Meet The Doctors
Erik Sahl, DDS, MSD
Dr. Erik Sahl received his bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University with a Major in Biological Sciences and a Minor in Chemistry in 2002. He went on to earn his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS in 2006 from the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. Dr. Sahl then practiced general dentistry for 2 years, after which going on to earn his Masters of Science Degree in Dentistry (MSD) in Periodontics.
Dr. Sahl has placed hundreds of dental implants and performed hundreds of periodontal surgeries and soft tissue grafts, and is also an Assistant Professor at the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, Department of Advanced Periodontics, where he teaches and mentors students who are specializing in Periodontics. In April of 2015, Dr. Sahl was appointed the Program Director for the Advanced Specialty Education in Periodontics Residency Program at the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry. Dr. Sahl is a published author in the realm of periodontal bacteria and the treatment and diagnosis of periodontal disease progression. He is currently involved in a number of clinical and basic science research projects at the School of Dentistry, namely evaluating the precision and accuracy of dental implant surgical guide fabrication.
Dr. Sahl is also an active lecturer for numerous Continuing Dental Education courses, most notably recently lecturing for the American Academy of Periodontology at the annual meeting, as well as for other local societies such as the California Society of Periodontists and the Tri-County Dental Society.
Dr. Sahl is an active member of the California Dental Association, the American Academy of Periodontology, a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, the American Dental Association, the Tri-County Dental Society, and the Academy of Osseointegration.
Dr. Sahl has been practicing in the Coachella Valley with Inland Dental Specialties since 2011, as well as the Inland Empire. He enjoys spending time with his family and friends, and is an avid golfer. He is always expanding his knowledge base though research and clinical training, and is very excited to bring his services to the Desert.
Otis Chong, DDS

Dr. Chong is one of a few dual Ivy League Trained Endodontists in the state of California. He attended the University of Pennsylvania for his dental studies where he earned his DMD with Honors. Dr. Chong earned his Master’s in Medical Science and certificate in Endodontics at the prestigious Harvard University.
Dr. Chong holds a faculty position at the University of California, Los Angeles where he provides clinical based instruction on root canal therapy and lectures extensively to dental students.
Dr. Chong strives to provide cutting edge dental care in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. He currently resides in Orange County with his wife who is also a dentist and their two dogs.
Juliana Carvalho, DDS
Dr. Carvalho received her dental degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. While in school she developed great interest in periodontics and its treatment varieties. She participated in implant courses from the MISCH Implant Institute.
After Or. Carvalho received her dental degree she started her periodontal and implant training at Loma Linda University. She obtained her Masters by researching the effects of local drugs in periodontal treatment. Her research was published in 2006 and she went on to work as an assistant professor while practicing at the same time at the Faculty Dental Offices. Other research participations were in the wound healing and immunology field.
Dr. Carvalho is a member of the American Academy of Periodontology, The American Academy of Implant Dentistry and The International College of Oral Implantology. Dr. Carvalho has been placing implants since 2004.
Dr. Carvalho’s other interests include traveling and spending time with her three children.
Maddie Donaldson
Luiza Portnoff
Dr. Luiza Portnoff is a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon who takes a patient-centered approach. With tailored treatment plans and the latest technology, she is committed to excellence in both surgical results and patient care.
She completed her dental school, and hospital based training in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Loma Linda University. She received extensive training in dental implants, bone grafting, head & neck pathology, anesthesia, dental extractions, facial reconstruction, and facial trauma. In practice, she offers out patients the full scope of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.
Dr. Portnoff enjoys spending her free time with her husband, Matthew, their daughter and their two dogs.