this subject, as well as assisting and other front desk duties. I have a two-year old daughter named Aubrie, and when I’m not working, we like to go to the beach, eat good food, and take on new adventures. I love my job as well as the people I work with. I feel lucky to be a part of this family.

Marichelle: Hello! I have been a dental assistant for 6 years now and feel very lucky to be a part of the Landmark Dental Group family! This is my third year living in Santa Cruz. 🙂 When I’m not in the office, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. My fiancé, Justin, and our 2-year old pup, Baxter, spend a lot of our time at the dog beach, hiking, and going on motorcycle rides along the coast.

Thelma: I am originally from the Philippines and my family and I immigrated to the Big Island of Hawaii, where I spent four years before moving to California in search of a better future and opportunities. I have been in the dental field since 1995. I love my job and my coworkers and our patients. I have been working with Dr. Young for 13 years and have been with Landmark for one year. When I have time outside of the office, I enjoy cooking and going to the beach with my husband and 14-year old son.

Kara: I am a native California girl, born in San Jose and have lived by the Monterey Bay for almost twenty years. I have been a dental assistant since 1993, practicing in both periodontal and general dental offices. When I am not working, you’ll find me doing yoga, traveling around the world, teaching meditation, or spending time with my two children on some new adventure.

Rebekah: I’ve been in the dental field for more than 13 years, with 6 of these as a registered dental assistant. When I’m not in the office, I enjoy riding my beach cruiser along West Cliff, hiking at Henry Cowell with my husband, and travelling the world! I love what I do and the great team at Landmark Dental Group!

photo credit: brunobarillari | DollarPhotoClub

If you live in the Santa Cruz area and are looking for a qualified, trustworthy dental provider for your entire family, look no further than Landmark Dental. Their wide list of services are sure to meet the needs of everyone in your family. Get to know a little more about Landmark Dental and the doctors.

Who Is Landmark Dental Group?

Landmark Dental Group is a full-service dental practice that provides preventative, restorative and cosmetic dental procedures for your entire family. We also offer specific services for children — such as first exams/cleanings and sealants, and services specifically designed to help seniors. Common treatments for all patients include cleanings, dental implants, tooth-colored fillings, crowns, dental bridges, tooth whitening, and root canal therapy. Landmark Dental is committed to offering comprehensive oral care that can meet everyone’s needs.

Our Doctors: Trang K Tran, DDS

Dr. Trang K Tran is one of the skilled dentists at Landmark. She began her education with a Bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and she went on to earn her Doctorate degree from the University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry. A strong believer in continuing education, Dr. Tran continues to pursue the knowledge, skills and techniques that will help her to assist her patients. For example, in an effort to prevent the need to send patients to a specialist for root canal therapy, Dr. Tran has taken courses herself to learn the technique.

She is a member of the American Dental Association, the California Dental Association, and the National Association for Professional Women. Dr. Tran strives to form lasting relationships with her patients so that they can work together to prevent and treat any dental issues that arise.

Our Doctors: Scott J Weston, DDS

The other exceptional dentist you’ll find at Landmark Dental Group is Dr. Scott J Weston. Like Dr. Tran, Dr. Weston first earned a Bachelor’s degree in biology before pursuing dentistry, but his degree came from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. When he was ready to pursue dentistry, Dr. Weston headed to California and earned his Doctorate degree from the University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry, where he earned the Francis A. Sooy Award for “Outstanding Dental Professional.”

Another strong believer in continuing education for the benefit of dentists and patients alike, Dr. Weston has taken many specialized courses. His continuing education has largely focused on cosmetic procedures, like dental implants, but he is also skilled at sedation dentistry and has specific experience with geriatric dentistry.

At Landmark Dental Group, the skilled staff is there to help you every step of the way, and thanks to their qualified and well-educated dentists, you can get just about any dental treatment you need. If you would like to learn more about what Landmark Dental can do for you, contact them today by clicking here or by calling (831) 464-1372.

Drs. Tran and Weston gave a talk to a group of 2-5 year olds about what a dentist does, why teeth are important, how to brush and floss, and how eating and drinking healthy foods will help keep teeth strong. Assistant Marichelle then showed the kids proper brushing and flossing technique on our friend, Magi the Dragon. The kids all then put on gloves and masks and helped Magi clean her teeth!

We find that it is incredibly important to instill the importance of dental health in young children because many of today’s youth have no idea how neglecting teeth can negatively impact them in the future. It’s also important for them to hear about what we do as dentists, so that they’re not as frightened about visiting their dentist.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends parents bring their child in when they get their first tooth or before they turn 1 year old, and continue to come in at regular 6 month intervals. At these appointments, parents and children are encouraged to ask as many questions. We spend a great deal of time talking to parents about dietary habits and ways to minimize the risk of early childhood cavities. We also talk about oral habits (thumb-sucking, pacifier-use) and how this may affect the growth and development of a child’s jaw and teeth. Next, we perform a visual exam of the child’s teeth for cavities, developmental anomalies or concerns. This can be tricky, but we manage to find the most effective and comfortable position, oftentimes with the child sitting in a parent’s lap or in a knee-to-knee position. We’ll then brush the child’s teeth with a manual toothbrush and water, and paint on a fluoride varnish. As the child ages, we slowly introduce new instruments that we’ll use at their next visit, such as the mirror, “tooth counter,” “fancy power toothbrush,” air and water spray, and our suction “straw.”

We realize traumatic childhood experiences can cause long-term phobia, so it is high priority that we provide children with a positive experience at the dental office. One of the personal joys with having children in our practice is that we get to see them grow and change over time – and at 6 month intervals, these changes can be quite drastic and exciting!

After years and years of telling family and friends about her “baby tooth,” Joyce Walen finally proved to everyone that she is indeed the oldest living person still retaining a primary tooth.

Landmark Dental Group was so honored to evaluate Joyce’s primary tooth, confirming the findings with a clinical evaluation and radiograph.  Congratulations, Joyce!!

Thank you for visiting our new website. We are excited to provide valuable information to our patients and others regarding dentistry and anything oral health related.  Please feel free to ask questions or share your thoughts and you are always welcome to contact us directly either via email (landmark.dentist@gmail.com) or phone (831-464-1372).

First, we would like to introduce ourselves! We are the husband-and-wife team of Dr. Scott Weston and Dr. Trang Tran.  We met and were classmates at the University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry. We have always loved Santa Cruz and the Central Coast, which is why we chose to start our dental practice here four years ago, and we are happy to offer our services in a clean, safe, and comfortable environment. We also have great staff who help us in our mission to treat each patient as if they were a member of our own family.  Leslie and Marichelle are well-trained and highly qualified dental assistants and we feel extremely grateful to have them as part of our team.

We look forward to providing you with some useful and interesting information!  Don’t forget to check back regularly…