Maica
Dental Hygienist
Maica was born and raised in Manila, Philippines. She obtained her Bachelor in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene at St. Petersburg College and has practiced dental hygiene since 2012. She has also worked as an adjunct instructor in the Dental Hygiene Program at Hillsborough Community College since 2015. Maica prides herself in providing high-quality patient care and patient education while developing a trusting relationship with her patients. She is an active member of the Florida Dental Hygienists’ Association and currently serves as the secretary for its Executive Board. Outside the office, she loves to travel and make memories with her husband and son. She also enjoys volunteering, cooking, reading, and snuggling with her dog Mochi.
Nicki
Dental Hygienist
Nicki received her Bachelor’s in Applied Sciences from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 2014. She was born in Vietnam and raised in Boston, MA. In June 2024, Nicki moved to Tampa with her husband and their dog, Blue. Nicki prides herself on providing personalized care and building lasting relationships with her patients. She enjoys staying up to date with the latest dental products and procedures to help improve her patients’ oral health. Outside of work, Nicki loves baking, cooking, traveling, staying active, and practicing martial arts. Nicki and her husband are expecting their first child in February 2025!
Susie
Dental Hygienist
Susie began her career in dentistry after earning her degree in Dental Hygiene in 2010. Originally from Miami, Florida, she moved to Maryland, where she worked as a mobile hygienist, providing care to geriatric patients in assisted living facilities. In 2020, Susie relocated to Tampa and pursued a new academic path by earning her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Policy.
While her passion for dental hygiene remains strong, and she continues to practice part-time, Susie has also expanded her interests into environmental sustainability, yoga, and community wellness. She enjoys working in gardens, contributing to city beautification projects, and teaching yoga.
Susie hopes to one day work with the City of Tampa to help develop sustainable solutions for the area’s rapid growth. She brings compassion, curiosity, and a holistic approach to everything she does, whether caring for patients or nurturing the world around her.
Natalie
Chairside Assistant
Natalie was born in Tampa, grew up in Gainesville, and has lived in the Tampa Bay Area since 2000. She has been a part of our Gentle Dentistry family since 2016. Natalie enjoys the leadership aspect of her role and has been a lead dental assistant since 2011. She loves the artistic nature of dentistry and takes great pride in creating beautiful temporary veneers, crowns, and bridges. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Steven, and doing all kinds of activities on the water.
Sonya
Chairside Assistant
Sonya has been in the dental industry since 2011, when she began her career at Gentle Dentistry. She is compassionate and caring. Her experience, talent, and attention to detail make her such a valuable member of our team. Outside the office, Sonya enjoys spending quality time with her family and three children. Some of her favorite hobbies are painting, photography, and outdoor activities.
Jessie
Chairside Assistant
Jessie was born and raised in Gainesville, Florida, and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Biology at the University of South Florida. Before entering the dental field, she worked as a nail technician, where she developed a strong attention to detail and a passion for helping others feel confident. Now, as a chairside dental assistant, Jessie applies that same care and precision to patient care. She hopes to become a dentist in the future and is excited about growing in her field. Jessie enjoys painting, crocheting, and going to the beach in her free time.
Adrian
Chairside Assistant
Adrian, born and raised in Tampa, Florida, is a dedicated and compassionate dental assistant with a strong commitment to patient care and oral health. He has earned a reputation for his professionalism, attention to detail, and ability to comfort patients, particularly those who feel anxious about visiting the dentist. His calm demeanor and friendly personality make him a favorite among both colleagues and patients.
Adrian enjoys staying active outside of work by going to the gym, playing pool, and exploring new cuisines on weekends. He is also passionate about continuing his education and is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree.
Kelly
Patient Care Coordinator
Kelly started in dentistry as an assistant in 2020. She earned her bachelor’s degree at the University of South Florida and her master’s degree at Barry University. She has goals and aspirations to be a dentist one day. Her knowledge of dentistry makes her a perfect fit for our team as a patient coordinator, as she takes pride in answering questions and concerns regarding patient treatment. In her free time, Kelly loves volunteering at the local pet shelter and trying new restaurants in Tampa Bay.
