At Golden Coast Dental Care, you will find a team of dedicated specialists and dental professionals at the top of their field. Providing high-quality dentistry is a given; providing a warm and friendly environment where your needs and concerns are heard elevates your experience beyond the ordinary.
A Friendly, Knowledgeable Team
Our incredible hygienists, assistants, and front office staff were hand-selected for their knowledge, experience, and compassionate natures. They chose dentistry because they love helping others, and you’ll see and feel it in every interaction with them. Whether sharing a warm and genuine smile or providing support and encouragement during a procedure, your comfort and well-being are their priorities.
The Highest Standard of Dental Care
We care deeply about the standard of care we provide and are committed to continually advancing our knowledge. Our team members regularly pursue continuing education and advanced training in their areas of expertise to ensure you have access to the best that modern dentistry offers.
We’re excited to welcome you to Golden Coast Dental Care in Long Beach, CA. Until then, please take a few minutes to get to know our team members.
Dr. Brock Lorenz, DMD
Dentist
Dr. Brock Lorenz is a highly trained and skilled board-certified periodontist performing all surgical aspects of implant dentistry and periodontics. Dr. Lorenz earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree and Certificate in Public Health from the Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health. He continued his education at Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine, receiving a Certificate in Periodontics and a Master of Science in dentistry.
During his residency, he was Chief Resident and clinical and academic teacher for dental students. In addition to his Certificate in Periodontics, Dr. Lorenz obtained his Master of Science in Dentistry at Nova Southeastern University. He is also certified to provide intravenous and oral sedation, a certified LANAP and LAPIP provider, and a graduate of the Pinhole Academy.
Dr. Lorenz has lectured for the Florida Academy of Periodontists, and his research has been published in the Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry. He has been active in implant-related research and prospective clinical trials to examine the efficacy of various grafting materials in bone augmentation procedures. Dr. Lorenz owes much of his success to some of the country’s leading implant and periodontal specialists who trained him.
Dr. Lorenz is a Diplomate of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP), a Fellow and Diplomate of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI), and a member of the Academy of Osseointegration (AO). He is also active in the following associations:
- American Dental Society of Anesthesiology (ADSA)
- California Dental Society of Anesthesiology (CDSA)
- American Dental Association (ADA)
- California Dental Association (CDA)
- Orange County Dental Society (OCDS)
A Commitment to Improving Patients’ Lives
Dr. Lorenz was inspired to follow a career in dentistry by his desire to improve others’ lives. He loves helping people and develops great relationships with his patients, treating them as if they’re family. He finds it extremely rewarding to help a patient feel happier about their appearance and oral health and watch as their confidence in their smile blossoms.
While in Arizona, Dr. Lorenz founded outreach clinics and events to improve the oral health of the underserved members of his community. He has received various awards for his academic accomplishments and humanitarian efforts.
Life Outside of Dentistry
When he’s not busy helping patients, Dr. Lorenz enjoys spending lots of time with family and friends. He stays active by playing soccer and running, and his most enjoyable pastime is letting his daughters beat him at video games.
The one thing people might not know about Dr. Lorenz is that he’s an Eagle Scout.
Dr. Raha Baghbanian, DDS
Dentist
Dr. Raha Baghbanian attended the University of Southern California School of Dentistry, where she earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree in 2020. At Golden Coast Dental Care, she provides cosmetic dentistry, including crowns, veneers, fillings, implant restorations, and teeth whitening
Her passion for art and attention to fine detail led her to a dentistry career where she could use her strengths to achieve beautiful, functional results for her patients. The most rewarding part of her job is doing smile reconstructions and giving patients the ultimate confidence boost.
Dr. Baghbanian loves providing dental care to her patients, knowing they trust her and feel relaxed in the chair. She does everything to help each and every one of her patients has a pleasurable experience. Dr. Baghbanian strives for excellence to ensure her patients leave feeling like our team made a difference in their lives.
In her free time, she loves camping and learning to cook new recipes from around the world. One thing people might not know about her is that she speaks English, Spanish, and Farsi and is currently learning French.
Albert Luan , DDS
Dentist
Dr. Albert Luan graduated from the University of California Los Angeles School of Dentistry in 2017. He also completed a General Practice Residency in 2018, where he learned even more extensive and complicated dental procedures.
Dr. Luan is passionate about improving the oral health and esthetics of his patients using the most leading-edge technology Golden Coast Dental Care offers. He specializes in Invisalign aligners to straighten teeth and various cosmetic dentistry techniques to create perfect smiles for his patients.
Dr. Luan likes to spend new time with his wife and new daughter. He enjoys cooking for his family and traveling.
Darren Smolkin , DDS
Practice Limited to Endodontics (Root Canals)
Dr. Smolkin earned a Bachelor of Science in Anatomy in 1990 and a Doctor of Dental Surgery in 1994 from McGill University, Montreal, Canada. In 1997, he obtained his Certificate in Endodontics from the University of Southern California.
Since graduation, Dr. Smolkin has practiced endodontics in multiple locations throughout the Los Angeles/Orange County area.
Dr. Maria Cecilia Garcia
Dentist
Dr. Garcia received her dental degree from Centro Escolar University, Manila. She has been practicing dentistry since 2002 and working at our office since 2008.
Some of Dr. Garcia’s responsibilities include dental hygiene, diagnosing early gum disease, scaling and root planing, laser bacterial reduction, and performing simple oral screenings. She believes oral health is just as important as overall health and that educating her patients helps them make informed decisions when choosing the best treatment option.
Dr. Garcia enjoys being a dentist because she loves having the ability to make a difference in someone’s life. The most rewarding part of her career is when a patient shows appreciation for the positive impact that treatment has had on them.
In her free time, Dr. Garcia loves playing the piano, swimming, and traveling. She also enjoys cooking and tweaking recipes to make them healthier. One thing others might not know about her is that she loves to dance and listen to ‘80s disco music.
Victor Lagos
Back Floor Supervisor
Victor has been in the dental field since 2014. After high school, he knew he wanted to find a career where he could fulfill his passion for helping people. He was accepted into the nursing and dental assistant programs at American Career College; however, he soon found dentistry was his true passion and subsequently graduated as a registered dental assistant.
As our back-floor supervisor, Victor’s responsibilities are managing the administrative and clinical duties of our practice. He oversees day-to-day operations to ensure the back office runs smoothly and efficiently and patients receive high-quality care. He also handles patient inquiries and educates them on dental treatments or procedures.
Victor finds it rewarding to work with our patients. He enjoys helping them improve their oral health and seeing its positive impact on their overall well-being. He likes to treat our patients as if they were friends or family members because he only wants the best for them and nothing less!
Victor also enjoys working with a dedicated team who shares the goal of providing excellent patient care. Collaborating with his coworkers and seeing the positive results of their teamwork is one of his favorite things about working in dentistry.
In his free time, Victor loves cycling and going for long bike rides on the beach. He is also a foodie and is always open to trying new dishes and expanding his palate. One thing people might not know about Victor: he was in band in high school and was first chair in his class.
Diana Merito Madrid
Dental Assistant
As a child, Diana was always excited to visit the dentist because they treated her so warmly. She began her career in dental assisting, working part-time while attending San Francisco State University for her bachelor's degree. She enjoyed her job so much that she decided to finish her degree but continue pursuing a dental career.
Diana joined our team in 2022, and her responsibilities include assisting doctors with general treatment, taking x-rays, intraoral photos, and iTero scanning. Her other duties include instrument sterilization, restocking, and phone calls.
She finds it most rewarding to work with patients and help them achieve their oral health goals. She loves learning about her patients' lives and catching up with them at every visit. Thanks to our amazing team, work is like a second home for Diana, and she is always proud of how teamwork helps our patients and staff achieve their goals.
Diana enjoys trying new things in her free time, especially those outside her comfort zone. She loves Pilates, and her most unique hobby is ballroom dancing. A fun fact that people may not know about Diana is that she was born and raised in Bay Area.
Vanessa Magallon
Front Office Manager
Vanessa is the first smiling face you’ll see when you enter our Golden Coast Dental Care office. She will help you schedule your appointments, answer any treatment-related questions, and ensure you have a pleasant experience with us.
She is a great team player, ensuring the entire office runs smoothly and that every patient feels well taken care of from the moment they arrive to the moment they leave. Vanessa specializes in helping you navigate the costs of dental treatment by optimizing your insurance benefits, saving you as much money as possible.
Vanessa enjoys spending time with her husband and their Japanese Shih Tzu. She is a foody, so she likes to explore new restaurants to discover the latest flavors Southern California offers. After work, you may see her at a local Zumba class.
Claudia Ordaz
Front Office Receptionist
Claudia is always here to greet you with a friendly smile when you visit Golden Coast Dental Care. Not only does Claudia help you with all of your front-office needs, but she also assists with dental procedures, taking x-rays and other back-office duties. She truly cares about your well-being and wants to make sure that you have the best possible dental experience at our office.
Claudia has two children who are her blessings. She enjoys taking them to the park, walking along the beach, and spending time with her extended family.