Fariba Kalantari, DDS, Producer/Director
There was a time when several young children thought about becoming an astronaut when they would grow up, but not Fariba Kalantari, DDS. As a youngster, she looked like one . . . thanks to her childhood orthodontist. Chin strap. Shiny metal. The works. In spite of the additional social awkwardness the back-in-the-day contraption conveyed at that time in her life, Fariba enjoyed the visits to her orthodontist. When she was 9, Fariba discovered the neat-looking tools and gadgets and devices that surrounded her in his dental office. More importantly, she welcomed the gentle, kind approach he used to make her feel comfortable and the look of sheer joy in his eyes as he worked. It was a defining moment – Fariba decided to become a dentist.
Starting as the youngest student to graduate from Columbia University School of Dentistry in 1992, Fariba’s dental career has since been filled with learning experiences. She earned fellowships from the Academy of General Dentistry and the International Congress of Oral Implantology. But when asked about her proudest achievement, Fariba talks about a senior citizen who was a patient of hers years ago.
Josephine was a sweet-as-could-be 72-year-old woman with plenty of pep left in her step. She and Fariba quickly bonded during several dental visits. Several months later, Fariba noticed that Josephine failed to schedule her regular, like-clockwork cleaning appointment. Sadly, Fariba learned that Josephine had been in a coma for two months after a car accident. Happily, Josephine recovered, but her teeth were far less fortunate. She needed major reconstruction if she would ever smile again.
Fariba rearranged appointments as she could – working many nights and weekends – to carefully and meticulously fix each tooth in Josephine’s mouth that could be salvaged. Fariba salvaged every remaining tooth. However, Josephine had lost her entire upper bridge in the accident. She didn’t want a denture to replace it. Fariba tried to refer her to a well-known implantologist, but Josephine refused to see the specialist. Josephine insisted that Fariba do the implant. So Fariba devoted what little spare time she had, took all the necessary courses and became an implantologist. She then successfully performed the procedure and saved Josephine’s upper jaw – which had been her sole reason for learning implantology.
Today, Fariba lives in the greater Los Angeles area with her husband, Nick, and son, Arman. She finds that the serenity of sitting on a local sandy beach and looking out at the horizon is a perfect time for reflection, so she does this frequently. And she thinks about Josephine and all the other wonderful people who have touched her life, and in one form or another … have been her inspiration.
Education:
Columbia University 1992 Doctor of Dental Surgery
New York, New York
Columbia Presbyterian Hospital 1993 Post-Doctorate Residency (GPR)
New York, New York
Certificate and Licensure:
Licensed Dentist in California, New York, and New Jersey
Fellow, International Congress of Oral Implantology (FICOI) 2003
Fellow, Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD) 2004
Professional Affiliations:
Former Chair of Dental Forum, California Dental Association
President of the Los Angeles Dental Society
Past President of Iranian American Dental Association (IADA)
Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD)
Member of the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS)
Member of the American Dental Association (ADA)
Member of the California Dental Association (CDA)
Member of the Los Angeles Dental Society
Community Affiliations:
Executive Board member Hollywood Chamber of Commerce – Past Chair
Board Member of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
Co-chair of Health Care Committee, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
Member of Hollywood Arts Council
Continuing Education Highlights with Areas of Strong Training:
Misch International Implant Institute
Advanced Education in Dental Implants, Implants Prosthodontics, and Advanced Bone Grafting Oral Conscious Sedation (Sedation for Apprehensive Patients)
Endodontics for the 21st Century
Advanced Root Canal Techniques
Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies
Neuromuscular Occlusion
Cosmetic Dentistry
Full Mouth Reconstruction using Porcelain Laminates and Full Porcelain Crowns
Gingivectomy and Gingivoplasty as well as Hard Tissue Preps
Oral Surgery
Surgical extractions, Apicoectomies, Mandibular Tori Reduction, Removal of Exostosis, Alveoplasty, and Placement of Dental Implants
Orthodontics
Invisalign (invisible braces) and Six Months Smiles orthodontics system
Sleep Disorders
Treatment of Sleep Apnea with Oral appliances and Snore Guards
When you’re ready to change your smile and your life for the better, contact Fariba Kalantari, DDS, and Associates and her staff at Famous Hollywood Dental Care by calling 323.461.4676 or use our convenient Make an Appointment form. Let Dr. Kalantari and Associates help you with your dental needs. Call us from Los Feliz, CA, Studio City, CA, Larchmont, CA, Hollywood, CA and Beverly Hills, CA in Los Angeles County.
