National City, CA Health and Fitness

Dr. Alexander Liu, an Ivy League–educated tooth tender with a background in oral surgery, helms the team of dental specialists at Otay Lakes Dental Group. The family-oriented office scouts mouths young and old for periodontal concerns and draws from a tool belt of advanced technological devices to boost smile health and aesthetics. The team uses digital x-rays to cut down on radiation exposure, intraoral cameras to diagnose hard-to-see issues, and electric hand pieces that remove decay faster than traditional methods or cease-and-desist notices. Dr. Liu offers options for dental concerns of all kinds, from teeth-whitening measures to root canals to dental implants, all of which occur in tidy treatment rooms.

By the age of 6, Dr. Dave knew he wanted to be a dentist when he grew up. The idea stuck, and today he stands at the helm of Coastal Dental Arts. True to its name, the practice has elevated dentistry to a near art form, lavishing patients with accoutrements such as flat-screen TVs and wireless headphones, and dentists set to work on teeth with high-tech tools. The practice uses Lava Chairside Oral Scanners to create 3-D mouth impressions, Invisalign orthodontics to straighten teeth sans metal brackets, and the Zoom! Teeth-whitening system to brighten smiles. Coastal Dental Arts prides itself on safety, which is why the practice is committed to following CAL-OSHA standards.

Working alongside Dr. Dave is Dr. Frank Mac, a member of the United States Navy Dental Corps. Although now stationed at Coastal Dental Arts, he still actively serves the Corps, tending to his duties as a staff oral surgeon at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot and traveling to the aid of any submarine that needs its teeth fixed.

Ruth Guymer, who has a background in general nursing, promotes healthy bodies from the inside out through a variety of detoxifying treatments that include colon hydrotherapy, raw-food coaching, and lymphatic-drainage massage. The Cleansing Center specializes in colon hydrotherapy, a treatment that Ruth believes can fight indigestion, weight problems, and the unhealthy appearance of skin or a third ear. Ruth's passion for raw food ties into The Cleansing Center's philosophy of improving digestive health, and she offers nutritional programs that incorporate plenty of nutrients and healthy enzymes.

The mission- and volunteer-driven clinic provides alternative, holistic health care to low-income and underserved communities at a complimentary or low rate. Its team dispenses naturopathic and chiropractic medicine from its office and at an array of outside events. For almost a decade, it's been the driving force behind the San Diego Healing Arts Festival, which in recent years has been visited by 30,000 guests. During Alternative Happy Hour events, healthy snacks fuel attendees who pay $10 to experience acupuncture, chiropractic treatments, massage, and energy healing, along with courses in yoga, drumming, and mild or spicy salsa dance. The clinic also donates services to organizations such as the YWCA women's shelter and the Wounded Warrior Project, which benefits veterans affected by injuries and psychological issues.

While headed toward medical school and training for two or three sports at a time, Trevor Isaacs discovered a love for helping others tune into their bodies and unlock hidden prowess. After completing his masters and being accepted to the medical program at the University of Connecticut-Storrs, he decided he had already discovered his passion and took the plunge into business instead, opening the proverbial doors of Excel Sport & Therapy.

Today, Trevor and his fellow trainers resculpt bodies in indoor and outdoor boot camps that occur all over the San Diego area. They utilize a technique called Dynamic Core Stability to coax the body into consuming calories and engaging difficult-to-reach muscle groups. When he’s not leading students through workouts, Trevor employs his anatomical expertise for the Army and Navy, developing and updating physiology-limit standards for females on submarines. He also volunteers his time at the local high school, aiding the football program with strength training by forcing them to pick up the Navy's submarines with their minds.

At Advanced Vision Care Optometry, Dr. Odish presides over a wide range of high-tech eye-assessing equipment. Digital retinal screening and computerized visual-acuity testing gives the doctor detailed views of ocular goings-on, allowing him to diagnose disease, prescribe lenses, or recommend a good pair of mustachioed disguise glasses.