Dr. Alva grew up in the southwest suburbs of Chicago and grew up watching and playing sports. His time in Michigan began with four years of undergraduate studies in Biology at Andrews University in Berrien Springs. Dr. Alva met his wife in Loma Linda, California, where they both attended Loma Linda University. He studied dentistry and she received her masters degree in occupational therapy. After four years of dental school, they decided to begin their professional careers in Michigan, where they could both be close to family.
Dr. Alva’s Dental Philosophy
“I take my role as a doctor of dentistry seriously. I strive to find dental solutions for my patients that optimize outcomes for their teeth and overall health. I also understand that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ when it comes to applying dental treatments to teeth and that each tooth is unique.
“Dentistry has come a long way since the days of extracting all teeth of a young, healthy individual; even in the advent of implant dentistry, no dental treatment matches the strength of original, healthy tooth structure.
“Understanding the value of tooth structure and disease progression, I aim to educate and prevent dental disease and intervene with dental treatment to extend the longevity of teeth. The lives and mouths that await for my careful touch is what motivates me and inspires me to work hard for the health of the people that come in to see me.”
Dr. Alva decided to become a dentist because of his interest in the science of materials and living things. Combined with his commitment to precision, the flexible schedule that comes with the profession, and his desire to have an immediate impact on the lives of the people in my community, dentistry was a natural fit. He especially loves the immediacy of the change that you can effect in a person’s life.
Dr. Alva is especially interested in the advancements in restorative dentistry, particularly with the materials now available to dentists to make durable and long-lasting solutions for tooth decay.
A Life-Changing Moment
“A particular event that impacted me in my life before dental school happened while I was still an undergraduate student at Andrews university. The student pre-dental club had organized a trip to Phoenix, Arizona during our December break to volunteer at free dental clinic over two days.
“In the final hours of my second twelve-hour shift, I was called to translate for a lady who was in the process of having a tooth extracted. The dentist serving her could tell that she was in discomfort despite the anesthesia that had been administered. Wanting to ensure that he was not having her go through undue pain, I was tasked with talking to the patient to determine what exactly she was experiencing. Through choked sobs of agony, words of comfort, and another dose of anesthesia from the dentist, I experienced the drama of the moment.
“Seeing the fear and pain on her eyes connected me at once with what she was experiencing. As an interpreter, she turned to me to provide words of comfort and assurance that she would be alright. I could not help but feel a deep sense of sympathy for the suffering patient. Within minutes, the scene changed from one of tension to one of joyous relief — the patient who had formerly been seized with apprehension was now gushing with gratitude and smiles as the ordeal and pain had passed. The experience with this particular patient impacted me greatly, giving me a sense of the exhilaration one can experience while serving those with nowhere left to turn.”
Education, Memberships, and Professional Achievements
Schooling
- Loma Linda University School of Dentistry
- Andrews University
Undergraduate Memberships
- Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society
- Beta Beta Beta Honors Society
- J.N. Andrews Honors Society
- American Association of Cancer Research
Professional Achievements
Presented abstracts at the following:
- The 2018 Michigan Academy of Science, Arts, and Letters
- The 2018 American Association of Cancer Research
- The 2018 Andrews University Undergraduate Research Poster Symposium
Personal Life
Dr. Alva and his wife are a proud aunt and uncle to two nephews and one niece. They get to see them a few times a month and treasure the time they get to spend with them. In their free time, Dr. Alva and his wife enjoy attending live music and theater events, watching football (soccer), visiting family, and listening to podcasts together. Dr. Alva looks forward to exploring the bike trails and natural spaces in Portage once the weather warms up.
They’ve enjoyed how many restaurants and stores the Kalamazoo/Portage area has to offer. Additionally, they’re grateful that they have a larger city in Grand Rapids that they can visit or travel out of.