Meet The Doctors

Dr. Dean Azzeh is a board-certified orthodontist with more than 20 years of experience providing advanced orthodontic care to children, teenagers, and adults throughout Orange County, California. A Harvard-trained orthodontist with an extensive background in craniofacial growth and development, Dr. Azzeh combines advanced clinical training, scientific research, and decades of experience to provide highly individualized orthodontic care.

Harvard Orthodontic Training & Doctorate from Harvard Medical School

Dr. Azzeh completed an intensive four-year orthodontic training program at Harvard University, combining advanced specialty training in orthodontics with extensive scientific research.

While completing his orthodontic training, Dr. Azzeh pursued doctoral studies in Growth and Development and earned his Doctor of Medical Sciences (DMSc) degree from Harvard Medical School. His research focused on the biological mechanisms involved in craniofacial growth and development, providing a scientific foundation that continues to influence his approach to orthodontic diagnosis and treatment.

Upon graduation from Harvard, Dr. Azzeh received the James Shaw Award from Harvard School of Dental Medicine, one of the school’s most distinguished honors recognizing exceptional achievement in biomedical research.

William R. Proffit Resident Scholar Award

In 2007, Dr. Azzeh received international recognition from the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) when he was one of only three orthodontic residents worldwide selected in the Basic Science category of what is now known as the Dr. William R. Proffit Resident Scholar Award.

His award-winning Harvard research investigated the role of VEGF-A in cartilage formation, reflecting his longstanding interest in the biology of growth and development underlying orthodontic treatment.

The Resident Scholar program recognizes outstanding orthodontic research based on scientific originality, clinical or scientific relevance, research design, results, conclusions, and presentation.

Early Academic Achievement

Before Harvard, Dr. Azzeh earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from the University of Toronto. Demonstrating exceptional academic achievement early in his education, he was one of a select group of students admitted to dental school after completing only 20 months of undergraduate study.

Board-Certified Orthodontist

Dr. Azzeh is a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics (ABO). Board certification is a voluntary professional achievement beyond completion of an accredited orthodontic residency and requires successful completion of the American Board of Orthodontics certification process as well as continued maintenance of certification.

For patients and families choosing an orthodontist in Orange County, board certification provides an additional indication of Dr. Azzeh’s longstanding commitment to the standards of his specialty.

Research, Education & Leadership

Dr. Azzeh believes exceptional orthodontic care requires a lifelong commitment to education, research, and innovation. He has contributed to orthodontic research and publications since 2002 and has served in editorial roles for leading professional journals in orthodontics.

His connection to Harvard has continued beyond his postgraduate education, including service as an interviewer for Harvard College admissions.

Dr. Azzeh’s professional affiliations include:

• American Board of Orthodontics
• American Association of Orthodontists
• American Dental Association
• California Dental Association
• Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists
• Harvard Society for the Advancement of Orthodontics

More Than 20 Years of Orthodontic Experience

For more than two decades, Dr. Azzeh has treated children, teenagers, and adults with a wide range of orthodontic needs, from routine tooth alignment to complex bite and growth-related problems.

His approach combines extensive clinical experience with modern orthodontic technology, including advanced braces systems and clear aligner therapy. Dr. Azzeh has been recognized among the top 1% of aligner providers in North America, treating both teenagers and adults with clear aligners.

His treatment philosophy emphasizes careful diagnosis, individualized treatment planning, efficiency, patient comfort, and incorporating advances in orthodontics when they can improve treatment and the patient experience.

Orthodontic Care in Orange County

Dr. Azzeh provides orthodontic care through Family Orthodontics & Oral Surgery, serving patients from Tustin, Irvine, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, Santa Ana, and communities throughout Orange County, California.

Whether treating a child who may benefit from early orthodontic evaluation, a teenager beginning braces or clear aligner treatment, or an adult seeking a healthier and more confident smile, Dr. Azzeh’s goal is the same: to provide exceptional orthodontic care based on science, experience, precision, and individualized attention.

Dr. Nadia Hassan is a Southern California native who graduated from UCLA Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery program. Her career began with a biological science/neuroscience degree from the University of Southern California, where she graduated among the top of her class. She later decided to further her education by obtaining a dental degree from UCLA. While at the UCLA School of Dentistry, she received honors in several categories, as well as awards for clinical excellence and patient care. She once again graduated amongst the top of her class.

Dr. Hassan truly enjoyed the surgical aspect of dentistry while in dental school and decided to further her education in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at UCLA, which includes a Medical Degree from UCLA David Geffen Medical School, as well as an internship certificate in general surgery, training in temporomandibular joint disorders, maxillofacial trauma, benign tumor resection and reconstruction and dental reconstruction with dental implants and allogeneic bone grafting.

Dr. Hassan truly enjoys what she does and is committed to enhancing patient care by integrating her biological education, dental, and surgical skills. She hopes to pursue research in the future, but is dedicated to patient care as her first priority.
When not working, Dr. Hassan enjoys travelling, skiing, reading or just hanging out with her family and friends.