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As much as he’s known
for excellence in dentistry, Les Latner is
known for his love of football. While attending
UCLA in the early ’70s, he divided his
time between earning a master’s in kinesiology
and managing the school’s famed football
team. After graduating, he received his dental
degree from Washington University in St. Louis
but soon returned to his old stomping grounds
as the team dentist, helping the Bruin boys
with their oral injuries for many years. More
than 30 years later, he still can’t separate
himself from the action. Dr. Latner currently
keeps stats for the referees during games,
keeping as close to the field as he can—without
actually wearing a uniform and enduring bone-crunching
tackles.
 In addition to his pigskin endeavors, Dr. Latner completed a two-year
residency at Children’s
Hospital LA, and at USC in pediatric dentistry. But his true
passion lies in general dentistry. Dr. Latner is one of fewer than
10 dentists who’ve achieved both accreditation in the American
Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and mastership in the Academy of General
Dentistry. Also, he currently serves as a clinical assistant professor
at the UCLA School of Dentistry, lectures regularly on esthetic dentistry,
and has authored an article published in the Journal of the American
College of Dentists. Fittingly, the sports-loving dentist was officially
recognized by the Sports Dentistry Commission for the World Cup in
1994, and was a presenter at the 1986 Academy for Sports Dentistry
National Symposium.
When away from the office, Dr. Latner spends time with his beautiful
wife, Nora, and his black lab, Shaina, while missing his son who
attends Purdue University in Indiana. Whenever they can, they steal
away to the mountains for some rejuvenating snow skiing.
Dr. Latner is very active and firmly embedded in the professional
dental community. His affiliations include:
Click HERE to read Dr. Latner's Mission
Statement
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