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MCHC Welcomes Dentist Dr. Caleb Pham
MCHC Health Centers is pleased to welcome Caleb Pham, DMD, who will provide dental care for children and adults at Little Lake Health Center in Willits.
The importance of dental care became clear to Dr. Pham during his childhood in Vietnam.
“As a child, I remember having a bad toothache. We couldn’t go to the dentist because my family couldn’t afford it,” he recalls. The experience was frustrating, but it helped him understand healthcare disparities at a very young age.
“This experience inspired me to seek a career in healthcare where I could help people facing similar barriers to care,” he says.
Pham and his family moved to the United States when he was 12 and settled in Houston, Texas. While studying biology at the University of Houston, he volunteered with the American Student Dental Association, providing dental services to underserved communities across the state. The long hours and remote locations were challenging but rewarding—cementing his decision to pursue a career in healthcare.
“I wanted a career where I could help people, especially those with limited access to care,” Pham says. “Dentistry allows me to combine my love for healthcare with the ability to work with my hands and build meaningful relationships with patients.”
Pham attended dental school at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California, where he fell in love with the state and the people. During his education, he completed externships with community health clinics across California, gaining valuable experience in patient-centered care. After dental school, he spent a year working in both private and corporate dental practices in Texas but quickly realized that his passion lay in community health. He is enthusiastic about returning to California and joining MCHC.
Pham appreciates MCHC’s mission of providing healthcare to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay or their insurance status, aligns with his personal values. “I’m excited for the opportunity to give back to the community and help improve health and well-being of the people who live here,” he says.
For Pham, the patient-doctor relationship is the most valuable part of dentistry. He starts each visit by walking in with a smile, then initiating a small conversation about something unrelated to teeth to help patients feel more relaxed.
MCHC Dental Director Dr. Neha Sharma says, “Dr. Pham is a great addition to our team. His positive attitude, empathetic nature, and professionalism are impressive. Our patients will be happy to have him as their provider.”
Dentists play a crucial role in the healthcare system, often seeing patients more frequently than primary care providers. Routine dental visits present opportunities to notice signs of other health conditions, such as oral cancer, hypertension, and diabetes. “Sometimes we are the first to notice these conditions, and we can then refer patients to other healthcare providers for further evaluation and care,” Pham explains.
He appreciates being part of a team that takes a comprehensive approach to patient care.
“I’m thrilled to collaborate with other providers to ensure that our patients receive the best possible care,” he says. Being able to work together across disciplines allows for a more holistic approach to health that aligns with his commitment to patient well-being.
Outside of work, Pham enjoys spending time with his partner and their dog, Happy. They are always on the lookout for new restaurants or boba spots. When he lived in Southern California, Pham spent a lot of time hiking and camping with friends, and he looks forward to continuing those activities in Ukiah. Having spent most of his life in big cities, he’s particularly eager to experience the slower pace of life in a small, charming city.
“It’s such a refreshing change,” he says. “I can’t wait to explore all that Ukiah has to offer!”
MCHC Health Centers includes Hillside Health Center and Dora Street Health Center in Ukiah, Little Lake Health Center in Willits, and Lakeview Health Center in Lakeport. It is a community-based and patient-directed organization that provides comprehensive primary healthcare services as well as supportive services such as education and translation that promote access to healthcare.