Our amazing doctors were interviewed by a large local magazine called Voyage LA. Take a look at the interview and the candid honest responses from our amazing dentists here at Silicon Beach Dental.

 Today we’d like to introduce you to Dalit Yadegaran & Marlene Gadano. 

Hi Dalit Yadegaran & Marlene Gadano, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today? Dalit’s response: As a kid, I hated going to the dentist. I remember hating everything about it from the taste of dental products, to the cold atmosphere, and especially being told I had cavities each time I went, even though I brushed and flossed diligently. That frustration sparked a deep curiosity in me. Why was I still getting cavities despite doing everything “right”? I felt like I was judged by my dentist and he just saw me as a money sign to bring income into his business. I didn’t want anyone else to feel that way – judged and misunderstood during what should be a routine and educational health visit. 

That desire to change the dental experience is what drove me to work hard and ultimately get into dental school. After passing my boards, I pursued my passion within Cosmetic Dentistry. I enrolled in an intensive Comprehensive Esthetic and Restorative Residency, where in dentistry, every millimeter of the mouth matters. I have always wanted to set myself apart by using the highest quality materials and delivering work I am proud to put my name on. Every filling, every veneer I place, is a reflection of my standards. It is my signature. 

Today, at SiliconBeach.Dental, we have built a practice focused on creating a more comfortable, personalized experience. We don’t judge patients and we don’t treat them like cattle coming in and out of our door. Instead, we are committed towards treating each client like an individual. Every patient has their own story, and our treatments are customized to meet their unique needs. 

Now, as a first-time mom, my mission feels even more personal. I never want my daughter to grow up dreading the dentist the way I did. I want her to look forward to her visits, just like so many of my patients do today. 

Marlene’s response: I was raised in Southeast L.A. by young parents who sacrificed their opportunities for a higher education in order to work and support me. Growing up, I saw how they were able to turn their extenuating circumstances around through hard work, patience and resilience. I thus learned from a young age to appreciate the journey of growth and life, and to always see the value in the work that you do. I felt called to a career in health while I was at UCLA for my undergraduate studies, where I majored in Psychobiology. As I was exploring the different paths in healthcare, I happened upon a fun workshop by the pre-dental student club where we essentially sculpted colorful wax into the shape of teeth. As someone who loved to draw as a pastime, I realized that dentistry could be a very fulfilling career that was both science-based and artistic. My intrigue grew when I became involved in scientific research, particularly a project on TMJ disorders that I conducted while abroad in Beijing University, China. I continued on at UCLA for another four years for dental school, where I had the opportunity to learn about the true breadth of dentistry- from all of its specialties, to material sciences, to the oral-systemic health connection. 

Along this journey, I married my best friend and after dental school, we moved to the Central Coast of California so that we could experience a more nature-oriented lifestyle. There I was able to practice a broad scope of dentistry, from oral surgery, to cosmetics, to pediatrics, with an awesome team. Despite being out of school, I have Outside of work, I have stayed up to date by setting aside time to go to coffee shops or cozy up at home and read the latest dental articles and journals. I also invest in live in-person courses by renowned dentists so I can learn from the best. 

Now here at Silicon Beach Dental, I have been able to hone in on what I enjoy most in dentistry and serve in the area where my dental career began. Outside of work, my husband and I still try to spend time in nature by going to the beach with our dog Rusty, but we also love spending time with friends and family. 

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect? Dalit’s response: Becoming a dentist didn’t just happen with the snap of a finger. It took years of hard work, discipline, and sacrifice. Dentistry is one of the most rigorous and competitive graduate programs to get into. After earning my Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology from UCLA, I went on to complete another four years at Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine. 

I chose Western because their curriculum felt years ahead of its time. They emphasized modern, high-tech dentistry and used computer simulators to help us develop our hand skills before ever working on a real patient. That innovative approach really resonated with me. But the journey wasn’t easy. Eight years of intense schooling meant missing out on a lot of social events and life milestones. Still, I accepted those sacrifices because I was committed to chasing my dream and changing the typical dental experience. 

After graduating, another challenge emerged: finding a dental practice that aligned with my values and high standards. I worked in several offices before I finally found the right fit at SiliconBeach.Dental. Here, our philosophy is simple – we treat every client like family. We hold ourselves to the highest standards and work collaboratively as a team, with the shared goal of creating an empowering, convenient, and comfortable experience for our patients. Our office doesn’t look, smell, or sound like a traditional dental office, and that is intentional. We have reimagined what going to the dentist can look and feel like. 

Marlene’s response: Dentists are humans too! I went through a health journey when talking with my patients. I did not grow up with much oral health awareness and ate a very acidic and spicy diet, so when I started to finally feel and see the signs of chronic acid reflux, or “heartburn”, I realized that I needed to audit my daily habits to heal my stomach and protect my teeth. At first I felt embarrassed for not having realized what was going on for so many years, but now I see that experience as such a valuable lesson. Chronic stress and our modern diets have both contributed to many dental issues- erosion from acid reflux, wear from clenching and grinding, jaw pain… the list goes on. I have made it my goal to help my patients catch on to these issues before they cause permanent damage and empower them to combat it. Knowing what it’s like to have cavities filled, alter your lifestyle and wear a night guard due to TMJ issues helps me relate to my patients’ experience. Every dental journey is unique and personal- my goal is to make anyone in my dental chair feel safe and supported along the way. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work? Dalit’s response: My purpose every day is to create the opposite experience of what I had growing up at the dentist. I strive to help each client in my chair feel seen, understood, and genuinely cared for. One of my priorities is educating patients on why they may be getting cavities – even if they brush, floss, and don’t eat candy. Cavities can be linked to a variety of factors including diet, lifestyle, and your overall health. I review my patients’ medical and dental history prior to meeting them for the first time. This provides a starting point for me as I work like a detective to understand their personal ‘why’ factor. Certain medications can lead to more tooth grinding, while some medical conditions can put you at a higher risk for dry mouth, and in turn, this can lead to a higher chance of getting cavities because you have less saliva to act as a protective barrier around your teeth. 

Dental health can provide a window into your future whole-body health. For example, gum disease has been linked to Alzheimer’s Disease. Once we understand the root cause of cavities, I create a personalized treatment plan for my patients, to prevent future issues linked to their oral care and entire body. The mouth is the door to the rest of the body, and I want my patients to understand that connection to the fullest. Education is the foundation of that transformation. 

As i previously mentioned, my passion lies in minimally invasive Cosmetic Dentistry. I see each smile, each tooth, as a canvas where I can create harmonious, functional art. My eye for detail and design was shaped early on during the many hours I spent in my father’s textile warehouse, where I developed a deep appreciation for color, texture, and symmetry. I helped create a fashion line with my older brother during that time. With everything I do, I try to bring my creativity to the table. This includes teaching flower bouquet making workshops while i’m not at the office, hosting and setting tablescapes for holidays and celebrations, dressing my daughter, and even plating a meal for my husband. Dentistry allows me to connect my right creative brain with my problem-solving left brain. Today, that background fuels my love for enhancing smiles in a way that is both beautiful and natural. Dentistry is art, and I work every day to be the best artist I can be. 

I am known for my minimally invasive approach. Tooth structure is precious. Once it’s removed, it doesn’t grow back. That’s why I am committed to preserving as much natural tooth as possible. There is a misconception that veneers and crowns require teeth to be shaved down to nubs. With biomimetic and minimally invasive techniques which i practice by, that is not the case. My goal is to deliver results that are durable, beautiful, and enhance your natural tooth. 

What I am most proud of isn’t a procedure or a before-and-after photo, it is when my patients no longer get cavities. That kind of result comes from the time we invest together in prevention and education. Seeing my patients empowered and confident in their oral health routines is incredibly rewarding. 

And of course, one of the biggest compliments is when a patient refers their friend, co-worker, or family member to me. That trust means everything and it is a responsibility I never take lightly! 

Marlene’s response: What some patients don’t know is that as your dentist, I am not just interested in your teeth or how much you floss. UCLA trained me to be very thorough in my examinations, from checking for any swellings in the head and neck to asking about diet and medical conditions. Many patients see their dentists more often than they see their medical doctors. Common inflammatory conditions such as autoimmune diseases or high blood sugar also contribute to gum disease, which if uncontrolled can progress to bone loss or even tooth loss. And this relationship goes both ways, where chronic gum inflammation due to plaque buildup contributes to inflammation in the body. So while many of us grew up thinking that a dentist’s role is just to help us have lighter teeth and fix our cavities, the reality is that we have the opportunity to help patients improve their health outcomes and quality of life. I understand that not everyone feels comfortable opening up to their doctors, especially in a traditional clinical setting. At Silicon Beach Dental, with its fun, modern design and relaxing music, I see that patients feel more at ease and motivated to talk about their dental goals. 

I am able to spend time getting to know my patients from their very first appointment, create a game plan that they feel comfortable with, and see them progress over time in a positive direction. When a patient is looking to improve the esthetics of their smile, I am happy to offer them solutions that preserve as much of their tooth structure as possible so that they can smile more confidently while keeping their teeth strong. And while I do find so much joy in a good smile transformation, I feel the most fulfilled when I see that I have made a long-term difference in the way that someone feels in the dental chair and thinks about their oral health. 

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts. Dalit’s response: Sure! I believe risk-taking is essential for growth. It pushes you out of your comfort zone, challenges your limits, and opens the door to new opportunities. While it’s not always easy and things don’t always go as planned, every risk comes with a chance to learn something valuable. 

For me, taking risks has meant stepping into the unknown with a deep sense of purpose. Whether it was pursuing one of the most competitive careers, choosing to take rigorous and expensive continuing education courses, or navigating career moves to find the right practice that aligned with my values, it has all involved risk. Dental school teaches you the bare minimum about how to be a dentist. I continually invest in myself towards learning and growing more and more in an ever-evolving career and in a world where AI is integrating into our daily lives and careers 

I have come to see risk not as something to fear, but as something to respect. Even when outcomes aren’t perfect, the process always builds resilience, confidence, and clarity. Taking risks is how we grow and how we uncover what we are truly capable of. 

Marlene’s response: As with any profession, growing and putting yourself out there is not an easy process. The world of dentistry is both big and small, and has its fair share of legends and famous figures. Getting better at what you do requires connecting with others in your field, asking questions and being honest with yourself. Being stagnant and comfortable is an option in dentistry, but if your goal is to offer your patients the highest level of care you can never be either of those things. Dentistry is always advancing, which is why we are required to be lifelong learners. Applying new skills, connecting with specialists and tracking your progress are all aspects of growth that can be uncomfortable – all require you to be vulnerable and possibly get out of your routine. But as long as we are prioritizing our patients, this is what makes dentistry exciting. 

When connecting with dentists who are close to retirement, I find that the ones who are the happiest are the ones who make quality connections with their patients, maintain a positive outlook and who never stop learning. 

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