About Fariba Kalantari, DDS
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.
