Why She Was Nominated

Dr. Ritzau graduated from dental school summa cum laude, ranked No. 1 in her class. Since she started her practice in 2012, it has grown from just one employee to a busy team of 10. Her practice now serves multiple generations of San Clemente’s families, as well as military families connected with the nearby Marine base.

Biggest Challenge

Overcoming patients’ objections or skepticism when they’ve had poor dental experiences in the past. “Patients will not move forward with recommended treatment if they don’t trust the person giving them the recommendations,” Dr. Ritzau says. “My office environment is all about building that sense of trust and rapport between me, my team and the patients.”

Something People Don't Know

Dr. Ritzau was a three-sport varsity athlete in high school and a collegiate soccer player. She remains crazy about sports, especially running. And though she runs marathons, sometimes her workouts involve running with her 1-year-old daughter in a jogging stroller.