Meet Our Doctors

J. Shahangian, DDS, MS, CLEC, FAAPD

Pediatric dentist, Dr. J grew up in San Diego and went to Rancho Bernardo High School, where he played soccer for the Broncos. Currently, he is on faculty with the UCLA Department of Pediatric Dentistry and is on staff with San Diego’s Rady Children’s Hospital. He is also a blogger and a breastfeeding advocate. Since 2010, he established his private practice in his hometown to serve San Diego families with two offices in Scripps Ranch/Mira Mesa area. He is also a proud husband and father of three girls and a little boy.

Pediatric dentist, Dr. J grew up in San Diego and went to Rancho Bernardo High School, where he played soccer for the Broncos. Currently, he is on faculty with the UCLA Department of Pediatric Dentistry and is on staff with San Diego’s Rady Children’s Hospital. He is also a blogger and a breastfeeding advocate. Since 2010, he established his private practice in his hometown to serve San Diego families with two offices in Scripps Ranch/Mira Mesa area. He is also a proud husband and father of three girls and a little boy.

Dr J. earned a honors degree in Molecular Cell Biology at UC Berkeley, then he attended UCLA for dental school. There, he served as Student Body President and was recognized by the Dean’s Leadership Institute. Subsequent to earning his D.D.S. from UCLA with honors, Dr. J completed 3 years of specialty training at the University of North Carolina. At UNC, Dr. J served as Chief Resident and won national recognition for his research on hereditary dental disorders. Dr J is also a breastfeeding advocate and a UCSD trained Certified Lactation Educator Counselor.

Neek LaMantia, DDS, MPH

Dr. Nicole ‘Neek’ LaMantia is a Chicago native who competed at the collegiate level as a triathlete and at the international level as an Irish dancer. She studied at Marquette University before completing her DDS at UC San Francisco. She then completed a residency in Pediatric Dentistry along with a master’s degree in Public Health at UCLA.

​​​​​Dr. Nicole ‘Neek’ LaMantia is a Chicago native who competed at the collegiate level as a triathlete and at the international level as an Irish dancer. She studied at Marquette University before completing her DDS at UC San Francisco. She then completed a residency in Pediatric Dentistry along with a master’s degree in Public Health at UCLA.

She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the California Society of Pediatric Dentistry and as a liaison for the San Diego area for the American Academy of Pediatrics. When she's not practicing dentistry, Dr. Neek enjoys spending her time with her husband and daughter. She continues to stay active by running, practicing yoga, and swimming in beautiful San Diego.

Jenni Brehove, DMD, MS

Dr. Jenni Brehove, DMD, MS is a North County San Diego native who first fell in love with orthodontics at age 12, right after discovering how fun orthodontic visits could be & how magical it felt to see her own new smile when her braces came off. Ever since then, she knew she wanted to help other people feel that same confidence and excitement.

Dr. Jenni Brehove, DMD, MS is a North County San Diego native who first fell in love with orthodontics at age 12, right after discovering how fun orthodontic visits could be & how magical it felt to see her own new smile when her braces came off. Ever since then, she knew she wanted to help other people feel that same confidence and excitement.

Dr. Jenni earned her Bachelor of Science in Molecular & Cellular Biology from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington, where she also played four years of NCAA volleyball and even became an All-American! She completed her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at Roseman University of Health Sciences in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2019, followed by her Master of Science and Specialty Certification in Orthodontics from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 2021.

She is an active member of SDCDS, PCSO, AAO, CAO, CDA. In 2022, she earned board certification from the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO), a distinction achieved by a group of orthodontists who are committed to the highest standards of clinical excellence.

Outside the office, Dr. Jenni embraces an active and adventurous lifestyle. She loves playing beach and indoor volleyball, traveling the world in search of new cities and cultures, and hanging out with family, friends, and their dogs.