Meet the Team
Hygienists
Marcella Vitale is a top Hygienist. Italian blood runs deep inside her veins. With a strong mind and honesty she is one of the main pillars of our practice. Don’t be fooled by her young looks, she has been in the dental industry itself for over 15 years. She became a member of East Side Dental Medicine team in 2004. Prior to that in the year 2002 she earned her degree in applied sciences and dental hygiene at the New York University College of Dentistry. Soon after, she decided to further her education yet again and became certified in local infiltration anesthesia & nitrous oxide analgesia. Thanks to Dr. Srivastava’s and Dr. Castracane’s care for constant expansion of knowledge, Marcella continues to stay atop of the latest advances and newest techniques in oral health. Being a phenomenal Hygienist, she maintains patient periodontal health by providing the best possible care through gentle, yet comprehensive treatment and focuses on the patient’s well being. Her passion for educating patients and interacting with them on one-on-one basis gives an experience far beyond ordinary.
It is with great enthusiasm that we introduce our new Hygienist to the team, Yvonne Molinar. Yvonne comes to us from California with twelve years of experience and advanced degrees in dental hygiene and dental assisting. Not only does she perform excellent prophylactic care and bleaching services, she also provides our patients remarkable personalized education on preventative dental care, how to achieve superior oral hygiene and keep you there. Yvonne is consistently looking for ways to improve her skills and the patients’ experience.
Periodontist
Dr. Keith Saks has always been meticulous in his practicing of periodontics. He has been delivering dental care for nearly thirty years in a compassionate and gentle manner. He attended New York University College of Dentistry for his doctoral and post-graduate education. Dr. Saks was thrilled when the opportunity to work alongside his colleagues Drs. Srivastava and Castracane arose.
EastSide Dental Medicine recognizes that periodontal disease implants overall systemic health. An inflammatory condition such as periodontitis can predispose one to such ailments as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and rheumatoid arthritis. EastSide Dental Medicine's goal is to provide the highest quality of oral care and thus maintain the health and well being of our patients.
Dental Anesthesiologist
We are pleased to have Dr. Zad Khan join Dr. Robert Castracane and Dr. Jyoti Srivastava. Both Dr. Castracane and Dr. Khan will work closely with our patients requiring sedation for dental treatment and ease your mind in order to gain a healthy smile. We are very excited to have Dr. Khan and Dr. Castracane provide this benefit for our patients. Dr. Khan received his D.D.S. degree from The New York University College of Dentistry in 1988. After, he completed a one-year General Practice Residency in Dentistry at The Valley Medical center of Fresno and a two-year Residency in Anesthesiology at The Long Island Jewish Medical Center (LIJ) where he served over two thousand patients undergoing a variety of surgical procedures including peripheral nerve blocks, thoracic, vascular, abdominal, orthopedic, pediatric, obstetric, trauma, ambulatory and neurosurgery. Additionally, in the second year of LIJ, he served as senior resident who was responsible for the 24 hour in-house and the on-call rotations; this includes the supervision and training of junior medical anesthesia residents.
Dental Assistants
Born in Poland Jakub Skrzyniarz arrived to New York in 2001. Having to overcome the language barrier, he acclimated to the fast paced life at "The Big Apple" sooner than he imagined. An excellent student and a passionate athlete he excelled at anything he put his mind to. He embarked on his journey trough the world of Dentistry in 2005 and in the summer of 2011, in order to better himself, he took an opportunity to work with one of the best dentists in the field - he began working at East Side Dental Medicine. This is where under the careful care of Dr. Castracane and Dr. Srivastava he was able to further himself and became the head clinical assistant.
You won't meet a more naturally enthusiastic and congenial person than Richard Alvarado. As an assistant to Dr. Srivastava, Richard integrates his love of entertainment into his everyday work and injects humor into dentistry making patients feel naturally at ease. After completing a Bachelor of Business majoring in Marketing Communications at the University of Houston in 2008, he moved to the Big apple to pursue his love of dentistry and is currently completing science prerequisites to enter New York University's prestigious dental school. Through his extensive experience with EastSide Dental Medicine and his mentoring by the doctors, Richard sets a bright future as an aspiring Orthodontist as he is very passionate about his work with the movement of teeth and bone growth.
Kia Stewart , is a dental assistant to Dr. Srivastava. With over four years of experience in the field of dentistry her passion is for patient care and providing optimum results in the realm of health and beauty. She finds constant inspiration from Dr. Srivastava and as her mentor feeds her passion for advanced cosmetic dentistry. Kia hails from New Rochelle, New York.
Neetu Bagga , head dental assistant, hails from India where she earned her Bachelor of Dentistry in 1997 and practiced general dentistry before moving to the states upon marriage. Here she received her certifications as a Dental Assistant, both CDA and RDA. Neetu continues to deeper her formal training and knowledge of dentistry by regularly attending seminars and continuing education courses while preparing to do her Masters in Dentistry.
Financial and Treatment Coordinator
Jhoanny Duran is one of the nicest, most sincere people one can ever come across. Luckily she set down her roots at EastSide Dental Medicine. As Treatment Coordinator Jhoanny is in charge of treatment plan presentations with patients and making sure they receive the most exemplary care possible. Her dental experience and expertise makes it easier for patients to become familiar with their personalized treatment. Both, Dr. Srivastava and Dr. Castracane confide Jhoanny with utmost trust; they know she’ll make sure the patient feels as comfortable as possible throughout their visit.
Scheduling and Administrative Coordinator
Born in Puerto Rico, Luz Santini is proud to call New York her home, and the office of Dr. Srivastava and Dr. Castracane her second home. Luz has been in the broad world of dentistry since the year 2001. In 2007 she started her career as The Scheduling Coordinator at East Side Dental Medicine. A position which requires great responsibility but for which Luz knew she was made for. Her outstanding family values and understanding of time management made her a vital part of the team. Each day she ensures that every patient feels welcome and receives quality attention. Managing to keep a smooth atmosphere and maximum patient satisfaction, always with a genuine smile, she puts everyone at ease, including her four grandchildren: Ashley, Alissa, Jonathan and Matty.
Lab Technician
Kyawlin Chen, known affectionately as Joe, was born in Burma, the Republic of the Union of Myanmar. Joe finished dental school in 2005 and practiced general dentistry until 2008. Upon coming to New York in 2009, he graduated from the New York City College of Technology with a degree in Restorative Dentistry. Joe is a recognized graduate certified by the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology. Since his formal training in Dental Laboratory Technology, Joe continues to deepen his knowledge of dentistry by attending seminars and regularly taking continuing education courses. It shows in the detail and perfection of his work. In his spare time, Joe enjoys traveling, experiencing different cultures, and exploring new foods and global cuisines.
Marketing Coordinator and Patient Liaison
Born and bred in Australia Lauren Madsen , made the big move to New York City last year and has hit the ground running. As the Marketing Coordinator and Patient Liaison she is the first friendly face you will see as you walk into our breathtaking office. She manages our internal marketing efforts and will make sure your expectations are exceed ensuring your experience is as enjoyable as possible. After graduating with a Bachelor of Communication (Business) majoring in Marketing and Public Relations her passion lays in traveling the world and pursuing the American dream.
Business Manager