SMILES - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Pedodontist / Dentist for Kids
Dr. Erin Shah was born and raised in the Midwest and spent her childhood in South Dakota and Wisconsin. She moved to Chicago for college where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Design. She worked in several managerial and consulting roles before she discovered her passion for dentistry while managing board examinations for the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. While completing post-baccalaureate pre-dental training at Loyola University Chicago, she worked at a busy pediatric dental office where she discovered her love of working with kids. She knew then that she wanted to be a pediatric dentist.
Dr. Shah moved to San Francisco to earn her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry (UOP). While there, she was active with the California Dental Association and chaired UOP's student involvement in CDA Cares where she initiated and coordinated the largest volunteer effort in the history of her dental school, gathering over 160 students to provide free dental care at semi-annual CDA Cares events. In addition, Dr. Shah has volunteered her time providing dental care to children in Illinois, various other organizations in the Bay Area, and internationally, including for a tribe in Fiji.
After graduating dental school, she took a year to practice general and esthetic dentistry and teach, staying on at UOP to teach restorative dentistry, clinical examinations, and local anesthesia. She also worked doing children's dentistry at community clinics in Oakland and Marin County and served on several committees with the San Francisco Dental Society and California Dental Association.
Dr. Shah returned to Chicago to complete her pediatric dentistry residency training at the University of Illinois at Chicago where she worked with children with autism, complex medical conditions, and severe dental needs. She returned to San Francisco to practice and is a candidate for Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. She remains active on committees with local and state organized dentistry.
Dr. Shah lives in San Francisco with her husband and daughter. Dr. Shah has enjoyed all types of dance since she was a young girl, having studied ballet, tap, and various ethnic dances, including Bhangra, a lively Indian dance. She enjoys spending time with her family, cooking together, playing board games, reading and travelling.
Job Titles:
- Board Certified Specialist
- Member of the American Academy of Periodontology
Dr. Jonathan Weng is a Board Certified Specialist in Periodontics and Implantology who has advanced training in periodontal therapy, laser gum disease therapy (LANAP), cosmetic surgery, bone grafting procedures, and dental implant therapy.
Born and raised in the Bay Area, Dr. Weng attended UCLA receiving a Bachelor of Science degree as well as his Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS). He then relocated to San Francisco where he received his Certificate in Periodontics and Master's Degree in Oral Biology from UCSF.
Dr. Weng believes in the importance of giving back to the community and consequently serves at Asian Health Services in Oakland. At the community clinic, he not only provides his expertise for the underserved but also teaches the residents and dental students. In addition to serving, Dr. Weng also believes in the importance of clear communication whether it's taking the time to discuss the pros and cons of therapy with his patients or working as part of a comprehensive dental team to meet his patients' needs.
Outside of dentistry, he enjoys spending time with his wife and young children, Maddie, Nolan and Olivia, and volunteering at various community organizations. He also loves rooting for the local and UCLA sports teams.
Dr. Weng is an active member of the American Academy of Periodontology, American Dental Association, San Francisco Dental Society, and the California Dental Association.
Don't let her youthful face fool you. Dr. Kamille Mercado is a talented, accomplished and highly-skilled professional and we are excited to have her join our ranks as the premier dental providers in the area. She not only earned top honors and graduated the top of her class, but was an award-winning published researcher before she picked up her well-earned diploma.
She graduated Magna Cum Laude at University of Pacific Stockton with a BS in Biology, where she was also a member of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. She earned her DDS degree from the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry and was inducted into the Tau Kappa Omega Honorary Society. Her dental pulp stem cells research was published in the Journal of the California Dental Association (JCDA) and was awarded by the American Association of Dental Research. Upon graduating she extended her training to include a yearlong Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency program run by NYU Langone in San Jose.
Her passion for dentistry started when she interned with her dentist in high school and it only grew deeper the more she learned about the level of artistry and skill it demanded, and the difference it can make in someone's life. "When I can help get patients out of dental pain, educate them about their oral health, and improve the esthetic appearance of their smile, it is very fulfilling. It's not just about "fixing their teeth," it's about helping to improve their quality of life," said Dr. Kamille Mercado.
Looking for a practice who could match her dedication and push her expertise, Dr. Mercado joined South San Francisco Dental Care in 2020. From her initial stints filling in for some of our providers, she was impressed by the level of teamwork and camaraderie she observed. She was also excited by the ability to collaborate with our in-house specialists to give her patients the best comprehensive care possible. She is now in our practice full-time and is joined by a team of dedicated dental providers who are as equally committed to their craft and to delivering unparalleled customer service.
Raised by immigrant parents in Daly City, she has lived most of her life in SF Bay. She looks forward to developing her career here and serving her hometown community. She could think of no better place to live with its diversity of food, people, culture and landscape. Her skills and passion doesn't stop at dentistry. She plays piano and guitar, speaks Filipino and Spanish, and is learning Japanese and Korean through her favorite dramas.
Dr. Kelvin C. Choi started his South San Francisco dental practice more than 25 years ago, after graduating from the School of Dentistry at the University of the Pacific in 1977. He has also taught in the fixed prosthodontics department at UOP from 1977 to 1980. He holds dental licenses in both California (since 1977) and in Hong Kong (since 1979). Dr. Choi's high standards produce quality dentistry that has helped numerous patients achieve their life-changing "dream smile."
Dr. Choi is the father of four children. The eldest is working in Hong Kong and the other three chose to go into dentistry, including Dr. Alexandra Choi, and Dr. Philip Choi, who have joined the practice. Dr. Choi is an active member in his Christian church and enjoys going to the gym, cycling, and spending time with his family.