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FILLING TIME: Dentists share their hobbies outside of the clinic
In the latest in our new series of interviews exploring what dentists and dental workers get up to in their spare time, DR JON MARASHI reveals his love of skateboarding and the links between his personal and professional work

Growing up, Jon Marashi wanted to do two things with his life – become a dentist or a skateboarder!
Fortunately,he got to do both.
He told Dentist Times: “The way the cards fell I got to be a professional dentist and an amateur skateboarder.
“It’s an interesting blend of the art and science because cosmetic dentistry is creative, and so is skateboarding, but also both require precision at the same time.
“I dig being the ‘Skateboarding Dentist’. It’s certainly not boring!”
He graduated from the prestigious Honors Aesthetic Dentistry programme at the New York University College of Dentistry, where he later returned as an instructor with Aesthetic Advantage, mentoring the next generation of dentists.
In addition to his clinical practice, Dr Marashi co-founded byte, an innovative oral healthcare brand that revolutionised the industry.
It’s an interesting blend of the art and science because cosmetic dentistry is creative,and so is skateboarding, but also both require precision at the same time
The groundbreaking company was acquired by Dentsply Sirona in 2020 for $1bn,further solidifying Dr Marashi’s legacy as a pioneer in dentistry.
Now working in California and widely known as ‘the Tom Ford of cosmetic dentistry’,he has helped some of Hollywood’s greatest names including Vin Diesel, Christina Aguilera, Pink, Ben Affleck, Cher, and Matt Damon to get red-carpet-ready smiles.
But he is just as well known for his work outside of the clinic.
When he’s not crafting the perfect smile, Dr Marashi can often be found cruising the streets of Los Angeles on his skateboard.
And it is here that he finds balance and relaxation, while exploring the city he calls home.
“You can be trying a skateboarding trick and you know you are not going to land the majority of the time and you are probably going to get hurt,” he said.
“That’s a life lesson – to get up and do it again and do it over and over and over until you can master it.”
Keen to give something back, Dr Marashi is currently a board member of The Skatepark Project, set up by skateboarding legend, Tony Hawk, to build skateparks in low-income communities.
“I felt what if there was an opportunity to help kids and skateboarding grow,” Dr Marashi said.
“By being in southern California I had the opportunity to cross paths with Tony Hawk and now I proudly serve on his board of directors.
“We help to build skateparks in under-served communities, do skatepark planning, and help supply equipment to provide a safe place and allow people to enjoy skateboarding.”
He concludes: “Being productive really boils down to knowing what your desired outcomes are, being able to effectively prioritise them, and then setting up an efficient plan of action in order to accomplish them, whether that is in the dental clinic or at the skateboarding park.
“A mentor of mine once told me that the definition of success is being able to dowhat you want, when you want, with whom you want.
“Those words really struck me as something powerful, and in my professional life, I get to do what I want. I get to practice cosmetic dentistry, giving people beautiful smiles and helping them gain confidence.
Being productive really boils down to knowing what your desired outcomes are, being able to effectively prioritise them, and then setting up an efficient plan of action in order to accomplish them, whether that is in the dental clinic or at the skateboarding park
“The success that I’ve had in my business also allows me to reap the benefits in my personal time, as well.
“I have the freedom to do what I want, when I want, and with whom I want. I spend my free time with my family and my friends doing things that are fun and enjoyable, and I’m very grateful for that.
“Skateboarding and cosmetic dentistry both carry an inherent art and science, and in my life they are inseparable.”