The Art & Heart of Dentistry with Dr. Dargham and Dr. Puentes

A practice where whole-body wellness, aesthetic excellence, and patient comfort all begin with a smile.

In a sunlit corner of Coconut Grove, where music drifts through stained-glass windows and patients are welcomed like old friends, Dr. Dargham has built more than a dental practice—she has cultivated a sanctuary of trust, artistry, and whole-body wellness. For her, dentistry has always been far more than perfecting a smile; it’s about restoring confidence, function, and the joy that comes from being truly seen and cared for.

From childhood, she knew she was destined for the healing professions, first imagining life as a surgeon, then a psychiatrist, and eventually discovering the calling that perfectly blended science, artistry, and human connection: dentistry. While studying at the University of Miami, a pre-med mentor encouraged her to shadow him. He happened to be a dentist. “I resisted at first,” she laughs, “but what I witnessed surprised me. He was practicing the art and science of dentistry, but also laughing with his patients—friends he’d known for years.”

Her formal training at the University of Florida College of Dentistry and later at the Miami Veterans Administration Hospital shaped her approach into one rooted in harmony—between health and beauty, science and creativity, patient and provider. “You can’t build a beautiful home on unstable ground,” she says. “A smile’s long-term beauty depends on a strong foundation of bone, soft tissue, and systemic health.”

Inside her practice, founded over 40 years ago and infused with a welcoming, music-filled atmosphere, patient comfort is paramount. Natural light pours in, rock and roll hums in the background, and patients choose their own soundtrack while settling into treatment with warm blankets, pillows, and the assurance of a team whose priority is calm, safety, and empowerment.

Alongside Dr. Dargham is associate dentist Dr. Puentes, whose global experience and patient-centered philosophy further enrich the practice. With a decade of clinical work across Spain, England, and the United States, she is known for her compassionate approach, meticulous attention to detail, and commitment to minimally invasive, evidence-based dentistry. Her expertise spans cosmetic and restorative care, prosthodontics, Invisalign, implant restorations, endodontics, minor oral surgery, and comprehensive treatment planning, supported by advanced education, DEA licensure, and CPR/BLS certification.

That level of care is echoed by the generations of families who remain loyal to Grove Smiles. One longtime patient shares: “Dr. Dargham and the entire team at Grove Smiles are an incredibly caring and professional group… They never let you walk out until you feel completely comfortable, and they genuinely welcome your feedback.”

While digital dentistry has transformed the craft with 3D scanning, CAD/CAM design, and seamless collaboration among specialists, she maintains respect for analog methods as essential to her artistic process. Yet the hands, eyes, and instincts of an experienced clinician remain irreplaceable.

“Technology evolves. Our philosophy will not. We’re here to help our patients achieve a smile they can be proud to wear” – says Dr. Dargham

Her impact also extends beyond the practice. Through volunteering with Operation Smile, she has seen how restoring oral health transforms far more than appearance—it gives people the ability to eat, speak, connect, and participate in life.

Among her most memorable patients is a man who arrived unable to smile and unable to maintain employment due to severe dental issues. Over years of care, his health stabilized and his confidence returned; today he is a thriving executive, husband, and father.

Looking to the future, she is energized by rapid technological advancements—even the possibility of tooth cloning on the horizon. Yet her core mission remains unchanged: “Technology evolves. Our philosophy will not. We’re here to help our patients achieve a smile they can be proud to wear—anywhere.”

After nearly half a century of serving the Miami community, Grove Smiles stands as a testament to what dentistry can be when science meets empathy, and when a smile is treated not only as an aesthetic feature, but as a window into whole-body health and human connection.

Grove Smiles Dentistry
Dr. Rita Dargham & Dr. Marta Puentes
2685 Bird Avenue, Miami, FL 33133
Phone: 305-858-0505
https://www.grove-smiles.com