Q&A with Dr. Steven Rifkin
Our Trusted Cosmetic Dentistry Neighbor
By Elizabeth Gregerson
Growing up watching your father, did you always want to become a dentist? Seeing my Dad transform lives through full-mouth reconstructions, reshaping smiles, and restoring confidence ignited my own passion for dentistry. It was then that I discovered my calling.
What unique insight or experience do you like to offer your patients at Rifkin and Raanan? I've been blessed to have been mentored by my father and uncle, pioneers in esthetic and reconstructive dentistry. My partner, Dr. Rodney Raanan, and I blend their expertise with cuttingedge technology to offer exceptional oral healthcare. Our shared goal at Rifkin Raanan is establishing trust and confidence through transparent, truthful doctor-patient relationships. It is rare to experience doctors who not only sincerely care about your well-being but also have the technology and skill to ensure you have the healthiest, most naturally beautiful smile possible.
How does your background in dental hygiene impact your work as a doctor? Dental hygiene is a field based on disease prevention, the foundations of which play a big role in the dentist I am today. Dental hygiene helped me understand that health and function come first. Think about building a beautiful new house on an unstable foundation. At some point, the house will simply collapse. The same goes for teeth. I don’t care how beautiful you can design a smile. If the gums are unhealthy, if the bite is off, if the bone is deteriorating, you have nothing. A stable foundation of health is a must.
What are the most meaningful moments you have had with your patients? Unfortunately, many of my patients come with past traumatic dental experiences from childhood, which have hardwired a deep fear of the dentist in them. It means the world to me when I can change their minds, showing them the care and effort we put into making their experience as painless and pleasant as possible. We have special techniques to alleviate any fears. Beyond our office's gorgeous views of Rodeo Drive and comforts like high-tech dental chairs with built-in massagers, Beats headphones, and stress balls, the relationship we cultivate with our patients truly eases their anxiety. When they realize how much we genuinely care about their wellbeing, it transforms their fear into something positive. They start to see a visit to the dentist in a new light, and their apprehension dissolves.
Do you have a favorite dental health tip you can share? The bacteria that causes cavities is transmissible. So don’t forget to floss . . . and be careful who you kiss.
STEVEN RIFKIN, DDS
BEVERLY HILLS COSMETIC DENTIST
414 N CAMDEN DR #1280, BEVERLY HILLS
(310) 205-5300