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Our Story

Meet the Uplift Dental Team

Four specialists united by one mission — exceptional dental care with compassion, honesty, and community at the heart of everything we do.

Who We Are

Garden Grove's Multi-Specialty Dental Practice

Uplift Dental & Orthodontics is more than a dental office — it's a community institution. Founded by Dr. Ragy Stefan, our practice was built on the belief that every person deserves access to high-quality dental care, regardless of their insurance status or financial circumstances.

We're proud to be one of the few dental practices in Garden Grove that offers general dentistry, orthodontics, oral surgery, and periodontics under one roof. This means less referrals, less travel, and more coordinated care for you and your family.

We hold Platinum Invisalign® Provider status, use the iTero intraoral scanner and SprintRay 3D printer for cutting-edge precision, and accept Denti-Cal, most PPO plans, and military insurance. We also offer Cherry and CareCredit financing to make treatment accessible.

Platinum Invisalign® Provider
iTero® 3D Scanner
SprintRay 3D Printing
Denti-Cal Accepted
Military Insurance Welcome
Cherry & CareCredit
Free Consultations
Same-Day Emergencies
Uplift Dental & Orthodontics team in Garden Grove, CA — Dr. Stefan, Dr. Schneekluth, Dr. Youssef, Dr. Saad

Our Values

What Drives Us Every Day

Compassion First

We treat every patient like family — with kindness, empathy, and genuine care for their wellbeing.

Clinical Excellence

Continuous education, advanced technology, and evidence-based practices ensure the best outcomes.

Community Commitment

From school screenings to accepting Denti-Cal, we believe quality dental care should be accessible to all.

Transparency

We explain every treatment option, every cost, and every step — no surprises, ever.

Expert Care

Our Doctors

Dr. Ragy Stefan, DDS — Founder & General Dentist at Uplift Dental & Orthodontics Garden Grove CA

Founder & General Dentist

Dr. Ragy Stefan, DDS

"Every patient deserves to feel heard, respected, and cared for. That's not just our mission — it's our promise."

Dr. Ragy Stefan founded Uplift Dental & Orthodontics with a clear vision: to provide honest, compassionate, and high-quality dental care to every patient who walks through the door — regardless of their insurance status or financial situation.

A graduate of Western University's College of Dental Medicine, Dr. Stefan is known for his patient-first approach, his transparency in treatment planning, and his genuine care for the community he serves. He takes time to explain every procedure, answer every question, and ensure patients feel comfortable and informed.

Beyond clinical excellence, Dr. Stefan is deeply committed to community service. In the past year alone, his team has provided oral health screenings to over 1,000 children at local schools — helping families who might not otherwise have access to dental care.

Education

Western University of Health Sciences, College of Dental Medicine

Professional Memberships

Orange County Dental Society

AADMD

CMANA

Specialties

General DentistryCosmetic DentistryDental ImplantsPreventive Care
Dr. Clark Schneekluth, DDS — Orthodontist at Uplift Dental & Orthodontics Garden Grove CA

Orthodontist

Dr. Clark Schneekluth, DDS

"A straight smile isn't just about aesthetics — it's about confidence, health, and quality of life."

With over 40 years of experience creating beautiful, functional smiles, Dr. Clark Schneekluth is one of Orange County's most trusted and experienced orthodontists. He has been serving patients in Garden Grove, Seal Beach, Los Alamitos, and surrounding communities since 1983.

Dr. Schneekluth's philosophy is simple: every patient deserves a smile they're proud of, and orthodontic treatment should be accessible and affordable. He offers a full range of orthodontic solutions — from traditional metal braces to modern clear aligners — and works with patients of all ages.

His decades of experience mean he's seen and treated virtually every orthodontic case imaginable. Patients appreciate his calm demeanor, his thorough explanations, and his commitment to delivering results that last a lifetime.

Education

University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry

Professional Memberships

American Association of Orthodontists

Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists

Specialties

OrthodonticsTraditional BracesClear Ceramic BracesInvisalign®Retainers
Dr. Joseph Youssef, DDS — Board-Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon at Uplift Dental & Orthodontics Garden Grove CA

Board-Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

Dr. Joseph Youssef, DDS

"I came back to serve the community I grew up in. Every patient I treat feels like family — and I approach every case with the same precision and care I'd want for my own."

A Huntington Beach native, Dr. Joseph Youssef is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon who made the intentional choice to return to Orange County — to be closer to family and to give back to the community that shaped him. His calm presence, precise technique, and ability to demystify complex procedures make him a surgeon patients genuinely trust.

Dr. Youssef earned his dental degree at UCSF before heading to New York for his Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery residency at Montefiore Medical Center, where he rose to Chief Resident and earned the Leo M. Davidoff Society Award for his dedication to teaching and mentorship.

He is recognized as an All-on-X full-arch implant specialist, having served as a lead surgeon at a high-volume full-arch rehabilitation center. His surgical scope spans dentoalveolar surgery, dental implants, facial trauma, corrective jaw surgery, and TMJ reconstruction. He holds advanced certifications in BLS, ACLS, PALS, and ATLS, and provides hospital-based care at both Long Beach Memorial and CHOC.

Education

University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Dentistry

OMS Residency — Montefiore Medical Center, New York (Chief Resident 2023–2024; Leo M. Davidoff Society Award)

Certifications: BLS, ACLS, PALS, ATLS

Professional Memberships

American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS)

California Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (CAOMS)

Staff Surgeon — Long Beach Memorial Medical Center

Staff Surgeon — CHOC (Children's Hospital of Orange County)

Specialties

Oral & Maxillofacial SurgeryAll-on-X Full-Arch ImplantsWisdom Teeth RemovalBone GraftingFacial TraumaCorrective Jaw SurgeryTMJ Reconstruction
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Outside the OR, Dr. Youssef enjoys beach days with his wife and daughter, cooking for family and friends, and playing basketball. He's a lifelong Lakers fan who was lucky enough to meet Kobe Bryant four times in college — and keeps a signed jersey as a daily reminder of what relentless preparation looks like. At home, he's also the proud owner of a dog named Root Tip — "Rootie" for short.

Dr. Erene Saad, DMD MS — Periodontist at Uplift Dental & Orthodontics Garden Grove CA

Periodontist

Dr. Erene Saad, DMD MS

"Healthy gums are the foundation of every beautiful smile. I'm here to make sure yours lasts a lifetime."

Dr. Erene Saad is a board-trained Periodontist with a Master of Science degree in Periodontology, bringing specialized expertise in gum health, periodontal disease treatment, and dental implant placement to Uplift Dental & Orthodontics.

Dr. Saad is passionate about helping patients understand the critical connection between gum health and overall systemic health. She takes a thorough, personalized approach to diagnosis and treatment — whether that means non-surgical therapy, advanced laser treatment, or surgical intervention — always prioritizing the least invasive path to lasting health.

Her warm, reassuring demeanor helps even the most anxious patients feel comfortable. She believes that healthy gums are the foundation of a beautiful, lasting smile, and she's dedicated to giving every patient the healthy foundation they deserve.

Education

Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) — Dental School

Master of Science (MS) in Periodontology — Advanced Specialty Training

Professional Memberships

American Academy of Periodontology (AAP)

California Society of Periodontists

California Dental Association

Specialties

PeriodonticsScaling & Root PlaningGum GraftsCrown LengtheningLANAP Laser TherapyBone GraftingDental ImplantsOsseous Surgery
Dr. Daniel Ghobrial, DDS — Endodontist at Uplift Dental & Orthodontics Garden Grove CA

Endodontist

Dr. Daniel Ghobrial, DDS

"Saving a natural tooth is always the best outcome. With precision and the right technology, we can make that possible for almost every patient."

Dr. Daniel Ghobrial is a dedicated endodontist committed to precision, evidence-based care, and the preservation of natural teeth. He completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at UCSF in 2022, followed by a two-year advanced specialty residency in Endodontics at UCSF — one of the nation's leading dental institutions — where he received his certificate of specialty training in 2024.

Dr. Ghobrial specializes in microscopic and surgical endodontics, complex retreatment cases, trauma management, and advanced pain control. He incorporates cutting-edge technology including digital imaging and operating microscopy to deliver precise, predictable outcomes with exceptional patient comfort.

He has published research in the International Endodontic Journal on regenerative endodontic therapy and has presented on platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and stem-cell–mediated regeneration. Outside the office, Dr. Ghobrial enjoys running, visiting national parks, and snowboarding.

Education

Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences — University of California, Irvine (2017)

Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) — University of California, San Francisco (2022)

Certificate in Endodontics — UCSF Advanced Specialty Residency (2024)

Professional Memberships

American Association of Endodontists (AAE)

American Dental Association (ADA)

Northern California Academy of Endodontics

Specialties

Root Canal TherapyMicroscopic EndodonticsSurgical EndodonticsComplex RetreatmentTrauma ManagementRegenerative EndodonticsAdvanced Pain Control

The Team Behind the Team

Our Support Staff

The dedicated professionals who make every visit comfortable, organized, and seamless.

Angeliki Blanco — Office Manager at Uplift Dental & Orthodontics Garden Grove CA

Office Manager

Angeliki Blanco

Angeliki is the engine that keeps Uplift Dental running. From coordinating schedules and managing insurance to making sure every patient has a seamless experience, she handles it all with grace and a smile. Her organizational instincts and genuine care for both the team and patients make her the backbone of the practice.

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Off the clock, Angeliki is in her element — whipping up authentic Greek recipes, cheering on the legacy of Kobe Bryant, and hanging out with her French bulldog.

Sinath Oum — Lead Dental Assistant at Uplift Dental & Orthodontics Garden Grove CA

Lead Dental Assistant

Sinath Oum

Sinath is the heartbeat of our clinical team. As Lead Dental Assistant, she keeps every appointment running smoothly, ensures patients feel at ease, and mentors the rest of our assistants with patience and expertise. Her warm presence and sharp attention to detail make her an irreplaceable part of the Uplift Dental family.

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Outside the office, Sinath is all about family — spending quality time with her kids and her doberman, Mochi.

Geneyah Warren — Registered Dental Assistant at Uplift Dental & Orthodontics Garden Grove CA

Registered Dental Assistant

Geneyah Warren

Geneyah brings energy, precision, and a genuine passion for patient care to every appointment. As a Registered Dental Assistant, she works seamlessly alongside our doctors to deliver a smooth, comfortable experience — and her calm, reassuring presence has a way of putting even the most nervous patients at ease.

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The eldest of three siblings, Geneyah has always been the trailblazer of the family. She lives by a simple philosophy: never stop exploring — whether that means picking up a new skill, chasing a new experience, or finding the next adventure.

Community Impact

Giving Back to Garden Grove

We believe healthy smiles shouldn't be a privilege. That's why we actively work to make dental care accessible to everyone in our community.

1,000+
Children Screened

Free oral health screenings at local Garden Grove schools annually.

100%
Denti-Cal Accepted

We proudly accept Denti-Cal to serve patients who need it most.

3
Professional Associations

OCDS, AADMD, and CMANA memberships ensuring the highest standards.

Ready to Meet the Team?

Book a free consultation and experience the Uplift Dental difference.