OUR TEAM

James P. Tasto, DDS

Dr. James P. Tasto was born and raised in San Diego. He attended University of San Diego High School where he lettered in both golf and wrestling. After earning a Bachelors in Science from Loyola Marymount University, Dr. Tasto graduated from University of Southern California Dental School with an emphasis on cosmetics and sports dentistry. Dr. Tasto was the team dentist for the San Diego Gulls Professional Hockey Team. He takes extensive courses in cosmetic and restorative dentistry so that he can deliver the highest quality dental care for his patients.

Dr. James Tasto was selected by his peers to be included in the List of Top Dentists in San Diego for 2007 – 2020. He appeared in the May issue of San Diego Magazine. Dr. Tasto is also a member of D.O.C.S. (Doctors Offering Charitable Services), a local organization that offers medical services such as plastic surgery, vision and dental to the less fortunate patients in San Diego. D.O.C.S. has been featured in the L.A. Times and San Diego Magazine.

Dr. Tasto currently resides in San Diego with his lovely wife Traci and their 3 children. He enjoys golf, beach volleyball, snow skiing, and playing with his kids.

Gary M. Sigafoos, DDS

Dr. Gary M. Sigafoos has trained with some of the world’s most prominent periodontists. He is rapidly becoming known as La Jolla area’s leading periodontist for people who want periodontic dentistry.

“As your dentist, I am proud to have served patients in our community for over 25 years. The combination of continuing education and state-of-the-art equipment and materials allow us to offer you and your family the high level of care you’re looking for, with a soft touch. You can rest assured that you’ll receive the personalized attention you deserve. My team and I will listen to your needs and answer all your questions and give you a warm welcome with our ongoing commitment to your overall dental related health.”

Dr. Joel Altshul

Dr. Joel Altshul grew up in the Los Angeles area then in 1974 moved to San Diego to attend UCSD where he graduated with a BS degree in biology.  He then was accepted to Washington University St Louis, School of Dental Medicine where  he earned his DMD degreein 1982. He practiced general dentistry for 11 years before returning to school for his post graduate training in Endodontics
at Oregon Health Sciences University in 1996.  

Dr. Altshul wanted to move back to North San Diego County and in 1997 opened private practice in Vista, Ca and he practiced therefor 25 years.  In 2021, he closed his practice and has been enjoying semi-retirement ever since.

Dr. Bita Farhoumand, Periodontist

Dr. Bita Amanda Farhoumand is a Board Certified Periodontist and Implantologist. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology with Distinction from the University of Virginia, and attended UCLA School of Dentistry where she received her Doctorate of Dental Surgery. During her time in dental school, she was involved in two implant studies at the Department of Periodontics and the Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology and Department of Advanced Prosthodontics. She is also an active member of the American Academy of Periodontology, the Northeastern Society of Periodontists, and the Virginia Society of Periodontists.

Dr. Bita received her Certificate in Periodontics from New York University Post-Graduate Program in Periodontology and Implant Dentistry in 2013. She has received extensive training in the areas of esthetic and functional crown lengthening, esthetic root coverage procedures, periodontal bone regeneration and pocket reduction surgery, minimally traumatic surgical extraction therapy with socket repair grafting, all aspects of simple through complex dental implant therapy, and the full scope of ridge and sinus grafting.

Dr. Bita was a presenter at Jay Siebert Tri-school Symposium in Boston, MA. She was featured as a guest expert on Top Doctors Medical Interviews in 2013 and 2014, which was broadcasted on CNN, FOX News, Bravo, and MSNBC. She received the “Best of Vienna Award” for Periodontics & Implant dentistry in 2012, the Patient’s Choice Award in 2015, and the Top Doctor Award for Periodontics & Implant Dentistry for 2016 and 2017. Dr. Bita has also been involved in teaching: after her training she served some time as Clinical Assistant Professor at New York University, College of Dentistry, and she is currently part of the Dental Implant Surgical Seminar as an Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Francisco Marroquin School of Dentistry in Guatemala. Dr. Bita also served as an expert-witness reviewer for a dental malpractice case in 2017.

Dr. Bita welcomes patients from all areas, and she is fluent in farsi and spanish. With her personalized, conservative, and caring approach to periodontal care, along with her gentle touch, she motivates her patients to keep up with their needed treatment and maintenance program in order to restore and maintain their overall health.