At 26 years old, Dr. Riva recieved his graduate diploma in Orthodontics from the University of Toronto. He studied under Dr. Donald Woodside who is arguably the most accomplished orthodontic educator and researcher in Canada. As part of his graduate requirements he did a research thesis on, "The Relationship of Facial Soft-Tissue Structures in Parents and Their Offspring" using data from the world-renowned Burlington Growth Centre.

     Dr. Riva has made contributions to the profession of dentistry during his career. He developed the original Niagara Peninsula Dental Association Web Site and much of his creative content is still present in the web site today. For seven years he was the editor of the Niagara Peninsula Dental Association newsletter. He is a member in good standing of the Niagara Peninsula Dental Association, the Ontario Dental Association, the Canadian Dental Association, the Toronto Orthodontic Study Club, and the American Association of Orthodontists.

     Community involvement is also important to Dr. Riva. He sponsors many school activities and sports teams. In the last 15 years he has also coached young athletes in several sports. Presently he coaches travel soccer and basketball. While coaching he has won three provincial championships (2005, 2007 & 2009) in basketball and has taken a soccer team to the Elite level in the South Region Soccer League.

     Dr. Riva remains actively involved in golf, curling, skiing and yoga. He enjoys spending time with his family - especially on holidays to Walt Disney World. He was born and raised in St. Catharines, is married with three children and has been in orthodontic practice in St. Catharines since 1989.

Dr. Riva is a member of the: Ontario Dental Association