Our Team

Dr. Yelena Ostrovsky

From a young age, I was fascinated by medicine. As I was born in Ukraine, I was exposed to very primitive dentistry and became fascinated by the ability to help people regardless of the availability of technology. I realized the differences between the two countries–Ukraine and the United States–in 1991, when I became a dental assistant in a downtown office in San Francisco. I had wanted to experience the American way of dentistry and asked to be a volunteer at the dental office where I was a patient. To my delight, I was offered a job. The experience allowed me to observe doctors delivering cutting-edge dentistry with each individual patient in mind. I was privileged to observe the interaction and results of such doctor-patient relationships.

While working and studying, I passed a registered dental assistant license exam and was able to expand my duties and responsibilities, allowing me to observe day-to-day interactions. Through this and other experiences in various dental offices, I saw how important it was to treat a person as a whole and not just their tooth. My mentors taught me that behind each tooth is a living, breathing individual who has unique desires and fears. I also learned how compassion, integrity, and respect were vital to delivering excellent care. Today, I embrace this vision and philosophy in my practice: we are here to understand and present the best possible solutions without judgement or pretense, utilizing the cutting-edge technology that is integral to our practice. My team and I strive to provide an atmosphere of openness, honesty, and attention to your comfort and needs. We hope to give you a blueprint of possibilities based on your individual needs and to exceed your expectations.

It has been an amazing journey with much more ahead. I am grateful to my family, who support me daily, and I am proud to be part of the San Francisco community.

Tommy Lee, RDH

Tommy was born in Hong Kong and has been living in San Francisco since he was two years old. He went to the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni as an undergraduate, and worked in biotech for two years before entering a dental hygiene school. His uncle, who is the family dentist, was the one who encouraged Tommy, his wife, and his younger brother to enter the dental field. Now, Tommy loves working with people to promote their dental health.

Rita Sabini

Front Office Coordinator

Rita is the voice that greets you to our office and takes care of all your scheduling, insurance, and billing needs. She has been in the dental profession and supporting the front office area for many years. She was with her former employer, Dr. Caselli, for over 40 years, working at the front office and occasionally assisting him with dental procedures. She brought this experience and passion with her when she joined our team at Cable Car Dental. She is here to help you understand your dental treatment, navigate your dental insurance, and attain your optimal dental health. When she is not working, she loves doing crossword puzzles, traveling to far-off places, and reading murder mysteries.