Meet Shant Aharonian of Smile Design Burbank

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shant Aharonian.

Hi Shant, 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?
My Armenian family immigrated to Los Angeles from Baghdad, Iraq when I was 10 years old. At a young age I saw my parents sacrifice everything they had to give me and my sister the opportunity of a great future. The challenges my family faced had a great impact in influencing my development. My education drove me towards dentistry because I naturally gravitated towards the sciences and loved working with my hands. However when choosing to pursue a career in dentistry, I had no idea that I would become so passionate about my craft. My journey led me to UCLA for my Bachelors degree in Psychobiology, then I attended the USC School of Dentistry for my DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) degree. In dental school my passion for dentistry really began to flourish. This passion continued to grow as I practiced dentistry and continued to advance my skills. I reached a point in my career where I knew exactly how I wanted to practice. At that point, I decided to build my start up practice – Smile Design Burbank. At Smile Design Burbank, I get to do what I love everyday; give patients their dream smiles by leveraging the latest and greatest technology in dentistry..

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My journey hasn’t been without its trials. In fact, every step has presented challenges, and it’s precisely these struggles that have made the path worthwhile. Most recently, I launched my practice in the midst of a pandemic, navigating significant uncertainty and anxiety common to a dental startup. But by focusing on one obstacle at a time, I was able to persevere. I’m profoundly grateful for every difficulty I’ve encountered, as each one has been an invaluable opportunity for growth.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Smile Design Burbank is a modern restorative and cosmetic dental practice, and truly a passion project. We handle everything from routine check-ups and cleanings to comprehensive smile makeovers with veneers. While dentistry is increasingly moving towards a corporate model, I’m particularly proud that we offer personalized care in a private practice setting. We also proactively use cutting-edge technology to deliver the best possible patient care with a minimally invasive approach.

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
My view is that risk-taking is an absolute must for success, but not without careful consideration. I believe the most impactful risks are those taken within our areas of expertise, where we have a solid foundation of understanding. For me, it’s crucial to fully grasp a situation before taking the plunge; my intuition has to align and “feel good” about the potential leap. While my journey has been marked by taking calculated risks at every step, the common thread has always been an unwavering belief in myself and the conviction that each risk, though challenging, was the right one to take.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.smiledesignburbank.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_shant/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088249045144
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Dr_Shant
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/smile-design-burbank-san-fernando-valley