Meet Dr. Rodriguez

MariaElena “Malena” Rodriguez, D.D.S. has been practicing Maxillofacial Prosthodontics in Torrance for nearly 20 years. Following her graduation from the UCLA School of Dentistry in 2000, she continued her training and specialized in Prosthodontics, Maxillofacial Prosthodontics and Geriatric Dentistry, all at UCLA. In 2014, after being in private practice for many years, she again expanded her specialization by completing the internationally respected Implant Dentistry fellowship at Loma Linda University – one of only two centers in the world that offer such in-depth dental implant training. This combined training and practical experience has made Dr. Rodriguez a highly skilled dental implant surgeon.

Deeply committed to education, Dr. Rodriguez spent 8 years on faculty at the UCLA School of Dentistry; continues to mentor students and young dentists, and frequently attends advanced dentistry courses all over the world. In addition, she is a member of the P.E.O. sisterhood, a U.S. based international women’s organization whose primary focus is providing educational opportunities for female students worldwide.

1993-1996 BA, Psychology – Loyola Marymount University

1996-2000 D.D.S. – University of California, Los Angeles

2000-2003 Certificate in Advanced Prosthodontics – University of California, Los Angeles

2000-2004 Faculty at University of California, Los Angeles – Clinical instructor, section of Removable Prosthodontics 2003-2004 Certificate in Maxillofacial Prosthodontics – University of California, Los Angeles

2003-2005 Geriatric Fellowship – University of California, Los Angeles

2004-2008 Faculty at University of California, Los Angeles – Clinical instructor for the Graduate Prosthodontics Residency Program

Faculty at University of California, Los Angeles Continuing Education – clinical instructor for registered dental assistants extended function

2004-Present Private Practice in Torrance, CA – South Bay Prosthodontics and PermaDent Dental Implant Center

2012 Kois Specialist Graduate

2012-2014 Fellow Certificate, Implant Surgery – Loma Linda University

2014-Present Director, PermaDent Dental Implant Center

2015-2017 President, California Section – American College of Prosthodontists

Professional Societies and Organizations:

American Dental Association

American College of Prosthodontists

Kois Center

Academy of Osseointegration

Western Dental Society

California Dental Association

P.E.O. Sisterhood

UCLA School of Dentistry Alumni Association