Dental Services
Services
Our Staff
Learn more about our Flushing dental office
Our expert team of dentists oversees a wide variety of specialized treatments
The Department of Dental Medicine at Flushing Hospital Medical Center works with dentists across most major specialty areas, giving you access to vast array of oral care procedures. Our talented team of faculty and staff members ensures that the treatment process is as streamlined as possible.
We also pride ourselves on being an active part of the local community. We offer complimentary dental screenings and education at schools and nursing homes. We also support “Give Kids a Smile Day” through the American Dental Association every February, where we give underserved children free dental care.
Bijan Anvar, D.D.S.
Chairman, Department of Dental Medicine
Dr. Anvar graduated from New York University Dental School with honors in oral and maxillofacial surgery. He then completed a one-year General Practice Residency at Flushing Hospital Medical Center. Since then, Dr. Anvar has held various titles at Flushing Hospital, culminating in his being named Chairman in September 2021.
Dr. Anvar is an active member in the tripartite American Dental Association and has held many different positions, including past president of the Queens County Dental Society and the Institute for Continuing Dental Education. He is a graduate of the ADA Institute for Diversity in Leadership program. He is an ADA Success Speaker and serves on the New York State Dental Associations IT Committee. He is the recipient of several awards and congressional proclamations.
His interests outside of his profession include spending time with his family, martial arts, mountain biking, and photography.
Mark Schaefer, D.D.S.
Program Director, Department of Dental Medicine
Dr. Mark Schaefer serves as Director in the Department of Dental Medicine. He graduated from Georgetown University School of Dentistry and then completed a General Practice Residency at Flushing Hospital Medical Center. He joined the staff as an attending physician in 1984 and has served in his current position for over 18 years.
Dr. Schaefer is a member of the tripartite and a fellow of the American College of Dentistry. In addition to attending to the needs of the dental residents, his responsibilities include the clinical operations of the Department. He has been practicing General Dentistry in his private office for over 39 years.
Eftihia Thomopoulos, D.D.S.
Clinical Director, Department of Dental Medicine
Dr. Thomopoulos graduated from New York University College of Dentistry and completed her general practice residency at Flushing Hospital. She joined us in 2016 as an attending physician and has taken a great interest in the program. She also volunteers at the Greater New York Dental Meeting and is a member of the Junior Woman’s Club of Bellerose and the Benevolent Society of Eleftheriani.
Dr. Thomopoulos is fluent in Greek. She is an amazing cook and enjoys spending time with her family
Our Dentists
Tony Chen, D.D.S.
General Dentist, Department of Dental Medicine
Born and bred in Queens, Dr. Chen attended New York University College of Dentistry and completed his residency training at Flushing Hospital Medical Center. He has been practicing general dentistry at Astoria Modern Family Dental for over ten years. Dr. Chen joined our staff in 2016 and enjoys teaching and sharing his knowledge with the residents. He is a member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentists, and the Queens County Dental Society.
Although he grew up in Queens, Dr. Chen is a big Yankees, Giants, and Knicks fan. He lives with his wife Tina and two sons in Westchester County.
Nicolae Veresmortean, D.D.S.
General Dentist, Department of Dental Medicine
Dr. Veresmortean received his D.D.S. from New York University College of Dentistry and went on to complete a two-year residency at Flushing Hospital. He enjoys teaching and working with the residents and maintains a private practice in Sunnyside. When he isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with his family and loves to go fishing.
Lee Schwartz, D.D.S
General Dentist, Department of Dental Medicine
Dr. Schwartz has been on staff since the mid-1980s and is a graduate of Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery. He maintains a private practice in Forest Hills and is in charge of our residency program’s study club. Outside of practicing dentistry, Dr. Schwartz loves spending time with his grandchildren.
Ilya Ames
General Dentist, Department of Dental Medicine
Dr. Ames is a graduate of the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine and is also residency-trained. He joined our staff in 2014 and is currently in private practice in Jackson Heights. Dr. Ames loves spending time with his wife and two children. He and his family are avid scuba divers.
Belen Velastegui, D.D.S.
General Dentist, Department of Dental Medicine
Dr. Belen Velastegui has been creating healthy and beautiful smiles since 2003 when she graduated from dental school in Ecuador. She was accepted to New York University College of Dentistry through their prestigious Advanced Standing Program for International Dentists. She graduated from NYU in 2016 and completed her residency at Flushing Hospital Medical Center in 2017, subsequently joining our staff.
Dr. Velastegui loves spending time with her husband and introducing her two sons to all the wonderful foods and cultures New York has to offer. She also loves playing with her two dogs, traveling, and relaxing at home with her family.
Paul Getreu, D.D.S.
General Dentist, Department of Dental Medicine
Dr. Getreu was born and raised in Brooklyn. After graduating Brooklyn College and teaching high school science, he graduated from the Dental School of the Autonomous University of Guadalajara, Mexico. Dr. Getreu graduated from the School of Dental and Oral Surgery at Columbia University in 1982. He completed a general practice residency at Bronx Lebanon Hospital and has been in private practice since 1983. He joined our staff in 2018.
Andrejs Krecko, D.D.S.
General Dentist, Department of Dental Medicine
Dr. Krecko graduated from Stony Brook Dental School in 1980 and completed his general practice residency at Flushing Hospital Medical Center in 1981. He joined our staff as a volunteer in 1983. He enjoys teaching our dental residents and maintains a private practice on Long Island.
Dr. Krecko has been married for 44 years and has two daughters. He is fluent in the Latvian language. In his spare time, he enjoys photography and gardening.
Rekha Gehani
Orthodontist, Department of Dental Medicine
Dr. Rekha Gehani is a graduate of New York University College of Dentistry and received her orthodontics degree from Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery. She has received numerous awards and citations and is a fellow of the American College of Dentists and International College of Dentists, as well as a member of the American Dental Association. She was also the chair of the New York State Board of Dentistry.
John Kong, D.D.S.
Periodontist, Department of Dental Medicine
Dr. Kong is a graduate of the Bronx High School of Science and finished his undergraduate education at Amherst College/Wesleyan University. He received his dental education from the Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine, where he graduated at the top of his class. He then completed a three-year post-graduate residency in periodontics and implantology at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Kong lives in Forest Hills and in his spare time enjoys spending time with his wife and son. His hobbies include music and cooking with tabasco sauce.
Prabha Krishnan, D.D.S
Periodontist, Department of Dental Medicine
Dr. Krishan is a periodontist in private practice in Forest Hills. She received her D.D.S. and specialty training at New York University’s College of Dentistry. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, an alumna of the American Dental Association Institute for Diversity in Leadership, and a fellow of the American College of Dentists and International College of Dentists. Dr. Krishnan has been on staff at Flushing Hospital’s Dental Department for over 25 years.
Lorder Huang, D.D.S.
Pedodontist, Department of Dental Medicine
Dr. Huang has been a member of Flushing Hospital’s dental staff since 2014. He maintains a private practice in Queens and is passionate about teaching residents. When he isn’t working, Dr. Lorder enjoys traveling and spending time with his family.
Yar Yin Lee, D.D.S.
Pedodontist, Department of Dental Medicine
Dr. Lee first joined our staff in 2006. She teaches residents at our clinic as well as in the operating room. She maintains a private practice in Queens and enjoys coming to Flushing Hospital to help train our residents.
Ana Hernandez
Pediatric Dentist, Department of Dental Medicine
Chad Gehani
Endodontist, Department of Dental Medicine
Dr. Gehani joined our staff in 2005. He was born in Kurla, Mumbai, educated in the Government Dental College Mumbai, and immigrated to the USA in 1975. As the previous President of the New York State Dental Association (NYSDA), he successfully preserved adult Dental Medicaid. He also served as President of the Queens County Dental Society and the American Dental Association. He is the recipient of many awards and commendations and is currently the executive director of the Queens County Dental Society.
Howard Chi, D.D.S.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Department of Dental Medicine
Dr. Chi immigrated to New York as a teenager and grew up in Queens. He received his D.D.S. from New York University College of Dentistry in the top 5% of his class and was elected as a member of the national dental honor society, Omicron Kappa Upsilon. Dr. Chi then began his residency as an oral and maxillofacial Surgeon at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center. Dr. Chi has been an attending physician at Flushing Hospital since 2012. He loves to travel, sightsee, and experience different cultures around the world.
Paul Chin-Fan Li, D.D.S., M.D.
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Department of Dental Medicine
Dr. Paul Chin-Fan Li received his D.D.S. degree from Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery in 2006. He furthered his education at Drexel University College of Medicine, receiving his M.D. in 2010. He joined the staff at Flushing Hospital in 2018 and assists with instructing our residents. Dr. Li completed his six years of intense oral and maxillofacial surgery specialty training at Hahnemann University Hospital and Saint Christopher’s Hospital for Children.
Our Staff
Narly Gutierrez
Office Manager
Nalini Mohammed Khan
Lead Dental Registrar
Nalini joined our team in 2012. She recently received her associates degree and loves to be challenged. She is our lead registrar and loves to help our patients. In her free time she loves to spend time with her family
Madeline Lichtman
Dental Assistant
Madeline is a certified dental assistant and has been a part of our team since 2016. She loves helping the doctors and our patients. She speaks fluent Spanish and in her free time loves spending time with her family.
Lisbeth Lafourie
Dental Assistant
Lisbeth joined our team in a few years ago and quickly become part of our Flushing Dental family. She enjoys being part of this great team and helping the doctors and the patients.
Zahra Ganee
Dental Assistant
Zahra is a certified dental assistant and has been a part of our team since 2017. You will see her working in different areas and she enjoys helping our patients and assisting our doctors.
Michelle Farrell
Dental Clerk, Dental Registrar
Susana Perez
Dental Clerk, Dental Registrar
Schedule an appointment at our Flushing dental office!
Our dentists are ready to oversee expert treatment you need for any condition or injury you may be suffering from. To schedule an appointment at our office, please call (718) 670-5521.
