Every day I try my best to show how much I love doing what I do. I cant imagine, as a pediatric dentist, doing anything different. I am professional and very serious about my work, but my heart is full of emotion for the children and families I get to help. I address each persons situation as if he or shewere my closest friend, or my own child.
My passion is being able to help patients who have visited multiple dental offices in the past without getting the treatment they need. To transform a childs fear into happiness and to take himor herfrom an unhealthy mouth to optimal oral health and a beautiful smile is the most fulfilling process!
My fellow doctors and our team members are passionate about helping kids as ifthey were their own. They are compassionate and empathetic, and they love joking and laughing with children:enjoying each childs stories and the energetic way they see life!
Like all medical fields, pediatric dentistry is constantly evolving, often at a breathtaking speed. New techniques, technologies, and materials are being developed, researched, and made available to practitioners. Its my responsibility to stay current on these changes, and carefully evaluatewhat they offer todetermine whetherthey will improve the care I provide patients.
Each year I complete a range of postgraduate courses approved by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. I also attend meetings, lectures, and seminars, and read all relevant publications to stay uptodate on research findings and discussions.
After growing up in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, I came to the U.S. for my dental residencies and moved to Orlando after those were completed. My husband and I have two young children, a daughter and a son, and a sweet Yorkie, too.
My free time is centered on my family. I love taking my children to do fun things, and love being a bit of a teacher for them at home. Im an avid traveler and enjoy learning about different cultures and history. I also love exercising and enjoy photography.
I love how, as a pediatric dentist, Im able to help children and families who have felt helpless. Whether Im caring for a specialneeds patient, a child with severe dental anxiety, or a little one who refuses to stop sucking athumb, I make a difference!
Working with children, pre-teens, and teensas well as individuals with special needsmeans every day is filled with new experiences. Each patient deserves a unique care approach, and that requires us to be creative as we strive to keep everyonesmiling while theyrehere. I love the excitement on a childs face as he or shelearn ours is a fun, safe place to visit; and I love watching them grow into responsible adults who areenthusiastic about caring for their smile!
Our team is truly remarkable. We all value family and we all love kids. Although we take what we do seriously, we also believe in having fun while we work and keeping our environment upbeat and cheerful. In fact, youll often hear our team include the doctors singing along with the movies we have playing in the office!
I am committed to furthering my education constantly, strengthening my skills, and expanding the care I provide. Ive completed postgraduate coursework in sedation dentistry, aesthetic crowns, and preventive dentistry.
Sedation dentistry is essential because not every child can put on a brave face during a visit. Sedation adds a little help in the bravery department and keeps them calm and comfortable. With aesthetic crowns, Im able to create and place restorations that look virtually identical to original teeth, so the patient doesnt feel self-conscious.
Of course, preventing problems from starting, and keeping little issues from becoming big ones, is essential. Through a range of preventive care, and educating patients and parents, I help prevent future problems.
Born in New York, I was raised in South Florida and now live in Orlando. My husband Reggie and I have three children: Samaya, Avery, and Anderson. The kids are involved in many local sports, including gymnastics, football, baseball, and tennis. Yes, were kept busy getting them to practices and games!
I love playing tennismyself, and am often found at USTA in Lake Nona. I also enjoy volunteering with elementary and middle schools in the community. Our schools always need people to support the educators and students. I love seeing and interacting with my patients outside of the office. These interactions foster a sense of togetherness, sincethe children and parents see me as more than their dentist;Im also a parent, a volunteer, and yes, part of our community.
Working with children is of paramount importance to me, professionally and personally. As a pediatric dentist, there is nothing more gratifying that seeing a pediatric or special needs patient after extensive treatment happily return for follow-up visits with a healthy, happy smile.
I love having fun with my patients, making children laugh and feel comfortable throughout each dental experience. Providing continuity of care allows me to watch children grow and thrive. I love seeing each become excited about caring for his or heroral health and feel positive about seeing dental care providers.
Our team is made up of doctors and staff who are experienced andcompassionate, and have created a friendly, family-like environment. We are united as a team; weworkhard to provide the best care possible, to ensureour patients and parents are heard andrespected, and feel welcome and informed.
I was born and grew up in Northern Virginia. Orlandos been home to my family and me for several years. My husband, Dr. Payman Haft, is an ophthalmologist. We have three beautiful children: a young son and younger twin daughters; and yes, they keep us very busy!
Children are my kryptonite. I love building relationships and connecting with patients: I always care for each child as if she or hewere my own. Every child, and everyparent, soon learns that Im willing, able, and honestly want to go the extra mile to make sure everyonehasa healthy, wonderful smile.
Practicing pediatric dentistry enables me to meet so many members of our community and be part of their lives. I love when children share stories about their adventures, tell me about school or plans for a trip, and smile and hug me and tell me they like visiting our practice.
Along with my colleagues and our staff, weve created a fun, safe, comfortable office where children are listened to, respected, and cared for with compassion. All of us love helping children learn about the importance of oral health and teaching kids how to keep their smiles healthy and bright!
Right now is an exciting time to be a pediatric dentist. The constant developments in technologies, materials, and methodologies allow us to provide amazing treatment and keep smiles healthy and strong!
Since finishing my residency and starting to practice, Ive completed many hours of continuing education. Im passionate about learning and strive to stay at leading-edge of advances in pediatric dentistry.
In addition to attending local, regional, and national meetings, I regularly participate in lectures and seminars. I also read avidly about research findings and discussions of treatment processes in a range of dental journals.
I was born and raised in Carolina, Puerto Rico, and am the daughter of Dominican parents. Im happily married and a proud dog mom of two lovely bulldogs who brighten every day. I love staying active and fit, and enjoy running, working out, dancing, eating well, and traveling the world.
Reviews
Rating 4.3 out of 5 based on 210 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestReyna Bryant
a year ago
Amazing facility for children. Clean, compassionate and incredibly thorough!! Celena was incredible!!
Jason Garcia
a year ago
Absolutely amazing staff!!
yolanda jaimes
a year ago
Had a great experience all around. Very friendly staff. Valentina was very Caring and friendly. Staff is amazing.
Simon Buckingham
a year ago
My 4 and 8 yo children had a great experience at the practice... v thorough and caring and answered all questions clearly... v patient with the youngest child who was wiggling- provided cleaning and X-rays and treatment plans that were clear and understandable. Strongly recommend as was strongly recommended to me by a friend.
Nay AL
2 years ago
(Translated by Google) 2 doctors from the same clinic were "wrong" in the evaluation, they gave me an exaggerated budget for a tooth that was about to fall out I had a terrifying experience with my 5-year-old daughter, removing a cavity ended in torture, the nurse was almost on top of my daughter's body so she wouldn't move, the doctor didn't stop and my daughter began to have a face dwelling. I asked them to stop and they had to treat her at the hospital, luckily I have good dental insurance. For the next visit, the new doctor had a very different opinion from the initial doctor and treated an "infection" as urgent in the same place of treatment that they did themselves . They read their notes about my daughter being "difficult" and again quoted me over $1,000 and that she would be sent to the hospital. I decided to ask for a second opinion and the dentist from another clinic told me that there was nothing urgent, that the problem is that my daughter has a tooth that is about to fall out and see you in 6 months! It is the only dental clinic I know where you are not allowed to have your cell phone in your hand and photos are prohibited. (Original) Se "equivocaron" en la evaluacion 2 doctores de la misma clinica, me hicieron una presupuesto exagerado para un diente proximo a caerse Tuve una experiencia de terror con mi hija de 5 anos, quitar una caries termino en una tortura, la enfermera estaba casi encima del cuerpo de mi hija para que ella no se moviera, la doctora no se detenia y mi hija empezaba a tener la cara morada. Les pedi que se detuvieran y tuvieron que hacerle el tratamiento en el hospital, afortunadamente tengo un buen seguro dental. Para la siguiente visita el nuevo doctor tuvo una opinion muy diferente a la doctora inicial y trato como urgente una "infeccion" en el mismo lugar de tratamiento que ellos mismos hicieron . Leyeron sus notas acerca de que mi hija era "dificil" y de nuevo me hicieron un presupuesto de mas de $1000 dls y que seria enviada al hospital. Decidi pedir una segunda opinion y el dentista de otra clinica me dijo que no habia nada urgente, que el problema mi hija lo tiene en un diente que esta proximo a caerse y nos vemos en 6 meses! Es la unica clinica dental que conozco en donde no te permiten tener tu celular en la mano y las fotos estan prohibidas.
Cristina Alvarez
2 years ago
My son has sensory issues with his mouth. The entire team was so loving and patient with him. They knew that he was really scared and made every attempt to make his visit a fun one. From the welcome sing in the front desk with his name on it, to the dental technician Vero that treated him with so much love and care. I am forever grateful.
Rebekah Hockley
2 years ago
This practice is amazing. I do not have good experiences with dental offices for my children, and this experience goes above & beyond!
Elizabeth
2 years ago
Excellent dental service with Dr. Mendez and her staff. My daughter loves to get her teeth cleaned at this dental office!
Shannon Santana
2 years ago
Excellent experience! Our kids have been patients here for years. Everyone is very friendly, patient and understanding especially with kids on the spectrum. We will definitly return. Thanks again!
Rose Martinez
2 years ago
I love this place the staff is so friendly and lovely I give this office 110% My daughter is 4 years and everybody is so patient with her.
Stephanie Cooper
2 years ago
We love Dental Pediatric Group!!!
Jazzy Girl
2 years ago
Today was my child first visit. Everyone was very friendly and great customer service. Alexandra, was great with my child and explain every step of he's visit. The dentist office is Amazing! My child definitely staying at this dentist office.
heather elders
2 years ago
Great experience today when taking my 4 year old in! His cleaning went super well, and Mariana was so wonderful with him! She took the time to answer all of his questions and chat with him. We will definitely be back for our next cleanings!
Jennifer Negron
2 years ago
I have been going to the Lake Nona office for the last 7 years starting with my oldest. Since then we have seen several DR. Which have all been good experiences , today we saw Dr. Nikki and by far the BEST experience ever. From walking in with all three kids the staff and dental assistants were amazing with my girls and helped me out tremendously . They were all so patient with all my kids especially my littlest being her first visit at 3 years old. I cannot recommend this location and all their staff and Dr. Nicki thank you all for making it a quick efficient and most of all a pleasurable experience for not just me but especially my girls .
Charles Tejada
2 years ago
Visited this location with my 8 year old daughter to get a filling. My daughter loves going to the dentist but this was a horrifying experience for her. Dr. Aiga did not wait for her to be numb prior to doing work . I felt She rushed through the procedure and my daughter was in alot of pain. It was less then 5 mins . There was no care or comfort in any part of this even as a mother to watch your child cry ( which was the first time ever while getting her tooth filled) and a week later still in pain. She is scared of this dentist office and not to mention when I first walked in the staff could not find the right child. This is very unprofessional and upon this I have cancelled my children's cleaning appointments and this facility will not get any business from me EVER!! i can see why they try to charge for laughing gas as they are in a rush to get to the next one. Very disappointed and very unhappy with this service. I would not recommend this company and expecially if your new ... If I could have given it no stars , that's where I would be at this one. This is brutal service for an 8 year old child! Or anyone for that matter!! You would think a woman would be more gentle but it seems in this industry the men have done a better job and also show care and compassion with my children at other locations. Definitely will not be returning.
Amy Trendafilov
2 years ago
My son is autistic and needed his first two fillings at age 15. Dr. Azer and Veronica were AMAZING! I thought it was going to be a traumatic experience for my son, but because of Dr. Azer and Veronica, we were in and out in no time. They ...
Alyssa Koteles
2 years ago
This is such an amazing practice! My 3 yo daughter loved it! Glad she had such a good experience to make her want to keep coming back and not afraid of the dentist .. she even asked to go back again tomorrow after we left! ...
Carla Ytzel
2 years ago
(Translated by Google) I loved all the attention of all the staff they were very kind and my son Maximiliano felt super good I am very grateful ...
Carla Ytzel
2 years ago
(Translated by Google) I loved all the attention of all the staff they were very kind and my son Maximiliano felt super good I am very grateful (Original) Me encanto toda la atencion de todo el personal fueron muy amables y mi hijo Maximiliano se sintio super bien estoy muy agradecida
Amy Trendafilov
2 years ago
My son is autistic and needed his first two fillings at age 15. Dr. Azer and Veronica were AMAZING! I thought it was going to be a traumatic experience for my son, but because of Dr. Azer and Veronica, we were in and out in no time. They talked to him constantly and were extremely patient. The office staff is amazing and we had almost no wait time.
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