Meet the Doctor

About Dr. Bernard Baseri, DDS — A Story Built by Hands, Heart, and Craft

Long before dentistry became my profession, working with my hands was part of my everyday life. As a young boy, I spent a great deal of time around my father while he worked as a civil engineer. I was constantly exposed to tools, instruments, and the logic of how things are built. Watching him solve problems—measuring, adjusting, assembling, improving—shaped the way I learned to think. It made me curious, detail-oriented, and genuinely fascinated by mechanics: how small parts work together to create something strong, functional, and lasting.

At 14, that curiosity found a clear direction.

When I was preparing to have my wisdom teeth removed, I watched my dentist set up the surgical tray—carefully laying out each instrument with precision and purpose. In that moment, it clicked. The tools were different from what my father used, but the mindset felt familiar: planning, preparation, control, and craftsmanship. Dentistry suddenly felt like the perfect intersection of engineering, medicine, and artistry.

Not long after, I asked my dentist if I could shadow him, and he welcomed me into his office. That summer was formative. I didn’t just “observe”—I learned what it takes to run a clinical environment from the ground up. I helped with sterilization, organized operatories, assisted with room setup, and gained an early appreciation for what each instrument does and why every step matters. More importantly, I saw the human side of dentistry: the trust patients place in their doctor, and how a calm, capable team can completely change a person’s experience.

As I moved through college and toward dental school, I stayed deeply connected to dentistry—but I entered it through a path that most dentists don’t experience: the dental laboratory.

Before I ever attended dental school, I completed formal dental laboratory training and spent more than seven years working as a dental lab technician and ceramist. During that time, I had the privilege of being trained by Carlos Puga—recognized as a pioneer in porcelain veneer artistry. Under his mentorship, I developed the meticulous, detail-driven mindset that defines high-level cosmetic dentistry. He taught me what truly matters in aesthetic design: how subtle changes in shape, proportion, surface texture, translucency, and color layering determine whether a restoration simply “looks nice” or looks completely natural. That experience refined my eye for harmony and realism, and it continues to influence how I plan veneers, crowns, and full-smile transformations today.

I later completed my dental training at the USC School of Dentistry, and I’ve continued to pursue extensive advanced clinical education well beyond graduation. My training spans multiple disciplines—including dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, and orthodontics, with a strong emphasis on Invisalign—so I can confidently manage complex cases that require careful planning, sequencing, and high-level aesthetic judgment. This depth of training allows me to combine precision and artistry with modern techniques, giving patients treatment that is both comprehensive and meticulously executed.

When I became a dentist, I quickly realized that my background wasn’t just “unique”—it was a clinical advantage for my patients.

I don’t only see what needs to be done in the mouth from a diagnostic or procedural standpoint. I also see how the final restoration must be designed and built in the lab for the best possible result—whether that’s a veneer, crown, implant restoration, or full-mouth reconstruction. That dual perspective means my cases are planned with both aesthetics and function in mind from day one, and my communication with the lab is exceptionally precise. The outcome is dentistry that looks natural, feels right, and lasts.

To make high-quality care even more seamless, I built my practice around a simple principle: patients shouldn’t have to bounce between offices to receive excellent specialty care. Our office is designed as a true multi-specialty environment—welcoming, modern, and patient-centered—where key specialists work under one roof. With an in-house periodontist, endodontist, and oral surgeon, patients can receive coordinated care in a familiar setting without the stress of traveling to multiple locations or re-explaining their story at every step. That continuity creates comfort, builds trust, and leads to better experiences—and better outcomes.

While I’m proud of the technical side of what I do, what matters most to me is how patients feel in my care.
Over the years, I’ve become known for helping patients who carry real fear into the dental setting—especially those with severe dental phobia. Many people come to my practice after years of avoidance, past trauma, or simply a string of bad experiences. My approach is straightforward: listen carefully, move at the patient’s pace, explain clearly, and build trust step-by-step. Time and again, patients tell me they’re shocked by how comfortable they felt—sometimes for the first time in their lives at the dentist. Many of those patients refer their family and friends because they want the people they care about to experience that same sense of safety and relief.

I also have extensive experience caring for patients who have struggled with substance use and are now in recovery. These patients often come in feeling embarrassed, hopeless, or convinced their smile is beyond repair. The dental damage can be severe—broken teeth, decay, infection, tooth loss—and it can affect far more than appearance. It impacts health, confidence, relationships, and the ability to show up fully in life. Helping someone rebuild their oral health can be a turning point. I’ve had patients tell me they were able to interview for a job again without shame, speak confidently in public, and feel healthier because they were finally free of chronic infection and pain. Many stay in touch for years, reminding me that dentistry can truly change the direction of a person’s life.

That’s what drives me.

My story in dentistry is rooted in craftsmanship, guided by clinical excellence, and grounded in compassion. I believe patients deserve treatment that is technically meticulous, aesthetically exceptional, and delivered with real understanding. Whether someone is seeking a confident smile, complex restorative work, or simply a dental home where they feel safe, my goal is always the same: to help them move forward with comfort, clarity, and results they can be proud of.

For Dr. Baseri, one of the most rewarding parts of dentistry is making a meaningful difference for patients in a short amount of time. Sometimes, just a single appointment can relieve pain or dramatically boost someone’s confidence. While those immediate results are gratifying, his true focus is on creating lasting smiles and experiences that keep patients feeling comfortable and confident for years to come.

Where Did You Study Dentistry?

Before attending dental school, Dr. Baseri completed training as a dental lab technician, specifically as a master ceramist. He worked with Carlos Puga, one of the pioneers of porcelain jacket crowns in the United States. His background knowledge in the dental laboratory field gives Dr. Baseri a deeper level of understanding than the typical professional, allowing him to personalize the smallest details of a patient’s treatment so it’s ideally suited to them.

As a graduate of USC’s Ostrow School of Dentistry, Dr. Baseri has had extensive clinical experience providing full mouth rehabilitation, cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, teeth extractions, Invisalign, and treating geriatric, pediatric, and adult patients. Always striving to learn more and improve himself, he is also an active member of the American Dental Association and California Dental Association.

Outside of the Dental Office, What Do You Like to Do?

If he’s not taking care of patients, you’ll usually find Dr. Baseri enjoying the outdoors. He’s an avid swimmer and dedicated road cyclist/mountain biker. He loves traveling to different state and national parks, with Yellowstone being his favorite.