Meet Dr. Paul D Raskin, DDS

I was born into a family of talented artists. My father was a painter as was his father. My mother's drawings were stunning in their classical beauty. Where my inherited ability did not suffice, I practiced my drawing with a couple of pals all through junior high and high school, each challenging the other to improve each other's skills. The two friends went off to art school as I followed the medical side of my heritage and took pre-medical studies in college. Growing up in a family of many artistic medical professionals as well, including doctors, nurses and veterinarians convinced me I had better find a profession in one of the health sciences, and I chose dentistry for its potential to combine art and science.

I have found that the ability to draw has served me quite will in my life, beginning with the job my father got for me in the brick factory as a sixteen-year-old. One of his patients was the Union boss who hired the day-laborers who lifted the wet clay bricks off the extruder conveyor belt and stacked them on the narrow-gauge rail cars destined for the kiln. That I got selected by the Union boss over one of the usual workers caused a bit of animosity on the line. I took one of the wet bricks, coming out of the extruder and, using a matchstick, I scratched a caricature of one of the guys whose feathers had been ruffled, and gave it to him. Soon the others came for a personalized brick, as well, and I was in.

During dental school, I illustrated papers for faculty authors who needed clarification in what they were publishing, gaining me a popularity with them that translated into good grades, and a reputation for being good at making dentures.

When I decided to limit my practice to Removable Prosthetics (dentures), I found that a background in drawing faces gave me the foundation for seeing what needs changing and what does not, the "artist's eye", in preparing a denture smile that brings out the best in the faces of my subjects.

New Smile: New Life.

I have also filled the walls of our office with the art works, paintings, drawings and sculptures--look under Artworks on the homepage for examples that can be seen in our reception room, halls and treatment rooms--for examples.