We will feature a Belizean or Garifuna person monthly.  We want to showcase our talents and show our appreciation to them for their contribution to life.  The thought is that we will be inspired or our children will be inspired to aspire to greatness. The previous Personality of the Month can be found in the archives.

Dr. Goff is one of the few female African American dentists in Los Angeles. Dr Goff is Cosmetic and Dental Implant Dentist.  She graduated more than 15 years ago from the prestigious University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry with a DDS degree. She was compelled to apply to dental school after training as a dental assistant and hygenist for 5 years in Los Angeles and earning a BS degree in Biological Sciences.

Dr Goff was born in Belize. She and her six siblings migrated to the United States, the Los Angeles area, in 1972. Her journey to becoming a dentist is what some would say is unconventional.  After she graduated from high school in LA she did not know what she wanted to do.  She pursued a course in dental assistance at Bryman School in LA.  She pursued this career for five years then she decided to pursue studies at Cal State University Dominguez Hills to satisfy the requirements for dental hygienist.  Like most immigrants and minorities she supported herself while doing her undergrad.  She did well at Cal State and decided to apply to dental school and she attended University of California San Francisco (UCSF).  She graduated from UCSF in 1989 and was an associate dentist at a firm in Oakland for three years.

Dr. Goff Gives Back

Dr. Goff emigrated as a young girl to the US from her native Belize and 3 years after graduating UCSF she decided to return to Belize to give back, she worked as a dental health educator in elementary schools and ran a community dental clinic for children in Belize City. After years of hard work she was recognized by the government and became the first female Chief Dental Surgeon of Belize. Working for the Ministry of Health was an invaluable challenging experience. As Chief Dental Surgeon she worked tirelessly.  She honed her skills by performing emergency dental treatments at the Belize City Hospital.  She says
“I performed thousands of procedures including simple, complicated and third molar extractions, fixation of mandibular fractures and she also supervised other dentist’s procedures.  She returned to the US after 7 years.  She also makes the time to give back by participating in various medical voluntary trips to Belize.

Dr. Goff Cosmetic and Dental Implant Dentist

Dr. Yvonne Goff is a Master of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (MICOI). She one of the most experienced dental implant dentists in Los Angeles.

Her beautiful dental cosmetic work was chosen for 3 episodes of the hit makeover series " Ten Years Younger" on The Learning Channel (TLC). She can make your teeth up to 10 shades whiter with Zoom! Teeth Whitening or she can apply porcelain veneers on unattractive teeth for a beautiful smile makeover to help you look years younger too!

A beautiful smile is a great investment: we offer Dental Care Credit 0% interest payment plans as well as most dental insurance, credit cards, cash and checks.

Our high tech Santa Monica dental office is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, besides low radiation digital x-rays we are also able to make computerized Cerec dental crowns in just 1 hour, in 1 visit. 

Dr Goff is a gentle holistic dentist; Her relaxing dental office in Santa Monica has skyline views and comfy dental chairs. You can relax listening to an iPod or watch a video or catch 

Oral Implantologist

As of August, 2009 Dr. Goff is a Master of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (MICOI) formerly she was a Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (FICOI) and continually receives ongoing advanced training in implant surgery at the Loma Linda School of Dentistry.

Memberships:

American Dental Association
California Dental Association
American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
International Congress of Oral Implantologists
American Academy of Implant Dentists
Western Los Angeles Dental Society
Angel City Dental Society
Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce
Beverly Hills Academy of Dentistry
Academy of Computerized Dentistry

Education/Awards:

1984 - BS degree in Biological Sciences

1989 - DDS degree, UCSF, School of Dentistry

1992 - 1998 Chief Dental Surgeon, Belize
2000 - Alumnus of the Year 2000, UCSF Alumni Annual Scientific Session
2000 - Comprehensive Esthetic Professional Residency Program
2000 - Fellow of the International Congress of Oral Implantologist (FICOI)
2001 - Implant Maxi Course, Loma Linda School of Dentistry
2009 - Master of the International Congress of Oral Implantologist (MICOI)

Most of this information was taken from

Santa Monical Dental                                                                  Also, from Doctor-of-Dentistry-Magazine.pdf