I got into dentistry because I, when I was a young kid, I didn’t really have access to the best of care. As I got older, I saw how important it was to do proper dental care and I wanted to be able to give my community those services. As a kid, I grew up playing baseball as an athlete, playing other sports, and I just knew I wanted to work with my hands.
I graduated really young, didn’t really have a clue of what I wanted to do after, so I tried a bunch of different fields that I could work with my hands and dentistry seemed to be the best one to fit me. It fit my schedule. It allowed me the free time and have a solid work schedule, regular hours.
The most rewarding aspect of what I do is changing people’s lives, allowing them the opportunity to enjoy some of the things that they were able to enjoy when they were younger. Restoring what they had at one point. Changing lives happens here in this area locally or it even happens outside of the United States.
I do a lot of charities to help the underserved populations, but here in Miami, we change people’s lives. I had a waiter that came in and he couldn’t smile. He was very ashamed.
Teeth were broken down. Now he grins from ear to ear, you know, and so what that does for someone’s confidence, that’s really life-changing.
Meet Dr. Ravi Ramjit
At Smile Institute Miami, Dr. Ravi S. Ramjit creates an atmosphere where patients feel welcome and leave satisfied. His practice embodies a blend of personal care, dedication, empathy, and cutting-edge dental techniques.
Dr. Ramjit’s educational journey includes a Bachelor of Science from the University of Miami and dental training at Howard University in Washington, D.C. During his time at Howard, he earned awards for excellence in removable prosthodontics, restorative dentistry, and community dentistry.
Born and raised in Miami-Dade, Dr. Ramjit has given back to his community through volunteer work at local hospitals. His commitment to service extends internationally, as he’s provided dental care for children with special needs in Kenya.
A member of the American Dental Association, Dr. Ramjit offers a wide range of dental services. These include tooth restorations (fillings, crowns, bridges, veneers), implant surgeries, root canal treatments, teeth whitening, extractions, and solutions for snoring and sleep issues.
Dr. Ramjit’s expertise has been recognized by Leading Physicians of the World, which named him a top dentist in South Florida. His passion for oral health and community well-being shines through in his work.
Meet Dr. Sanam Desai
Dr. Sanam Desai is a skilled and caring general dentist who brings a wealth of experience to his practice. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Georgia, earning a Bachelor of Science degree. His pursuit of dental expertise then led him to New York, where he obtained his doctorate from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine.
During his time at Columbia, Dr. Desai’s talent in esthetic dentistry was recognized with the prestigious Brasseler Award, presented by the clinical faculty. After graduating, he further honed his skills through a general practice residency at New York Medical College in Manhattan.
Dr. Desai spent several years practicing in New York before relocating to Miami with his spouse. Throughout his career, he has remained committed to advancing his professional knowledge. He regularly participates in continuing education courses, focusing on areas such as cosmetic dentistry, dental surgery, prosthodontics, and advanced treatment planning.
When not serving his patients, Dr. Desai enjoys an active lifestyle. He likes spending time outdoors, staying fit through exercise, and cherishing moments with his loved ones and friends.
I got into health care at a young age, so my mom was a physical therapist. Growing up, I spent a lot of time with her, just going to her office and just dealing with people. From having that experience at an early age, I knew I wanted to do something where I could also go into work every day and make a difference in people’s lives.
I shadowed a lot of different medical specialties and decided that dentistry was the thing that I liked to do because I always loved to work with my hands. In our office every day, we get people that come in with emergencies and things that they need help with, and we’re able to give them that help, and they leave in a better place than when they came in. We deal with, just last week, we had emergencies.
People come in in pain, and we’re able to get them out of pain. Or they come in with a chipped front tooth, and they have to go to a wedding next week, and we can fix that for them. And so they leave happy, and I take a lot of pride in making that positive difference in people’s lives.
Meet Dr. Albert Lucas, Jr.
Dr. Albert Lucas, Jr. graduated magna cum laude from Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine. He then graduated from the Nova Southeastern University orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics residency program.
Dr. Lucas loves being able to help his patients enjoy beautiful smiles through focused attention and high-quality care.
When he’s not improving smiles, Dr. Lucas spends as much time as he can with his family, friends, and miniature dachshund Ash. He also enjoys live music, cinema, tennis, and traveling.
Meet Dr. Brook Patterson
As a hands-on and social person, Dr. Brook Patterson pursued dentistry to use his technical skills and bond and form relationships with his patients. He graduated with his Bachelor’s of Science, magna cum laude, from the University of Central Florida and earned his Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry from the University of Louisville.
Dr. Patterson’s patients love him for being personable and genuine. They appreciate that he sees them more than just another number or customer, but rather a unique person with specific needs and dental history. He treats his patients as he would his own family. The best part of his day is interacting with everyone he treats and meeting new people.
Dr. Patterson is an active member of the American Dental Association and Florida Dental Association. He stays on top of the latest in dentistry to help people achieve their dental goals and gain a beautiful smile.
When Dr. Patterson isn’t treating patients, he’s usually on the water, either fishing or spending time with friends and his Bernedoodle, Ziggy.
