ABOUT US

Gallatin Dental Group has designed a practice with your comfort and convenience in mind. You Always Come First.

Meet Our Highly Skilled Team of Dentists

The Gallatin Dental Group Team values the highest standards of care and safety for all who visit us daily. We are committed to equity and inclusion for the people of Downey, CA, and beyond.

Request Appointment

Dr. John Bekeredjian

(Known as Dr. B)

Dental Director, Owner,

and Founder Gallatin Dental Group

Dr. John Bekeredjian is a graduate from Tufts University with over 30 years of dental experience in all aspects of dentistry. He keeps up to date with the latest dental practices by taking many continuing education courses and is also a member of CDA, ADA, and an implant study group.

He enjoys spending time with his three boys and his wife. He also enjoys the outdoors and follows the L.A. Kings.

Dr. Steve Aivazian

(Known as Dr. Steve)

General Dentist, Cosmetics, Owner and Founder Gallatin Dental Group

Dr. Steve Aivazian, graduated with his dental degree from Boston University and has since dedicated himself to defining dental excellence. To stay informed on the most current practices in dentistry, he has completed continuing education courses from Den-Mat on cosmetic lumineers and is a member of the California Dental Association, American Dental Association, and the Implant Study Group.

Dr. Steve also enjoys playing sports, especially golf.

Dr. Nareg Alexandrian

Orthodontist, Associate Member Gallatin Dental Group

Dr. Nareg Alexandrian completed his bachelor’s degree in biology at Bichat University in France and received his Dental Surgery degree from Saint-Joseph University in Beirut, Lebanon in 1996. After practicing general dentistry for two years, he was accepted in the orthodontic residency program at Tufts University in Boston. There he received extensive training on functional therapy approaches with highly sophisticated orthodontic appliances and early treatment modalities. In 2000, Dr. Alexandrian completed his master’s thesis on maxillary molar eruption and flexible lip bumpers at Tufts University in collaboration with Nijmegen University in Holland.

He then moved to California and started practicing Orthodontics.

Alexandrian is a member of the American Dental Association, California Dental Association and American Association of Orthodontists.

In his leisure, Dr. Alexandrian enjoys spending time with his three daughters. He is active in the community and enjoys teaching the art of sculpture.

Dr. Afshin Salamati, MS

Periodontologist, Associate Member Gallatin Dental Group

Dr. Salamati received his Doctor of Dental Surgery from UCLA. He then received his certificate of completion for the specialty program of Periodontics at UCLA.

Dr. Salamati is a member of the American Dental Association (ADA), California Dental Association (CDA), American Academy of Periodontology, The California Society of Periodontology, and the Western Society of Periodontology. Dr. Salamati has been a solid addition to our office. He is an excellent periodontist (gum specialist) with a great demeanor and professionalism. He enjoys the outdoors and spending time with his loved ones.

Dr. Michael Vert

Pediatric Dentist, Associate Member Gallatin Dental Group

Dr Vert is a pediatric dentist who specializes in children's dentistry. He received his bachelor's degree in biology from the University of California at Irvine in 1990. He then went on to the "prestigious" University of Southern California (USC) where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1994.

Dr. Vert was heavily involved in school organizations and activities. He served as the Senior Class President in 1993-1994 and the AADS Western US President in 1993-1994. Dr. Vert also received the highest award of his class, the "Behavior Award" for four years of outstanding humanistic qualities in his class of 1994 and the "Outstanding Service Award".

Dr. Vert decided to specialize in Pediatric Dentistry. He received his certificate in Pediatric Dentistry in 1996 from USC. Dr.Vert is specialized and trained to better deal with the needs of the "little ones". He is the "New Kid on the Block"and is fully committed to providing excellent dental care.

Dr. Vert is a member of the CDA, ADA, and the AAPD. Dr. Vert enjoys water-skiing, camping, playing the saxophone, writing, music and cinema.

A man with a beard is wearing a white shirt and tie.

Ben Ibarra

Office Manager

Ben Ibarra has been an integral part of the Gallatin team since 1998. Ben’s dental experience began at the early age of 16, which he applies to running the Gallatin Dental office today. Ben enjoys spending time with his son, daughters and wife, Diana. Ben spends his free time in the great outdoors and is an avid sports fan.

Dr. Ameet Chopra

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon Associate Member Gallatin

Dental Group

Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

Ameet Chopra is an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon specializing in tooth extractions, dental implants, anesthesia/sedation, corrective jaw surgery, and trauma surgery. He was born and raised in Southern California, and attended UC-Irvine for his undergraduate education.

After graduating with honors, he attended Pacific University Dental School, the only accelerated, three year program in the US. He then attended UCLA for an Oral & Maxillofacial surgery internship followed by completion of residency in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at Harbor- UCLA Medical Center. Dr. Chopra is married to Danielle, and has three children. In his free time Dr. Chopra enjoys spending time with his family and is an avid sports fan.

Dr. Ameet Chopra - Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

Dr. Susana Delafuente

General Dentistry, Associate Member Gallatin Dental

She graduated in 1986 from the University of the East, Manila in the Philippines with a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree. She took the Dental Board Examination and became a licensed to practice dentistry in California in 1992.

She’s been practicing dentistry for over 30 years and she enjoys helping all her patients. She takes numerous courses to stay up to date with the latest advancements in dentistry in order to provide the best treatment possible to all her patients.

In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and the outdoors. She also enjoys cooking.