About Westside Dental Associates

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 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 on the Board of Directors of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentisry, and is 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 Wheaton College in Massachusetts. 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:

• American Dental Association
• California Dental Association
• Western Los Angeles Dental Society
• Academy of General Dentistry: Fellowship in 1988; Mastership in 1997
• Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
• Academy of Sports Dentistry
• American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry: Accredited in 1992
• Los Angeles Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry: Founding member and president
• Southern California Society of Dentistry for Children: President, 1995-1996; Editor, 1992-1998
• California Society of Pediatric Dentists
• Clinical Research Associates (CRA): Evaluator
• School of Dentistry, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA): Lecturer, Section of Pediatric Dentistry
• Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee: Member, 1981-84 

 When you step into our Los Angeles, CA dental office, we want you to be totally calm, relaxed, and feel at home. At Westside Dental Associates, we have taken certain measures in order to provide you with the most comfortable surroundings possible. We do this by presenting you with a gentle, caring and knowledgeable staff. We also supply comfort amenities such as headphones, pillows and blankets so you can feel at home and at-ease in our Los Angeles office. We believe that if you are comfortable and relaxed, it can only enhance your dental experience.

Advanced Dental Technology

Dr. Latner believes that part of providing excellent dental care involves staying in tune with the latest technology, procedures, and clinical developments in the field. He pursues continuing education regularly and explores new technologies that will improve our patients' dental experience. You can also enjoy headphones, pillows, and/or a warm blanket to keep you comfortable and relaxed during dental treatment.

We have equipped our practice with the most state-of-the-art technological advancements and methods available on the market today, such as:

• Air Abrasion instead of the dental drill
• DIAGNOdent laser cavity detection

Smile Gallery

Browse the dentist's before and after gallery by selecting the procedure you'd like to view. Click on an image to view the entire gallery of success stories.

CrownsPorcelain VeneersZoom!® Teeth Whitening

Services

• Braces
• Bridges
• Brite Smile Teeth Whitening
• Cosmetic Gum Surgery
• Cosmetic Laser Dentistry
• Crowns
• da Vinci Veneers
• Dental Bonding
• Dental Caps
• Dental Fillings
• Dental Implants
• Dental Inlay
• Dental Onlay
• Dentures
• Invisalign
• Laser Dentistry
• Laser Teeth Whitening
• LUMINEERS by Cerinate
• Opalescence Teeth Whitening
• Pediatric Dentistry
• Porcelain Crown
• Porcelain Veneers
• Retainers
• Root Canals
• Smile Makeover
• Tooth Colored Fillings
• Tooth Contouring
• Tooth Extraction
• Wisdom Tooth Extraction
• Zoom Teeth Whitening

Patient Comments

I wanted to thank you for the whitening trays and gel I got from you. They have worked even better than I expected.

Your team is great, what can I say?keep up the great atmosphere and the great work.

We feel so special to have you as our doctor.

Everything was terrific as usual.

All the staff are friendly and courteous, always.

The office is always so well run that it gave me confidence the very first time I came in back in the early 1990s.

Everyone in the office is great. Thanks and keep up the good work.

I trusted Dr. G when he referred me to you when I moved out here to California. Your office and staff did not let me down. I appreciate the same service and concern he provided me. Keep up the good work!

I've been seeing Dr. Latner for about 20 years and have recommended him to everyone. I?ve had many dentists since I was a kid and Dr. Latner is by far the best. I?m not sure there could be a better dentist.

Everyone in your office is always wonderful.

Absolutely recommend friends and family. Terrific atmosphere, friendly staff and outstanding skill.

Everything is great. I enjoy the atmosphere of the office and everyone is really nice.

Your entire staff is superb.

I love Dr. Latner. He is the best dentist I have ever had. I have been going to him since I was 8 years old and 19 years later, he is still my favorite dentist in the whole world.

I have been coming to Dr. Latner since I was in high school and have never had one bad experience because you are a warm and welcoming office. Soon I will be bringing my daughter there for her first dental visit. It is always a pleasure seeing you all.

Everything was good. My teeth were cleaned properly and very professionally.

Everyone at your office is always courteous and professional. You are the best.

I am not sure what my hygienist's name was, but she was fabulous. She was not too preachy like my previous hygienist. She made me feel comfortable and I even called my mom to tell her that this was THE MOST WONDERFUL experience I had at the dentist. Prior to the last visit, I used to dread going to the dentist, Now, I do not have that problem anymore.

Staff is very efficient, competent, and friendly, Makes a dental visit easier.

Everyone in the office was great as usual.

I can't think of anything right now, just keep doing what you are doing as WDA is my dental family for over 21 years now! I will miss Randi when she leaves and I hope that Dr. Latner finds someone with the management qualities that she possesses. Thank for the survey.

I do enjoy and appreciate the new, more comfortable appliances and furnishings for the x-ray portion of my visit. I still remember the dark room from my first visits a long time ago. The team at Dr. Latner's office has always been wonderfully friendly and caring!

I really, really liked my hygienist Beth, she was very informative & it was honestly the best cleaning I?ve ever had.

I regularly refer others to Dr. Latner, I really appreciate how much care and attention everyone provides in the office.

Your office is awesome. I would certainly refer to you in the future, Really great. Everyone is professional. Keep up the great service.

I have kept my distance for many years, and have had a fear of sitting in that dental chair but your staff has made it very comfortable and my fear is slowly going away. I appreciate the extra steps you have taken with me. Now let's just pray that I keep up with it all so I have teeth to clean. Thanks again.

Your entire staff is excellent. Keep up the good work.

Your office is awesome. I would certainly refer to you in the future. Really great. Everyone is professional, kind, responsive?OVERLY considerate amazing.

Great new front desk person- didn?t get her name but she is very friendly.

Wonderful staff, always attentive and cheerful.

Both of the dental technicians who worked with me very excellent! And Dr. Latner is the best!

I appreciated non-judgmental sadness I felt that I've screwed up my own teeth. "All I want for Christmas is my two front (lower) teeth." Anyway, it was fun to see you all. Now how come I didn't know you had laughing gas? Probably better I didn't know. Knowing me, I'd come in more often. Would have been a good thing.