Meet the Doctors behind your smile
Meet
Dr. Rael Bernstein
Orthodontist
Dr. Bernstein was born and raised in South Africa and attended the prestigious Wits Dental School, where he finished at the top of his class. He then completed his orthodontic specialty residency at the State University of New York at Buffalo.
After his residency, he accepted a university fellowship position, where he became a clinical assistant professor in the orthodontic department.
He yearned for a climate similar to South Africa and decided to relocate to Southern California, where he met his wife, Debbie, also a dental specialist.
He opened his first orthodontic practice shortly after.
Dr. Bernstein is committed to excellence in orthodontics. He has lectured nationally on self-ligation and early interceptive treatment to other orthodontists and dentists. He strives to provide the latest and greatest to all of his patients in a friendly, upbeat atmosphere.
In his spare time, Dr. Bernstein enjoys racing go-karts, working out, snowboarding in winter, and devoting himself to his wife and two daughters.
Meet
Dr. Naveen
Orthodontist
Dr. Naveen joins us from chilly Boston, MA, to sunny California. He completed his dental and orthodontics degree from Boston University with high honors, and also practiced general dentistry in the Boston area. He previously maintained a private practice in India along with his wife, in addition to being a part time orthodontic teaching faculty at the dental school.
Dr. Naveen was originally inspired to become an oral surgeon, but decided to become an orthodontist, as he truly believes that it’s the first specialty in dentistry that helps create lasting smiles. Dr. Naveen devoted his time to the Cleft Children Foundation, which aligned with his interest in making new smiles for those in need.
Dr. Naveen helps patients maintain realistic expectations with end results in mind, to make treatment simple, fun, and comfortable.
In his spare time, Dr. Naveen loves practicing yoga, biking, trekking and outdoor activities with his wife and two sons.
Meet
Dr. Wendan Li
Orthodontist
Dr. Li graduated magna cum laude from Columbia University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Neuroscience and went on to receive her DDS from the University of California, San Francisco. Subsequently, she returned to her alma mater Columbia, where she received her Certificate in Orthodontics and Master of Science and served as Chief Resident.
Dr. Li’s passion for orthodontics is driven by her own personal experience. She did not receive orthodontic treatment growing up like most kids, but pursued braces later in life as an adult, while in dental school. Undergoing treatment gave her a unique perspective into the life-changing power of orthodontics, which consequently led Dr. Li to pursue Orthodontics to obtain the knowledge to be able to give that same transformative joy to others. Dr. Li finds it a privilege and an honor as an orthodontist to help patients as they start their journey towards achieving healthy, beautiful, and confident smiles.
Her #1 advice for all her patients is to keep your teeth clean, wear elastics as instructed, and avoid foods that could break your braces, as this ensures that treatment is as quick and successful as possible. With Dr. Li as your orthodontist, she promises to make the patient experience seamless, by making you feel comfortable while having fun! She hopes her patients will look forward to coming to their appointments and stay motivated about completing their orthodontic journey.
When Dr. Li is not creating smiles, she enjoys traveling, trying new restaurants, hiking, watching movies, listening to podcasts, and reading. She’s an avid home cook and baker and loves trying new recipes. One of her favorite cuisines is her native Chinese food because of the wide variety of dishes. Dr. Li lives in San Francisco with her husband and is a huge fan of the Warriors & Jeopardy!
Meet
Dr. Cheryl L. Held
Orthodontist
Dr. Cheryl L. Held is originally from Northern California. She made her way to Missouri where she has worked in her own private practice for over two decades, and she is now excited to return to Northern California to bring her expertise and experience to the WOW! team.
Prior to becoming an orthodontic assistant and then, an orthodontist, Dr. Held worked at The Harker School Summer Camp in California for 10 consecutive summers. It was here where Dr. Held determined that orthodontics would be a career in which she would be passionate - helping people, working with children and adults, being challenged, using science and math, and working puzzles.
After attending the University of California at Davis and earning her Bachelor of Science degree, Dr. Held attended the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry in San Francisco where she received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree. At Saint Louis University Center for Advanced Dental Education, she earned her Master of Science degree in orthodontics. She married her husband in Carmel, so she feels a strong connection to the area.
Dr. Held’s goal for the patient experience is WOWing her patients! She & the WOW! Smiles team are here to create a fun, efficient, and comfortable treatment process and an exquisite result.
During her free time, Dr. Held loves to spend time with her husband: watching movies, following Cardinals baseball and 49ers football, participating in community events, playing games, flying kites, and relaxing. She also enjoys singing, exercising, music, and collecting spoons.