By Art Lauren, Staff Writer

Looking for the very best dentist in North County? Well, without question, he's right here at Lake San Marcos. Actually his full name is Emmanuel Dimitri Delagrammaticas. “Wow! That's too long a name, Especially to put on your license plate,” I laughingly chided him.

No wonder, then, why just about everyone I know simply calls him “Dr. Del.” Indeed, I suggested he incorporate his name into an advertisement proclaiming: “In Coronado, It's the hotel Del; In San Marcos, it's Dr. Del!”

Members of a Greek Church in Cardiff, Dr. Del and his wife, Angel, aptly named, live in a beautiful home, at Quails Ranch in Vista. They have two wonderful children; Dmitri (recently married, now living with his bride in Washington, D.C., and Rene, now attending Boston College in Cambridge, Mass., on a full scholarship. Incidentally, Rene is a fabulous softball player. I call her “shortstop” because she handles her infield skills so well.

But, now, more about her dad, Dr. Del: He graduated from the prestigious Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., at the very top of his class - Summa Cum Laude among all of his peer group! Then, he continued on his way to earn Doctorate Degrees in Dental Surgery, his chosen professional career.

Now, as a top-notch dentist, Dr. Del, D.D.S & F.A.G.D., Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry, intensively applies his unique, meticulous skills at his Lake San Marcos office, five days per week (excepting weekends and holidays, of course).

Dr. Del keeps up-to-the minute with elaborate, state-of-the art dental equipment. He employs the services of five dedicated inside staff members, plus outside skilled professional workers as well.

I hasten to add a remarkable coincidence as follows: my wife, Barbara, has a friendly neighbor whose mother is Greek, and she insisted on having a Greek dentist and only a Greek dentist perform her dental needs. Barbara naturally suggested her own Dr. Delagrammaticas, with the classic “Have I got the right guy for you!” The lady was delighted, of course. All went well. Kudos to Dr. Del!