“I truly enjoy endodontics because, with this specialty, the patient can come into the office in pain but leave pain free. Endodontics allows me to focus on one tooth at a time and on the patient’s comfort during a procedure.”
Dr. Chang knew he wanted to work in the healthcare field, and he chose dentistry because he enjoyed—and was good at—working with his hands. Specializing in endodontics would allow him to become an expert in a field. After earning a bachelor of science degree in biology from the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA), he attended the UCLA School of Public Health, earning a master of public health degree in environmental health sciences. In 2001, Dr. Chang earned his doctorate in dental surgery from the UCLA School of Dentistry. Then he completed a General Practice Residency at the Sepulveda VA Medical Center before opening a general dentistry office and practicing there for several years.
In 2008, he joined the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of the University of Southern California (USC) as an endodontic resident and trained under Dr. James Simon, an endodontics founding father. Dr. Chang volunteers as part-time faculty at the USC Advanced Endodontics department.
His Treatment Philosophy
Dr. Chang’s treatment philosophy is to try to preserve salvageable teeth. He strives to change the negative image of root canal treatment by alleviating patients’ concerns about the shot and pain they think they would experience during treatment. He says, “I want the patient to leave the office thinking that root canals are really not that bad.”
Education and Training
University of Southern California, Sherman Ostrow School of Dentistry – Advanced endodontics certificate
Sepulveda VA Medical Center – General Practice Residency
University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA), School of Dentistry – Doctor of dental surgery
UCLA School of Public Health – Master of public health, environmental health sciences
UCLA – Bachelor of science, biology
Professional Memberships
American Dental Association
California Dental Association
American Association of Endodontists
Western Los Angeles Dental Society
Dr. Chang’s Interests
Dr. Chang enjoys spending time with his wife and their three children and walking his Alaskan Klee Kai, Hunter. His activities including playing basketball and golf, camping, fishing, surfing at Ventura and Malibu beaches, snowboarding, longboard skateboarding, tending to vegetables in his greenhouse, and playing his bass guitar. He is an avid fan of UCLA football and basketball and the Los Angeles Lakers, Dodgers, and Rams.
