About Us

Meet Our Staff

Doctors:

 

  • Joel Berger, D.D.S., M.D.
  • Ali Dawlatly, M.D., D.D.S

 

Back Office Staff

 

  • Robin D., RN
  • Gina V., RDA, OMSA
  • Betty A., RDA, OMSA
  • Cindy G., RDA, OMSA
  • Gabe P., MA, SPD Tech

 

Front Office Staff

 

  • Patty R., Office Manager
  • Sarah M. Front Office Lead
  • Juan R., Hospital Surgery/Authorization Coordinator
  • Tracey M., Medical Billing
  • Brandon C., Medical Records

 

Meet Dr. Berger, D.D.S., M.D.

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

Appointments:
  • Sharp Memorial, Chief of Oral Surgery Maxillofacial, 1991-2015
  • Children's Hospital, Chief of Dental Oral Surgery, 1990-1992
  • UCSD Department of Plastic Surgery Association, Clinical Professor, 1986-2018
  • Sharp Memorial Hospital, Chief of Surgery, 2007-2008
  • Associate Professor at the UCLA School of Dentistry: 2014 - Present
  • Consultant to Balboa Navy Hospital
Biography:
Dr. Berger was born in Montreal, Canada, where he earned both his bachelor and dental degrees from McGill University. After earning his dental degree, he spent an additional year in advanced dental training at the McGill Graduate School of Dentistry. He subsequently earned his medical degree at the University of Washington. After completing his degree, he entered the oral and maxillofacial surgery training program at the University of Washington, where he completed general surgery and oral and maxillofacial training. He spent one year in Europe doing a fellowship at two major centers, one in Holland and one in Austria. He then returned to McGill University for an additional year of advanced training prior to coming to San Diego.

Dr. Berger has lectured extensively in the United States and Canada on temporomandibular joint disorders, dental implantology and the surgical treatment of sleep disorders. He is past Chief of Maxillofacial Surgery at Children’s Hospital and Sharp Memorial Hospital and serves on the Orthodontic Advisory Committee for California Children’s Services. He is a faculty member of University of California, San Diego, Division of Plastic Surgery, and Secretary of the California Coalition of Cleft and Craniofacial Center.

For his entire career, Dr. Berger has been at the forefront of his field. The following is a brief list of accomplishments that he has achieved in his career:
  • First oral surgeon to perform corrective sleep apnea surgery
  • First oral surgeon to perform cosmetic facial surgery  
  • First oral surgeon to do nerve repair surgeries
  • First surgeon to employ botox in treating facial wrinkles
  • Developer of resorbable plates and screws used in maxillofacial surgery
  • First oral surgeon to use distraction osteo-genesis for congenital deformities
  • First oral maxillofacial surgeon to perform arthroscopic TMJ surgery
  • Chief of Oral Surgery Maxillofacial at Sharp Hospital
  • Chief of Dental Oral Surgery, Rady Children’s Hospital
  • Clinical Professor, UCSD Department of Plastic Surgery
  • Past Chief of Surgery, Sharp Memorial Hospital
  • Boardmember for American College of Maxillofacial Surgeons
  • First oral surgeon to perform corrective sleep apnea surgery
  • First oral surgeon to perform cosmetic facial surgery  
  • First oral surgeon to do nerve repair surgeries
  • First surgeon to employ botox in treating facial wrinkles
  • Developer of resorbable plates and screws used in maxillofacial surgery
  • First oral surgeon to use distraction osteo-genesis for congenital deformities
  • First oral maxillofacial surgeon to perform arthroscopic TMJ surgery
  • Chief of Oral Surgery Maxillofacial at Sharp Hospital
  • Chief of Dental Oral Surgery, Rady Children’s Hospital
  • Clinical Professor, UCSD Department of Plastic Surgery
  • Past Chief of Surgery, Sharp Memorial Hospital
  • Board member for American College of Maxillofacial Surgeons
Honorary Societies:
  • Walker Society
  • Pierre Fauchard Dental Society
  • McGill University School of Dentistry Advisory Board
Affiliations:
  • Academy of Osseointegration
  • Alpha Omega Dental Fraternity
  • American Academy of Implant Dentistry
  • American Association of Implant Dentistry
  • American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Fellow
  • American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Diplomate
  • Inductee, Worldwide Lifetime Archieve (2012)
  • Chief of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, CA (1991-Present)
  • Clinical Professor, UCSD Department of Plastic Surgery Association, San Diego, CA (1986-Present)
  • Featured Member, Pro-Files Magazine, Who's Who Publishers (2012, 2011) 
  • Inductee, Top Elite American Physicians (2012) 
  • Featured Member, Elite Radio Network (2012) 
  • Professional of the Year, Cambridge Who's Who (2011, 2009) 
  • Industry Expert, "Top 101 Industry Experts," Who's Who Publishers (2011) 
  • Inductee, Lifetime Membership, Cambridge Who's Who (2009)
  • Chief of Surgery, Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, CA (2007-2008)
  • Fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons 
  • American Cleft Palate Association
  • American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, Fellow
  • American Dental Association
  • American Medical Association
  • California Dental Association
  • California Medical Association
  • California Cleft Palate Coalition
  • Committee for Assessment of the Efficacy of Surgery for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
  • International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
  • International Congress of Oral Implantologists
  • San Diego Dental Society
  • San Diego Medical Society
  • Member of the American Academy of Implant Fraternity

Ali Dawlatly, M.D., D.D.S

Ali Dawlatly, M.D., D.D.S. is a highly trained board certified dual-degree oral and maxillofacial surgeon. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Colorado, graduating with high distinction. He was selected for induction into the prestigious national dental honor society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon. He earned his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Kentucky.


Following his surgery internship at the Ohio State University, Dr. Dawlatly completed a rigorous six-year oral and maxillofacial surgery residency at the University of Kentucky. He obtained his general surgery and general anesthesia training as a resident physician. Following his residency, he obtained additional cosmetic surgery training with the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.

Dr. Dawlatly is a diplomate of the distinguished American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery. His scope of practice is comprehensive including implants, dentoalveolar surgery, orthognathic surgery, trauma, maxillofacial reconstruction, pathology, temporomandibular surgery, nerve repair, and aesthetic surgery. He is a clinical instructor at the University of California San Diego Health. Dr. Dawlatly regularly volunteers on mission trips overseas for craniofacial surgery and continuously contributes to health projects in underserved rural communities. He is devoted and committed to providing an exceptional level of care to his patients.

Appointments:



  • Scripps Memorial Hospital, La Jolla, CA
  • Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, CA
  • University of California San Diego Health

Professional Affiliations:



  • American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons
  • American Academy of Cosmetic surgery
  • American Board of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons
  • American College of Surgeons
  • California Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons
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