Dr. Idalia Lastra graduated from Coral Gables High School in Florida and earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at the University of Miami in 1974. She then went on to the University of Alabama where she received her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree at the School of Dentistry in 1978 and stayed in Alabama training in the specialty of orthodontics. She is certified with the American Board of Orthodontics and currently serves in the following academic positions:
Dr. Lastra has maintained her private practice since 1980, and in addition, lectures and teaches on the subject of orthodontics. She is a member of several organizations, including the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, the American Association of Orthodontists and the Southern Association of Orthodontists. Dr. Lastra cannot imagine life without volunteerism, and to this end, served on the board of directors for the Archdiocesan Education Foundation from 1991 until its closing year in 2000. She currently serves on a variety of other community organizations, including the Kiwanis Club of Key Biscayne, the Serra Club of Miami, the Florida Dental Health Foundation, the Academic Association of Orthodontist Foundation and the American College of Dentist Geis Fellow.
On a personal note, one of Dr. Lastras biggest passions is her family. She and her husband, George Barket, married over 20 years, cherish their family time with parents, siblings, children, nieces and nephews, and ESPECIALLY their nine grandchildren. Dr. Lastra enjoys reading and spending time in their beautiful homes in Little Torch Key and North Carolina.
Dr. Alfonso, born and raised in Miami, is an American Board of Orthodontics certified orthodontist. She attended the University of Florida College of Dentistry where she became passionate about serving others through local and international service projects, served in a number of leadership positions, and was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon honor society. She graduated in 2016 from the University of Florida Orthodontics Residency, during which she served as the Chief Resident and won the AAO Charley Schultz Resident Scholar Award for her Masters thesis evaluating accelerated orthodontic tooth movement using aligners.
Dr. Alfonso is trained in a variety of orthodontic techniques and values quality treatment and putting patients interests first. She is committed to serving our profession and is currently the Young Member Representative for the SFDDA, a delegate to the FDA House of Delegates, and on the FDA Council on Benefits and Care. She also serves the local community as a member of the Junior League of Miami. She and her husband, Eddy, have a daughter named Bella and a shih tzu- maltese dog named Hawley.
I first got my braces in 1980, and I loved my new smile so much that I came to work with Dr. Lastra in 1981. Over the years, I have met many wonderful patients, and now we are seeing the children of some of those patients. It has been so much fun to be in one place for so long and see the changes in the lives of these people and their families. At work, I keep myself busy by making sure our bills are up-to-date and that your insurance claims are filed and filled. I also try to make sure we have the office supplies we need to run the business part of the office. When I am not at work, I like going for walks, reading, Facebook and being with my friends and family. I am also kept busy with my cats, which are my children.
My name is Albania, but they call me Alba. I have been working here since 1988 as a Lab Technician. I make your models when you first start your treatment, and I sometimes make your retainers when you finish your treatment. Since I am always back in our lab, you might not see me often. My daughter, Veronica, was only three years old when I started working here, and she has already graduated from college. She has grown up in our office and is our pride and joy. I love working with my hands and am a talented seamstress. I also love decorating.
I came to the United States in 2000 and have been working for Dr. Lastra since January 2001. I love my work as an Orthodontic Assistant because I enjoy working with the kids. My husband, Ivan, and I have a daughter who is the joy of our lives. We share very special times together. We also have a dog named Barbie. I enjoy exercising, traveling and playing tricks on the rest of the staff.
I used to work for many years as a flight attendant. I started working for Dr. Lastra in June 2005. I am the Treatment Coordinator. I get to see all of our new patients. Part of my job is to help explain your treatment, the fees and payment schedules; take X-Rays, impressions and photos; and make up the files for all of our new patients. I also take the final records, so I get to see everyone from the beginning to the end of their treatment. I like my workplace and co-workers, especially Dory, my daughter. When I am not at work, I like watching movies, dancing and having a good time with my friends and family. I love animals, nature, kids and being with my family, especially my granddaughter.
I started working with Dr. Lastra in the summer of 2016. However, I was a patient of hers about 10 years ago. At the office, I help sterilize instruments, assist chairside, make sure we have the supplies necessary, and help at the front desk. I help out wherever I can. I graduated with my bachelors from FIU with a major in psychology and minor in biology. I am currently enrolled in the FIU Masters of Public Health program, where I am majoring in epidemiology. I plan to apply to dental school when I graduate, and follow in Dr. Lastras footsteps and become an amazing doctor. On my free time I like to read, go out on the boat, play with the many animals on my farm, and just have a good time with family and friends.
I was born and studied dentistry in Columbia. My husband and I moved to Puerto Rico in 2011, where we had our daughter, Maria Jose. We, then, moved to Miami in 2013. I am now a certified expanded duties dental assistant, and work as a chairside orthodontic assistant with Dr. Lastra. At the office I help the doctors with many tasks, from sterilizing instruments to bonding braces and retainers to scanning with our iTero machine. On my free time I love riding bike, running, and spending quality time with my husband and daughter.
