Beyond The Smile Artist (2/4)
Wellington The Magazine: How did you cope when you first arrived in the states?
Dr. Jiveh: My first years in high school were during the time when the American hostages were taken in Iran (1979). As the expression goes, I went from the boiling water into sizzling oil! My brother was a popular football player at school, and I was well protected by him and his large offensive linesmen! My average in math was 100, as the education in math and science in Iran is very advanced. In my English literature class, it took an entire month and a book report to find out that I could speak only certain “colorful” words in English! The book report was on The Lord of the Rings. The teacher demoted me to ESL (English as a Second Language) class.
Wellington The Magazine: You and your wife Jhaleh believe in charity and act on that belief. What does your wife do. How does she participate in your charitable endeavors?
Dr. Jiveh: It took almost a year and a half after my wife and I met to have our “big fat Persian wedding.” She is Canadian, from Vancouver. I have yet to meet someone with a bigger heart! Besides all the good things that have happened to my life since meeting her, she is the inspiration and support for all of our charitable activities. She is a registered nurse, working in the neonatal department in St. Mary’s Medical Center.
Last year, she motivated me to visit an indigenous reservation in Costa Rica for a two-week service project. It was by far the most educational, difficult, grueling, yet best trip we have ever taken. If you ever want to get to know your spouse, be sure to take them to the top of a mountain in a rainforest, a two hours’ hike away from a store with bottled water or any evidence of civilization! The people in this village have absolutely nothing, yet they are the happiest people I have ever met.
Besides the kindness, love, humility and compassion that she brings to my life, Jhaleh is truly the life force and the motivation for all good things we try to do.
Wellington The Magazine: What are your academic credentials?
Dr. Jiveh: I completed my undergraduate studies in chemistry at the University of Florida… Sorry, I meant to say the 2006 NCAA basketball champion University of Florida Gators! From there, I moved to Richmond, Virginia, to attend dental school at MCV (the Medical College of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University), one of the top dental schools, especially its clinic. After graduating, I attended the University of California for two years at its AEGD (Advanced Education in General Dentistry) program in San Francisco. I gained so much experience — and about 10 pounds! I am proud to have completed the five years master’s level at Aesthetic Advantage in New York. Advances in dentistry are occurring so fast. Every month I take a continuing education course or some sort of seminar.
Wellington The Magazine: You are a funny guy. Do you use humor in your practice and your philanthropic work?
Dr. Jiveh: I really think that in any given arena, if you are happy, it’s contagious, and it’ll make things and people around you so much better. I absolutely love what I do and have a passion for cosmetic dentistry. My wife sometimes tells me that I’m the only person she knows who actually can’t wait to go to work in the morning! I have the pleasure of meeting different people in the community from all walks of life. Through the success of my practice, I have the opportunity to give back to my community. Giving back has always been a dream of mine. I think the greatest gift a person could have is the ability to make other people laugh and feel good.
Dr Farokh Jiveh - Providing services in cosmetic dentistry, smile makeovers and teeth whitening to the areas of West Palm Beach and Wellington, South Florida.
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