Dr. Ryan Lepore, DMD
CEO
Dr. Lepore is recently retired from the clinical aspect of dentistry due to some preexisting injuries and is now the owner/CEO of Gentle Dentistry. His goal is to simply assist in allowing Dr. A to do more of what she loves to do most; practice dentistry and care for people. His role involves managing the operations and behind-the-scenes work so that Dr. A can focus solely on providing you with the quality of care you’ve come to know and expect. He has known Dr. A and her family for years and feels quite honored that Dr. A has selected him to help continue her amazing tradition of quality care and exceptional patient service.
Dr. Lepore was born in Pittsburgh, PA but grew up in the Tampa Bay Area. He is a graduate of the University of Florida, both for undergraduate and dental school. He married his college sweetheart, Jamila in 2012 and has two children: Luca (born in 2017) and Melina (born in 2019). In his free time, you’ll find him watching the Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Florida Gators and enjoying precious time with his family.
Naiara
Treatment Coordinator
Naiara was born and raised in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She immigrated to the United States in 2005. She started working in the dental field after graduation from high school. She loved the field so much that she made it her career. She is currently working on her degree in business administration. Outside of work, she loves to spend time with her two children and husband. Her hobbies include paddle boarding, traveling, and writing. Naiara’s favorite part about her job is explaining recommended treatments to patients in a way that’s easy to understand, helping them have the healthy smile of their dreams.
Maica
Maica was born and raised in Manila, Philippines. She obtained her Bachelors in Applied Science in Dental Hygiene at St. Petersburg College and has been practicing dental hygiene since 2012. She also has 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 Hygienist’s Association and is currently serving as the secretary for the Executive Board. Outside of the office, she loves to travel and make memories with her husband and son. To further fill her cup, she enjoys volunteering, cooking, reading, and snuggling with her dog Mochi.
Sydney
Hygienist
Sydney is a true native of Tampa. She is a Certified Registered Dental Hygienist with an advanced certification to administer local anesthesia. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences from the University of South Florida. Her goal is to provide a comfortable and positive experience for all her patients and to ensure they leave with a smile. Outside of the office, you can find Sydney rooting for her favorite sports team, Tampa Bay Lightning! She also enjoys spending time with her family, meeting new people, and being outdoors, especially on the water.
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 any and 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 her attention to detail make her such a valuable member of our team. Outside of the office Sonya enjoys spending quality time with her family and 3 children. Some of her favorite hobbies include painting, photography, and anything outdoors.
