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special feature ║ DELRAY DENTAL
The Gentle Dentists
DELRAY DENTAL By Diane Feen
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pHOTOs BY MELISSA KORMAN
There’s a lot of smiling going on at the Delray Dental office in Delray Beach.
The Bosses, no hair lots of teeth
But it’s not the new Trader Joe’s or the colorful shopping center nearby. It is a combination of happy patients and a staff that enjoys their work and sees the fruit of their labor. “I love my job,” said Luz Tamayo, “everyday is different and I like helping people look their best,” said the highly proficient dental assistant who rises to every challenge put in front of her. CJ, who has been with Delray Dental for eight years, also finds her work a source of pleasure. “I love seeing people happy with their beautiful smiles after work is done here. We meet the most interesting people and I love my work,” said the receptionist and assistant who makes appointments, helps file insurance claims and helps the dentists. If CJ’s smile is any indication of the work done at Delray Den62 March 2015 | www.AtlanticAveMagazine.com
tal you’re in good hands. Just ask Gary Rizzo. The kitchen and bath designer has been coming to Delray Dental for the past year and a half and couldn’t be happier. He comes for regular cleanings, has had crowns put in and bonding done on his teeth. And, how many times do you see someone leaving the dentist office with a smile on their face? “People notice the difference in my smile. My teeth are white and I really like both Dr. John and Dr. Ted. They have a great bedside manner and are kind and warm – and that helps when you’re going to the dentist,” said Rizzo. If you talk to Shirley Westby she will tell you that Delray Dental is a family affair. Her mom Eileen started coming 30 years ago and then
she followed. “I have cleanings here, root canals, caps and crowns. I like both dentists; they are gently, thorough and pleasant. My cap came loose on a trip once and they put it back. The doctor said it would last a week or a month but it has lasted 30 years,” said the Tropic Harbor resident whose husband James is also a patient. That’s another perk for patients of Delray Dental – they will take care of you in any emergency situation. “We excel at immediate relief of pain and if there’s an emergency we get you in the office as soon as possible. We had a patient whose veneer popped off and within 35 minutes we corrected her dental problem,” said Dr. John. Dr. John and Dr. Ted are known as the Ritota brothers. Their father Dr. John P. Ritota was a dentist for 57 years in New Jersey and their uncle Michael was a cardiologist for 63 years. The last piece to the familial pie is their mother Dolores who helped out in her husband’s dental practice in New Jersey and who now works at Delray Dental a few days a week. It is Delores who welcomes patients and answers the The REAL BOSS!