The Team Behind Your Care
At Advanced Root Canal Specialists, we believe exceptional endodontic care goes beyond technical treatment. It’s about how patients feel, how clearly we communicate, and how consistently we show up for both our patients and referring doctors.
We are equally committed to fostering a positive, supportive culture within our team because we believe the best patient experiences are created by people who feel valued, aligned, and take pride in the care they provide. Our purpose, mission, and values guide every interaction and reflect our commitment to delivering care that is precise, comfortable, and worthy of our patients’ trust.
Dov Elman, DDS, MMSC
Dr. Dov Elman was born and raised in Baltimore. He graduated magna cum laude with a Doctorate in Dental Surgery from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. Dr. Elman was selected for the elite Diamond Scholar program, enabling him to join the Advanced Education in Graduate Dentistry clinic for his senior year of dental school. Upon graduation, he received the Dean’s Award for Community Service as well as the Irving I. Abramson Award, which is presented to one graduating senior for outstanding skill in endodontic diagnosis and treatment.
Endodontic Training
Dr. Elman then pursued advanced training in endodontics at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, where he earned a Specialty Certificate in Endodontics as well as a Master's degree in Medical Science. During his residency, he completed an externship at Children’s Hospital of Boston, where he received extensive training in endodontics for the pediatric patient with a focus on regenerative endodontics. Dr. Elman currently serves as President of the Howard County Dental Association.
Diplomate Status
Dr. Elman is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics. To obtain board certification, he has completed an extensive set of examinations designed to test exceptional knowledge, skill, and expertise in the specialty of endodontics. Currently, only 24% of endodontists have attained diplomate status.
His warm and caring approach, coupled with expert endodontic treatment, provides each patient with a positive experience towards endodontic therapy. His treatment philosophy is to listen to his patients’ questions and concerns and ensure that they understand the course of treatment. Every treatment is tailored to the patients’ individual needs based on the most current scientific research and technology.
Personal Life
Dr. Elman and his wife, Nina, have four adorable children. He enjoys spending time with his family, snowboarding, and playing ice hockey.
Fazel Fakhari, DDS, MS, PhD
Dr. Fakhari received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with honors from Shiraz University in Iran, and his Master's and Ph.D. in Chemistry from Johns Hopkins University. Before coming to the United States, he spent nearly two years in Singapore conducting research and had the opportunity to explore several countries throughout East Asia. Pursuing his interest in patient care and oral health, he obtained his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry.
Dr. Fakhari won several awards, including the International Student Clinician Research Award and the Dean's Research Award. His passion for research led him to co-author a book chapter on antibacterial dental adhesives and composites. Beyond his clinical practice, Dr. Fakhari also dedicates his time to teaching post-graduate endodontic residents at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry.
Endodontic Training
Dr. Fakhari continued his advanced training in Endodontics at Temple University in Philadelphia, receiving extensive training in both complex surgical and non-surgical endodontic treatments. He has been practicing dentistry since 2018 and joined Advanced Root Canal Services in 2020.
Driven by a deep commitment to patient care, Dr. Fakhari finds particular satisfaction in relieving pain and resolving infection, often making it a priority to see emergency patients as soon as possible to begin their path to healing. He maintains open communication throughout every appointment, ensuring patients feel informed and comfortable from start to finish. He is also proud to work alongside a skilled and supportive team dedicated to delivering an exceptional experience for every patient.
Diplomate Status
Dr. Fakhari is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics. To obtain board certification, he has completed an extensive set of examinations designed to test exceptional knowledge, skill, and expertise in the specialty of endodontics. Currently, only 24% of endodontists have attained diplomate status.
Personal Life
Outside of the office, Dr. Fakhari relishes spending time with his wife, Mahsa, and their son and daughter. He is an avid soccer enthusiast, whether playing, watching, or finding any excuse to talk about the game.
Yaakov Barak, DDS, MS
Dr. Yaakov Barak graduated Summa Cum Laude from Touro College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. After earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, Dr. Barak furthered his training with a General Practice Residency at New York-Presbyterian Queens Hospital.
Endodontic Training
Following the completion of his advanced training, he practiced family dentistry in New York before focusing on his passion for endodontics. To that end, he completed a three-year residency in endodontics at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, serving as chief resident, while simultaneously earning his Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences.
Diplomate Status
Dr. Barak is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics, which means he is Board Certified in the specialty of endodontics. To obtain board certification, he has completed an extensive set of examinations designed to test exceptional knowledge, skill, and expertise in the specialty of endodontics. Currently, only 24% of endodontists have attained diplomate status.
Dr. Barak is an active member of the American Association of Endodontics, the American Dental Association, and the Maryland State Dental Association. Known for his calming demeanor, Dr. Barak uses the latest technology to provide the highest-caliber endodontic treatment while ensuring patient comfort.
Personal Life
Dr. Barak resides in Pikesville, Maryland, and enjoys traveling and spending quality time with his wife and five adorable children.
Richard Fein, DMD
Dr. Richard Fein brings decades of dedicated expertise to endodontic care, having pursued his undergraduate, dental, and endodontic education at the University of Pennsylvania. He has been in specialty practice in Columbia, Maryland, since 1993, inspired in part by a deep-rooted commitment to helping others, a calling that runs in the family, as his father was also a dentist.
Endodontic Training
Dr. Fein has been an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Maryland, Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, and is a past president of the Maryland Association of Endodontists. He currently serves as Treasurer for the Howard County Dental Association. He has been honored for the past five years as one of the top endodontists in Howard County, as selected by Baltimore Magazine. For Dr. Fein, the most rewarding part of his work is getting patients out of pain and exceeding their expectations of what a root canal can be.
Personal Life
Outside the office, Dr. Fein is an avid wine collector who enjoys hosting tasting dinners with friends who share his appreciation for fine wine. He also enjoys golf, reading, live music, exercise, and travel. He is a proud new grandfather to a 7-month-old granddaughter.
Ranya Eshera, DDS
Dr. Ranya Eshera was born and raised in Columbia, Maryland. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Maryland, School of Dentistry, and was selected as a member of the OKU Honors Society. She continued her education in advanced general dentistry at the Veterans Affairs in San Antonio, Texas.
Endodontic Training
After practicing as a general dentist for two years, Dr. Eshera pursued her passion for endodontics by continuing her education at the Dental College of Georgia, where she earned her Specialty Certificate in Endodontics. She began working in dentistry in 2015 and joined Advanced Root Canal Specialists in 2023.
Dr. Eshera loves being part of such a talented and genuine team at ARCS, where everyone shares a common goal of providing an excellent patient experience. She prioritizes providing her patients with the most comfortable experience while delivering the highest quality care. What drew her to endodontics specifically is the opportunity to relieve patients' pain through a specialized skill set.
Personal Life
Outside the office, Dr. Eshera is known for making elaborate homemade ice cream cakes. She also enjoys trying new foods, exploring new cities, and experimenting with new workouts. In her time off, she loves listening to educational podcasts and welcomes recommendations from others.
Dr. Ranya Eshera was born and raised in Columbia, Maryland. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Maryland, School of Dentistry, and was selected as a member of the OKU Honors Society. She continued her education in advanced general dentistry at the Veterans Affairs in San Antonio, Texas.
After practicing as a general dentist for two years, Dr. Eshera pursued her passion for endodontics by continuing her education at the Dental College of Georgia, where she earned her Specialty Certificate in Endodontics.
Dr. Eshera prioritizes providing her patients with the most comfortable experience while providing the highest quality care. In her personal life, Dr. Eshera enjoys spending time with family and friends, baking, and exploring new cities.
Zuwu Zhou, DDS, MS
Dr. Zhou earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from New York University and went on to complete his Endodontics Certificate and Master of Science at the University of Maryland. He has been practicing dentistry since 2013 and joined Advanced Root Canal Specialists in May 2026.
What drew Dr. Zhou to endodontics was the combination of diagnostic challenge, technical precision, and the immediate, meaningful impact treatment can have on a patient's life. He finds particular reward in saving natural teeth and relieving pain—both goals that align closely with the collaborative, patient-focused environment he values in his work at Advanced Root Canal Specialists.
Outside the office, Dr. Zhou enjoys exploring new restaurants and playing table tennis. When you visit our practice, you'll find Dr. Zhou's careful attention to detail and gentle approach help make even complex root canal procedures more comfortable than you thought possible.