Our Partnering Doctors
Dr. Delano Hankins, DDS
Dr. Hankins is a general dentist practicing in the Los Angeles area in the Culver City neighborhood.
“A common problem I see from patients is that around 75-80% do not floss on a regular basis and wonder why they have plaque buildup/ inflamed gums, or interproximal caries (cavities in between your teeth). Flossing is the only way we can clean in between our teeth. A lot of people confuse the waterpik for being able to do the job of flossing. I always express to my patients that the waterpik is good for cleaning buildup in the pockets of the gums, but still can’t take the place of flossing.”
Dr. Hankins’ Journey:
I have wanted to become a dentist ever since early adolescence. My mentor/ childhood dentist had a huge impact on my life. I loved the autonomy associated with dentistry and being able to work for yourself. This is why I started up my office, HD Dental Studios, from scratch.
Dr. Toni J. Oliver, DDS
Dr. Oliver is a general dentist practicing in the Torrance, California area.
“One important message I wish to express to all families is do not neglect your regular checkups or your home care. Correctly brush AND floss 2x daily. And visit your dentist twice a year for a cleaning. Both are crucial to excellent oral health and can help prevent dental issues!”
Dr. Lenise N. Yarber, BSDH, DDS, FACD, FICD
Dr. Lenise Barber, DDS, is a pediatric dentist located in the Ladera neighborhood of Los Angeles, California and Carson, California.
"Your oral health affects your overall health and quality of life, learning at an early age how to provide proper oral care and hygiene will improve your quality of life.”
Dr. Yarber’s Journey:
“My journey into dentistry was very non-traditional. I had my daughter my Junior year of high school and eventually dropped out of high school to work full time. I later returned to my education at Los Angeles Southwest Community College and received my high school equivalency and began what would be the most amazing next few years. I completed an AA Degree in Biology and transferred to the University of Southern California School of Dentistry (USC) where I completed a Baccalaureate Degree in Dental Hygiene in 2002. With a passion for oral health care I continued my education and received my Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree from USC in 2006. I taught at USC for several years and was inspired by a mentor and colleague to pursue advance training in Pediatrics. I completed an Advanced Pediatric Specialist Certification at Columbia University’s Harlem Hospital program in New York. Following the completion of the Harlem Hospital program I have been inspired as a Pediatric Specialist to continue to care for children in my community. I now have three private practices in the Los Angeles area where I provide care to children and adolescents age 0-19. I continue to be inspired daily by the children I care for in my practices and the communities I serve.”
Dr. Erik Ligans, DDS
Dr. Erik Ligans, DDS, is a skilled cosmetic and general dentist practicing at Playa District Dental, located in the Westchester neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. He considers it a distinct honor to help improve the smiles and oral health of individuals living in and around Culver City, Fox Hills, Playa Vista, Ladera Heights, and Inglewood.
"One important message I wish to express to all patients is dentistry doesn’t have to be a dreadful experience. Often times being proactive with your dental care prevents those certain things about the dentist that you hate."
Dr. Ryan Davis, DDS
Dr. Davis is from Los Angeles, California. Prior to his dental career, Dr. Davis was a D-1 football athlete that found a passion for dentistry while recovering from an ACL injury at UCLA. Through meeting mentors and networking he was able to solidify a career in dentistry. Dr. Davis graduated from University of California School of Dentistry in 2023 and went on to continue his education at Hawaii Island Community Health Center. With a heart dedicated to service, Dr. Davis practices at a community health center.
“Please Floss! As a dentist that loves my craft, I do not mind creating new smiles but I absolutely love to maintain natural smiles.”
Dr. Stephanie Vargas, DDS, MPH
Dr. Vargas is a pediatric dentist practicing throughout Southern California in Oxnard, San Dimas, and Ventura.
“One important message I wish to express to all families, is that children should not brush their own teeth unassisted until they are 8 years old or can tie their own shoes. For those more independent kiddos, I suggest negotiating - parents brush at night, so that kids can brush solo in the mornings!”
Dr. Maalik Konop DeFreitas, DDS
Dr. DeFreitas originates from St. Paul Minnesota and attended UCLA School of Dentistry. He currently practices in the South Central area of Los Angeles. Dr. DeFreitas completed a hospital based residency that specifically treats medically complex and neurodiverse patient populations often by way of IV sedation. Dr. DeFreitas attributes his dedication to dentistry to his ability to work towards mastering a hand skill throughout his career and creating a tangible product with that skill that patients can benefit from.
“One important message I want to convey is that at the dental office we do 5% of the work for you dental health. The other 95% is up to you and how you take care of your teeth at home!”
Dr. Damaris Arriola Zarate, DDS
Dr. Arriola Zarate is a general dentist treating both adult and children at a federally qualified health center near MacArthur Park in Los Angeles. She provides preventative care, dental exams, oral cancer screenings, deep cleanings, fillings, root canal treatments, and extractions. By doing these treatments, Dr. Arriola Zarate hopes to decrease the amount of adults and children experiencing dental pain, untreated caries, and unaddressed oral health diseases.
“Brushing twice a day and flossing once a day is so important; it prevents cavities and gum disease, which are two of the most common causes of tooth loss.”
Dr. Arriola Zarate’s journey:
“I was born in El Salvador and moved to Los Angeles at 15-years-old. In both locations, I faced many barriers accessing health services. My personal background combined with my research and community work experience shaped my desire to advance my education and became a community dentist who improves oral health outcomes and behaviors in undeserved communities. By promoting prevention, I decrease the incidence of oral diseases that are predominant in the community I serve, thus decreasing my patients’ likelihood to need expensive and invasive dental treatment in the future. Furthermore, I perform oral-cancer screenings, which are essential for early detection and treatment of oral cancer, decreasing oral cancer mortality rates”
Dr. William Shelton, DDS
Dr. Shelton is a cosmetic dentist practicing in New Orleans, Louisiana.
As the first person in my Family in healthcare, I became very passionate about oral health and how it affects us systematically. Being able to impact patients for the benefit of the overall health and not just cleaning teeth has been very rewarding.
“What happens Orally will affect you systematically!”
Dr. Stevan Dumas, DDS
Dr. Dumas has dedicated his career to providing outstanding dental care for patients in the Culver City are of Los Angeles. Dr. Dumas has never stopped learning and he encourages his patients and dental students to do the same.
“One important message I wish to express to all families is brush the teeth you wish to keep!”