Union Square Dental Group

Dr. Growney is a native of San Francisco and established his dental offices in their present locations because of his love for the community. Whether you are a transplant or a local, Dr. Growney is happy to talk to you not only about your oral health, but our beautiful city as well, be it food, history, or sports! Winner of Best of the Bay 2009 and the 2011 Top Doc America – San Francisco Doctors and Dentists award, Dr. Growney is respected by patients and colleagues alike because of his commitment to the field of dentistry. He is a long-time member of the American Dental Association and also holds memberships in the California Dental Association, San Francisco Dental Society, American Academy of General Dentistry, and American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. He is well-versed in preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dentistry, and can provide patients with a comprehensive range of services to transform their smiles. Perhaps most importantly, he is dedicated to providing quality care that is effective and rewarding.

Dr. Jonathan Weng is a Board Certified Specialist in Periodontics and Implantology who has advanced training in periodontal therapy, cosmetic surgery, bone grafting procedures, and dental implant therapy.

Dr. Weng is a Bay Area native. He attended UCLA receiving a Bachelor of Science degree as well as his Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS). He then relocated to San Francisco where he received his Certificate in Periodontics and Master's Degree in Oral Biology from UCSF.

Dr. Weng believes in the importance of giving back to the community and consequently serves at Asian Health Services in Oakland. At the community clinic, he not only provides his expertise for the underserved but also teaches the residents and dental students. Dr. Weng also believes in the importance of working as part of a comprehensive dental team to meet patients' needs.

Outside of dentistry, he enjoys spending time with his wife and young children, Maddie and Nolan, and volunteering at various community organizations. He also loves rooting for the local and UCLA sports teams.

Dr. Weng is an active member of the American Academy of Periodontology, American Dental Association, Mid-Peninsula Dental Society, and the California Dental Association.

Dr. Scott grew up in Napa Valley and attended UC Santa Barbara where he earned a B.A. in Business/Economics. He then received his DDS from The University of The Pacific, where he graduated with honors and was inducted into the Tao Kappa Omega dental honor society. Following dental school, he completed a General Practice Residency (GPR) at Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, PA and was chosen as Chief Resident for his second year.

Since finishing his two years of residency, Dr. Scott has returned to the Bay Area and works in private practice providing comprehensive treatments including cosmetic restorations, endodontic therapy, implant placement and emergency dental care.

Dr. Daniel Nam graduated from UCLA with a BA in Piano performance in 1996 and then UOP School of Dentistry in 2002. Currently he has private practices in SF and Oakland. He is also the Director of Dental Services at the Berkeley Free Clinic where he has been serving homeless and low income families since 2003. Dr. Nam is Staff dentist at Alta Bates Medical Center- Summit and Ashby campuses working with the Emergency Department, ICU, oncology and rehab departments. He is also on the Clinical faculty at UOP School of Dentistry where he teaches on Monday evenings. Dr. Nam is committed to alleviating suffering from dental pain, trauma, and fear. He is a diehard fan of UCLA sports and enjoys playing tennis, golf and his piano in his spare time 

Dr. Curtis Contro was born and raised in the South Bay Area. He attended the University of California, Davis (UCD) where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. He went on to attend dental school at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). He fell in love with San Francisco and after graduating, Dr. Contro was blessed to pursue his dream career of becoming an orthodontist. He completed an additional three years of training at the University of California, San Francisco, (UCSF) specializing in Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. In addition to obtaining his specialty certification at UCSF, Dr. Contro obtained a Master’s Degree in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences and conducted cutting-edge, three-dimensional research on the temporomandibular joint. His research is published in the Asian Pacific Orthodontic Society Journal and won “Best Original Research Article” for the 2015-2016 year.

Dr. Contro is an active member of many dental organizations such as the ADA, CDA, SCCDS, PCSO, and AAO. He strives to provide the highest quality of care by using treatment modalities on the forefront of orthodontics such as Invisalign, self-ligating brackets, and temporary skeletal anchorage devices. He believes in early interceptive orthodontics that allows for growth modification and prevents the narrowing of treatment options for patients when they are older.

Dr. Contro is a firm believer in patient education and makes it one of his top priorities throughout the duration of treatment to teach and explain what he is doing. Much of orthodontics relies on the patient's cooperation to get to the ideal finish. A patient that understands the "why" is more likely to do the "what". He has spent many years before becoming an orthodontist tutoring and mentoring children and considers it a privilege to continue to do this through orthodontics.

Dr. Contro is married to his college sweetheart, Steph. They have two sons, Jackson and Conor. In his free time, Dr. Contro enjoys photography, reading, golf, and of course goofing around with his sons.

Dr. Patterson prides himself on his attention to detail and meticulous ability to determine the appropriate dental treatment for each individual who sits in his dental chair. What this means is that he will take the time necessary to develop, explain and discuss a personalized treatment plan for each and every one of his patients. He understands that while some people may have similar needs, each patient’s situation is unique and deserves every bit as much attention as the next.

In addition to his personalized touch with his patients, Dr. Patterson also understands the paramount importance of keeping up to date with the ever-changing field of dentistry and has dedicated himself to a life and career of learning.

Having been born and raised in the Bay Area and attended Saint Ignatius College Preparatory, Dr. Patterson saw San Francisco as the ideal city in which to begin his professional dental career. After completion of his studies at the University of Colorado at Boulder with emphases on Business Management and Biochemistry, he went on to receive his Doctor of Medical Dentistry degree from the Boston University School of Dental Medicine. Upon completing his General Practice Residency as Chief Dental Resident at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY, Dr. Patterson returned home to serve and be near the people and city he loves most. Dr. Patterson is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

As a true citizen of the City of San Francisco, Dr. Patterson enjoys staying fit, good food, Bay Area sports, music, travel and anything else worth talking about!

Dr. Baliwas is a general and cosmetic dentist located in San Francisco, California. Dr. Brian Baliwas' strong focus on dental education allows him and his patients to formulate treatment strategies together, providing the opportunity for them to be active participants in their dental care. His practice philosophy is centered on conservative, highly esthetic, comprehensive dentistry that utilizes modern technology and techniques.

Dr. Baliwas received his Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from UC Davis. He completed post-baccalaureate studies in Human Anatomy and Physiology at the University of Oregon, and went on to obtain his D.D.S. degree from the University of the Pacific (UOP) School of Dentistry in San Francisco, where he graduated with high honors and was elected to join both Omicron Kappa Upsilon and Tau Kappa Omega dental honor societies. He also received several awards for his outstanding clinical work in the areas of esthetic dentistry, oral implantology, restorative American-Academy-of-Cosmetic-Dentistrydentistry, and endodontics.

Professional Affiliations
As an active member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry, and several study clubs throughout the Bay Area, Dr. Baliwas continually surrounds himself with some of the best practitioners in his field. He aspires to continually learn and improve, traveling down the path of excellence in search for perfection in his craft. In addition, Dr. Baliwas also teaches part-time at the University of the Pacific dental school in the Department of Integrated Reconstructive Dental Sciences, where he inspires his students to maintain a high level of commitment, passion, and pride in their dental work.

Dr. Miller grew up not far from San Francisco, in Davis California, and is a graduate of UC Davis where he studied Managerial Economics and Psychology. After three years working in real estate finance he decided to pursue a career in dentistry and enrolled in the Pre-Health Professional Post-Baccalaureate program at the San Francisco State University before attending University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry. He was elected to the Tau Kappa Omega dental honor society, and additionally received multiple awards for his clinical excellence in oral implantology, and esthetic dentistry. Upon graduation, Dr. Miller was asked to return as an instructor in the Department of Integrated Reconstructive Dental Sciences where he still returns to teach weekly.

Dr. Miller prides himself on making time to give back to the community. He leads yearly trips to rural Mexico with LIGA Flying Doctors of Mercy, where his group of dentists travel alongside volunteer airline pilots to help the less fortunate people of San Blas, Sinaloa.

Dr. Miller is an active member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, American Dental Association, California Dental Association, San Francisco Dental Society, and the Academy of General Dentistry. When not in the clinic, Dr. Miller is exploring the City’s food scene or traveling to find new cuisines and restaurants. Be sure to ask him what should be next on your list!