Community Medical Centers

Program Director

Oskar H. Peikar, D.D.S.

Dr. Oskar H. Peikar attended UC Berkeley where he obtained a bachelor’s degree, double majoring in sociocultural anthropology and analytic philosophy.  He completed dental school at the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC and General Practice Residency at Community Regional Medical Center. Dr. Peikar has served as faculty since 2022 and in 2023 accepted the position of Program Director. 

Faculty

James Chen, D.M.D.

Dr. James Chen graduated from Midwestern University's College of Dental Medicine-Arizona and completed a two-year General Practice Residency at Community Medical Center. He works in community health while serving as a board member for the Fresno Madera Dental Society, and Healing California, a nonprofit healthcare organization. As part-time faculty, Dr. Chen supervises residents in the dental clinic and operating room.

Ronald Sani, D.D.S., F.A.C.D.
Affiliate Staff, Community Medical Centers Chief of Dentistry
Dr. Ron Sani graduated from University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, and completed a GPR at the Valley Medical Center. He serves as Community Medical Centers’ Chief of Dental Services and Program Director of the Dental General Practice Residency (GPR), and oversees residents in the operating room.

He is actively involved with the Fresno-Madera Dental Society as a member of the Peer Review Committee. Dr. Sani is Chair of the Fresno City College Dental Hygiene Advisory Committee. He is a Fellow of the American College of Dentists.

Stanley R. Surabian, D.D.S., F.A.C.D., F.I.C.D.
Affiliate Staff
Dr. Stanley Surabian is a graduate of University of Southern California, School of Dentistry. He formerly served as Community Medical Centers' Chief of Dental Services and Program Director of the Dental General Practice Residency (GPR).

He is also a member of the hospital's Ethics Committee and Ambulatory Care Physician's Workgroup. Dr. Surabian is a board member on the Commission on Dental Accreditation, appointed by the American Dental Association, served as an Accreditation Site Visit Consultant and as a delegate to the American Dental Association House of Delegates.

He served as a trustee and delegate to the California Dental Association (CDA), chair of the Council on Dental Education and Professional Relations and chair of the CDA Task Forces on Licensure.

He is a past president of the Fresno-Madera Dental Society, and a fellow of the American College of Dentists, the American Association of Hospital Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the International College of Dentists. Dr. Surabian is a diplomate of the American Board of Special Care Dentistry in Hospital Dentistry.

Dr. Roger Khater, D.D.S.
Dr. Roger Khater completed his undergraduate studies at UC Davis where he received his bachelor’s degree in biology. He then went on to earn his dental degree at University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco. Dr. Khater also completed his general practice residency at Community Regional Medical Center where he treated many complex cases.
 
Currently, he oversees residents at the hospital as a part-time faculty member and works in a private practice in Fresno. Dr. Khater takes a special interest in the realm of cosmetic dentistry, improving patients' smiles and function.

His experience with CAD/CAM technology has enabled him to fabricate precision restorations. His skill set allows him to provide the most current and up-to-date treatment that focuses on addressing his patients' concerns through comprehensive care.

Roger Simonian, D.D.S., F.A.C.D.
Dr. Roger Simonian graduated from University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. He serves as part-time faculty, oversees residents at Community's Dental Clinic and directs the Skilled Nursing Facility program.

He is a fellow of The American College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Society. He maintains a private practice and is active as the legislative chair of the Fresno-Madera Dental Society. He is past president of the Fresno-Madera Dental Society.

He recently completed a term on the Commission on Dental Accreditation and is also the former president of the Dental Board of California. Previously, he was a member of the ADA Council on Dental Education and Licensure.

Rosaura Pacheco, D.D.S., F.A.C.D., F.I.C.D. – Pediatric Dentist
Dr. Rosaura Pacheco is a graduate of UCLA. She completed her GPR and served as chief resident at University Medical Center in 2002.

She completed her pediatric residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She currently practices pediatric dentistry in Fresno and serves as part-time faculty overseeing residents in the clinic and operating room.

She is a past president of the Fresno-Madera Dental Society. Dr. Pacheco is a diplomate of The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, a fellow of the American College of Dentists and a fellow of the International College of Dentists.

Mark Lowe, D.D.S. – Orthodontist
Dr. Mark Lowe graduated from the University of California, San Francisco Dental School as well as completing his orthodontic residency. He has been practicing for over 30 years and maintains a private practice in Fresno.
 
Dr. Lowe is an internationally recognized leader in the treatment planning and utilization of Clear Aligner Orthodontics. As part-time faculty, he directs the orthodontic didactic and clinical program in the GPR.

Tamara N. Shamlian, D.D.S. – Orthodontist
Dr. Tamara N. Shamlian is a board-certified orthodontist through the American Board of Orthodontics. She graduated from NYU College of Dentistry where she earned her DDS degree; and completed the UCSF Community Regional Medical Center GPR program in 2012. She earned her specialty certificate in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics and completed her master's degree in craniofacial biology from the University of Southern California Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry.
 
Dr. Shamlian pursues her passions for orthodontics and business ownership through her private practice, serving patients in the Central Valley.

VA Central California Health System

Mao Her-Flores, D.D.S. – Chief of Dental Service
Dr. Mao Her-Flores graduated from the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in 2000. She completed a two-year general practice residency at the University Medical Center, where she served as chief resident for the 2001-2002 academic year.

Dr. Aristides Tsikoudakis, DMD – VA Prosthodontist
Dr. Tsikoudakis completed a three-year accredited prosthodontic residency at UCSF and one-year accredited maxillofacial prosthodontic program at UCLA. He worked in private practice as a prosthodontist for nine years prior to joining the VA in 2015.