Before you read more about the exciting news, let me take you back on this incredible journey…
Nona Smiles’ owners, Dr. Melendez and Dr. Ramirez, first met in dental school. Soon after graduating in 2000, they began their residency at a New York hospital. Trying to escape from the cold weather, they both returned to Puerto Rico, where they opened their first dental office. Not only did they have a new dental practice, but their first child, Kamila, was also born. Driven by their desire to provide the best for their new child as well as to give back to those in need with the latest technology, Dr. Melendez and Dr. Ramirez made the decision to move to Orlando.
Moving to the United States implicated many struggles: They were here with no family members and now they had to start all over from scratch. They both worked as associate dentists at different practices, but their dream of having their own practice again where their vision could be developed and realized was always present. This is when they made the difficult, but yet inspiring, decision to open their own dental practice. Not only was opening a new office a nerve-wracking experience for them, but they also decided to open a dental office at a location that was just starting to develop. With all of these mixed emotions of fear and excitement, Nona Smiles first opened their doors to the Lake Nona community in February 2009, years before it became the bustling community it is today.
Not only has the office grown since they opened, but so has their family! Soon after opening Nona Smiles, Dr. Melendez and Dr. Ramirez welcomed their second child, Gustavo.
Driven by the desire to care for his family and the community, Dr. Melendez continually attends seminars in search of the latest technology and in efforts to improve his already amazing dental skills. He strives to be the best at his work, and it shows! His talents are not only recognized by many patients but also by other peers and people from the dental industry! Dr. Melendez has been selected to test new technology and/or materials before being marketed and has been chosen to train other dentists, both local and abroad, in the field with the Cerec technology. But training does not stop with the doctors. Their staff members are continually trained with the new technology and customer service skills as well.
Having evolved within the practice and the continual desire to provide quality care for more people in the community, Dr. Melendez and Dr. Ramirez announced the new home for Nona Smiles! This exciting new building is a state-of-the-art facility located in Lake Nona Landings shopping center. It’s a 9,400-square-foot, mid-century, modern design building where every single detail has been thought of and carefully designed in order to provide a great patient experience. The new home will provide general dentistry and dental specialist care all under one roof.
The new office is expected to open their doors to the Lake Nona community in summer of 2019. Not only are the doctors very excited, but they are also proud of their hard work and dedication. Looking back to 2009, we can say that their goal to provide quality dental care with patient comfort has paid off, and it certainly continues to grow in the Lake Nona community.
