SCRIPPS CENTER FOR DENTAL CARE - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• General Dentist
• Member of the California Dental Association

Dr. Cole Bender is a Southern California native who strives to help patients reach their desired treatment outcomes through high-quality, empathetic, and compassionate care. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of California Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences and a minor in Entrepreneurial Management. Dr. Bender later went on to earn his Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, where he graduated with Honors in Clinical Restorative Dentistry. He also started his own company designed to deliver 3D technology to dental classrooms across the nation. It was here that Dr. Bender discovered his passion for evidence-based dentistry, patient-centered treatment, and utilizing modern dental technology to improve dental care. After graduating from dental school, Dr. Bender moved back to Southern California and completed a one-year General Practice Residency at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in San Diego. He was grateful for the opportunity to give back to the nation's veterans while receiving extensive training in oral surgery, root canal therapies, implant dentistry, and complex restorative sciences. Dr. Bender is an active member of the California Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the San Diego Dental Society. Through these associations, he continues to improve through continuing education and keeping up-to-date with cutting-edge technology in order to deliver state-of-the-art treatments. Outside of dentistry, Dr. Bender and his wife, Alexandra, enjoy an active lifestyle and can be found hanging on the beach with their Bernese Mountain Dog, Barb, as well as golfing, surfing, hiking, snowboarding, and adventuring across California.

Job Titles:

• General Dentist
• Member of the California Dental Association

Dr. Dylan J.T. Benke was born and raised in San Diego, CA. He graduated with honors from San Diego Christian University, earning a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences. Through local and national volunteer work, Dr. Benke discovered his passion for medicine. Recognizing a variety of healthcare specialties, Dr. Benke found dentistry to be a truly rewarding and fulfilling field of medicine that offered the opportunity to deliver meaningful and compassionate care to patients. While attending the University of Nevada's School of Dental Medicine and Lee Business School, Dr. Benke was one of only four people in his graduating class to successfully complete a dual MBA/DMD program. His extensive educational background complements his commitment to evidence-based clinical recommendations to achieve conservative, long-lasting results for his patients. Dr. Benke continues to advance his skills through continuing education, maintaining a focus on dental cosmetics, dental implants, and implantology. He is currently working towards the "Associate Fellow" status with the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID). He has also been accepted into a rigorous two-year residency program through the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) and works closely with his preceptors, Dr. John F. Weston, FAACD and Dr. Nicholas Marongiu, AAACD at Scripps Center for Dental Care. Dr. Benke is an active member of the California Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and the San Diego County Dental Society. Through these associations, he continues to keep up-to-date with the latest dental technology in order to continue to deliver state-of-the-art dental care. Dr. Benke has worked with many charitable dental organizations aiding underserved populations, including Veterans Homeless, Give Kids a Smile, Remote Area Medical - USA, and UCSD's Pre-Dental Society, to name a few. Dr. Benke enjoys the outdoor lifestyle predominant in San Diego, which includes fishing, surfing, snowboarding, and also loves traveling with his family. If you have additional questions, or if you would like to schedule a consultation, please contact our office today.

Job Titles:

• Founder

Dr. Ray Stewart, founder of Scripps Center for Dental Care in La Jolla, talks about the history and mission of our practice. Dr. Stewart is proud of the dentists and the team here because of their dedication to provide their patients the best dental and oral healthcare possible.

Job Titles:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery

Penelope Mulligan is a native Texan and has resided in San Diego since 2008. She began her college education at the University of North Texas studying Biology and Kinesiology. She then obtained her Bachelor's of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene from Texas A&M/Baylor College of Dentistry, located in Dallas, Texas. During her attendance at Texas A&M, Penelope traveled under school sponsorship to various rural areas of Mexico, Indian Reservations in Oklahoma, Texas Denton State School (under the auspices of Dept. of Aging and Disability Services), Texas Scottish Rite Hospital (a pediatric orthopedic hospital), and she worked extensively with HIV/AIDS patients from The Nelson Tebedo Clinic in Dallas, Texas. In 2007 with over ten years practicing as a Dental Hygienist, Penelope has worked for the prominent firm Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceuticals (OraPharma) as a Hygiene Educator. Her role was to educate and present clinical information on chemotherapeutic agent to Dental Hygiene programs in universities and corporate/private practices. Since her move to Southern California, we have been extremely happy to have her as part of our team. Penelope is also an avid continuing education attendee. She enjoys seeking out methods to improve the comprehensive care she provides to patients by using new and innovative techniques (i.e. Lasers, Chemotherapeutic Agents), products and philosophies. She is a member of The American Dental Hygiene Association and The San Diego County Dental Hygiene Society. She enjoys music, reading, her friends and outdoor activities. Penelope is an avid sports fan and is certified in scuba diving, which she has incorporated in her extensive travels throughout Europe, parts of South America and remote areas of the Caribbean. Not surprising when you meet Penelope, she was voted Social Chairperson of her class.

Job Titles:

• Member of the American College of Prosthodontics

Dr. Robert Bosworth specializes in comprehensive tooth replacement systems and works closely with all of our dental specialists to coordinate complex restorations and rehabilitations. He earned his Dental Surgery degree from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in San Antonio. As a commissioned officer in the US Navy, he completed a General Practice Residency at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. In 1999, he began his residency at the Navy Postgraduate School of Dentistry in Bethesda, Maryland. This rigorous three-year residency included all aspects of prosthodontics, including complete and partial dentures, crowns, bridges, dental implants, and dental laboratory sciences. He completed his residency in 2002, earning a Master's degree in Health Sciences from George Washington University, D.C., and his certificate in prosthodontics. Dr. Bosworth served 12 years in the Navy, including an independent sea tour on a US Navy warship, two years in Japan, and two years with the First Marines. Dr. Bosworth's last tour with the Navy was at the world's largest naval base in Norfolk, Virginia, where he served as head of the department, chairman of the implant board, and instructor for the advanced education in general dentistry residency. Dr. Bosworth is a member of the American College of Prosthodontics, the Academy of Osseointegration (the leading dental implant organization worldwide), and the American Dental Association. He is also a graduate of the California Implant Institute in La Jolla, California. Dr. Bosworth and his wife, Emily, have three children. They enjoy sailing, hiking, biking, and the beautiful San Diego beaches.