Blog

Nautica Nascimento

Nautica is an experienced dental assistant with over eight years of clinical experience and a long-standing commitment to patient care at Smiley Dental. Her interest in dentistry began at a young age and has grown through extensive hands-on experience and continued professional development. Nautica brings strong clinical knowledge, attention to detail, and a calm, reassuring presence to every appointment. She is also certified in ZOOM teeth whitening and particularly enjoys assisting with root canal procedures while working closely with Dr. Patel to provide exceptional treatment outcomes.

Nautica values creating a warm, professional, and comfortable environment for every patient and strives to ensure each visit reflects the high standards of the practice. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and relaxing by watching her favorite television shows. Having been a part of Smiley Dental for many years, Nautica is proud to contribute to a collaborative and patient-focused team.

Luzmary Almonte DeLeon

With a passion for patient care and a dedication to creating comfortable, positive dental experiences, Luzmary is an essential part of our dental team. As a certified dental assistant, she brings 6 years of experience in providing chairside support, maintaining sterilization standards, and helping patients feel at ease throughout their visits. Luzmary enjoys getting to know each patient and takes pride in helping them achieve confident, healthy smiles. Outside of the office, she loves traveling and trying new food spots. Luzmary’s friendly personality, strong attention to detail, and genuine care for patients make her a valued member of our dental family.

Karen Meeks

As a dedicated Patient Coordinator at Smiley Dental, Karen brings years of experience and a heartfelt passion for patient care to our team. Starting her career as a dental assistant, Karen discovered her love for connecting with patients and making them feel at ease from the moment they walk through the door.

She takes pride in creating a friendly and welcoming environment, ensuring every visit runs smoothly and comfortably. Highly organized and adaptable, Karen skillfully balances multiple tasks while maintaining her signature kindness and compassion.

Her long-standing enthusiasm for dentistry and commitment to patient satisfaction make her an invaluable part of the Smiley Dental family.

Sidney Tavares

Sidney is a dedicated dental assistant who joined the Smiley Dental Fairhaven team in July 2024. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in 2024 and brings two years of hands-on experience in dental assisting. Sidney is committed to creating a welcoming, comfortable, and supportive environment for every patient. She takes pride in building strong patient relationships by providing attentive care and remembering each individual by name to ensure a personalized experience.

She is currently continuing her education with plans to pursue a career in dental hygiene, reflecting her strong commitment to professional growth within the dental field. Outside of the office, Sidney enjoys spending time with family and friends, exploring new foods, staying active through workouts, and practicing yoga. Her passion for patient care and continuous learning allows her to consistently deliver high-quality support to both patients and the clinical team.

Jade Leung

Jade is a friendly and reliable dental receptionist who began her career with Smiley Dental Fairhaven in February 2023 and rejoined the team in July 2025. She is currently pursuing her studies at Bristol Community College in the General Life and Health Sciences program. In her role, Jade serves as a key point of contact for patients, assisting them both over the phone and in person with professionalism, clarity, and a positive attitude. She works diligently to ensure patients feel comfortable when scheduling appointments and understands their dental insurance benefits.

Jade is known for her strong communication skills and her ability to create a welcoming experience for every patient interaction. Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and exploring new places with her boyfriend. Her dedication to patient service and continued education makes her an important part of the Smiley Dental Fairhaven team.

Jose Gomes

Jose Gomes is a dedicated Dental Assistant who has been part of our team for about two years. He takes great pride in helping patients feel comfortable, cared for, and confident about their smiles. His warm personality and commitment to patient care make every visit a pleasant experience.

Fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Cape Verdean Creole, Jose connects easily with patients from diverse backgrounds and ensures that everyone feels welcome and understood. He enjoys learning something new each day, working with an amazing team, and making a positive difference in every smile he helps create.

Yanaida Pena

As the Lead Dental Assistant, Yanaida brings over six years of hands-on experience and a strong passion for helping others. A graduate of Lincoln Technical Institute, she excels in creating confident smiles and ensuring patients feel comfortable and cared for.

Known for her skill in fixing dentures, partials, and crowns, Yanaida is also a natural problem solver with great intuition. She values teamwork and takes pride in supporting both patients and colleagues every day.

Rachael Perez

Rachael Perez serves as our Office Manager, bringing a strong background in care and leadership to the Smiley Dental team. She began her career studying early childhood growth and development at Fisher College, where she discovered her passion for helping people.

Since starting in the dental field in 2018 as a receptionist, Rachael has worked her way up through dedication and compassion. She finds joy in seeing people smile and takes pride in ensuring each patient’s experience is positive and organized.

Samaria De Los Santos

Samaria “Sam” De Los Santos is a passionate Dental Assistant who graduated from Lincoln Technical Institute and has been in the dental field for over three years. Her warm personality and enthusiasm make every patient feel comfortable in the chair.

Sam believes that “You don’t just clean teeth—you spark confidence.” She loves helping people, and that motivation drives her to bring care and compassion to every patient she sees.

Wendy Laracuente

As a dedicated Patient Coordinator at Smiley Dental, Wendy Laracuente takes pride in helping patients feel comfortable and confident throughout their care. She focuses on creating a positive, welcoming environment while ensuring each visit is stress-free and enjoyable.

Wendy is highly organized and attentive, managing appointments efficiently and maintaining clear communication between patients and our clinical team. Her genuine commitment to exceptional service supports both our patients and staff every day.

Violette Lafortune

Originally from Haiti, Violette Lafortune is a valued member of our dental team who takes pride in delivering exceptional patient care. She ensures every visit runs smoothly, combining professionalism with a warm, welcoming attitude.

Violette’s passion for dentistry shines through in the way she helps patients schedule appointments efficiently and feel at ease throughout their experience. Her dedication to organization and patient comfort makes her an essential part of our team.

Dr. Charan Teja Bobba

Dr. Charan Teja Bobba, DDS, MHA is a skilled general dentist dedicated to providing comprehensive, patient-centered dental care. He earned his Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree in India, where he built a strong clinical foundation and developed a passion for restorative and preventive dentistry. After moving to the United States, he completed his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree, blending international experience with advanced, evidence-based techniques.

Dr. Bobba also holds a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration (MHA), which supports his commitment to delivering efficient, ethical, and high-quality care. His clinical expertise spans a wide range of procedures, with a special focus on Implantology, Oral Surgery, Restorative dentistry, and Prosthodontics. Known for his gentle approach and attention to detail, he ensures that every treatment plan is tailored to meet the unique needs and goals of each patient.

Outside the operatory, Dr. Bobba is passionate about lifelong learning and community service. He has volunteered with the American Red Cross and is committed to educating patients about oral health and preventive care. Whether restoring a single tooth or managing complex cases, Dr. Bobba’s mission is to help patients achieve healthy, confident smiles through compassionate, state-of-the-art care.

Dr. Suraj Sinha

Dr. Suraj Sinha is a globally trained cleft and craniofacial orthodontist with over 12 years of dedicated experience in dentistry. He completed advanced training at the prestigious Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan—the largest hospital in the world—and earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) from Rutgers School of Dental Medicine.

Renowned for his clinical excellence and academic rigor, Dr. Sinha has authored more than 20 peer-reviewed publications, cited over 100 times, significantly advancing the understanding of craniofacial anomalies and interdisciplinary treatment approaches. Throughout his distinguished career, he has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing his outstanding contributions to research, clinical innovation, and patient care.

Fueled by a passion for innovation and compassionate treatment, Dr. Sinha is dedicated to transforming lives—one confident smile at a time.

Dr. Pavna Shah

Dr. Shah brings a global perspective and over 15 years of experience to her dental practice. She began her dental journey in India, where she earned her Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree. Driven by a passion for providing comprehensive, patient-centered care, Dr. Shah pursued advanced education in the United States at Boston University with High honors.

Dr. Shah is passionate about staying on the leading edge of dentistry and invests a lot of time into continuing education. Her clinical interests include preventive dentistry, restorative procedures, and creating healthy, confident smiles for patients of all ages. She is also a certified Invisalign provider.
  Dr. Shah is committed to delivering high-quality care with compassion and precision. She believes in building strong relationships with her patients and staying current with the latest advancements in dental technology and techniques. Dr. Shah enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and exploring new cuisines.

Dr. Karishnee Patel

Dr. Karishnee Patel is a compassionate dentist who believes oral health is a key part of overall well-being. She earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) from the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, building a strong foundation in advanced clinical techniques and patient-centered care.

With more than seven years of experience, Dr. Patel’s philosophy goes beyond relieving toothaches. She focuses on whole-person dentistry looking for root causes, using evidence-based treatments, and tailoring care to each patient’s health goals.

Dr. Patel takes time to understand your needs and lifestyle, then creates a personalized plan whether you’re here for routine maintenance, cosmetic enhancements, or advanced restorative work. Her goal is simple: guide you toward a healthier, happier smile.

Dr. Aparna Khanna

Dr. Aparna Khanna is a graduate of Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (2010) with more than 20 years of experience. Inspired early by her father, a renowned pedodontist (pediatric dentist), she now practices at Smiley Dental’s Lowell office and helps oversee operations across our locations.

Her clinical focus includes cosmetic, restorative, and preventive care. She provides dental implants, crowns and bridges, dentures (complete, partial, implant-retained), root canal therapy, and tooth-colored fillings. Dr. Khanna is an Invisalign-certified provider and offers clear aligner therapy to improve bite and smile alignment. She welcomes patients of all ages and pays special attention to seniors and people with disabilities.

Dr. Khanna founded Smiley Dental in 2013 and has grown it into a multi-location, metrics-driven Dental Service Organisation (DSO) alongside her husband, Rahul, employing more than 60 team members. Outside the office, she’s active in the local community and enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, hiking, and exploring nearby trails.

Dr. Payal Patel

Dr. Payal Patel completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at New York University College of Dentistry, following her undergraduate studies at Adelphi University. She is passionate about patient-centered care, and takes special care to listen to patient concerns, help ease anxiety, and deliver treatment in a collaborative, empathetic way.

At Smiley Dental, Dr. Patel offers a full spectrum of dental services—from preventative and restorative care to cosmetic dentistry and emergency treatment. She believes in building trust and communication, so patients feel comfortable asking questions and participating in their own treatment decisions.

Outside the clinic, Dr. Patel values community, professional growth, and patient education. She strives to stay current with emerging techniques and technologies, and she brings warmth and professionalism to every interaction, helping patients of all ages smile with confidence.

Dr. Rhea Vohra

Dr. Rhea Vohra is a compassionate and skilled dental professional dedicated to providing high-quality, patient-centered care. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from New York University College of Dentistry, where she developed a strong foundation in comprehensive and pediatric dentistry. Her passion for helping patients achieve healthy, confident smiles is reflected in her gentle approach and commitment to excellence.

At Smiley Dental, Dr. Vohra offers a wide range of services including preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dental care. She believes in building lasting relationships with her patients through trust, education, and open communication, ensuring that every visit is comfortable and stress-free. Her attention to detail and dedication to patient well-being make her an integral part of the Smiley Dental team.

Beyond the office, Dr. Vohra enjoys connecting with her community and staying current with the latest advancements in dental care. Her warm demeanor, professionalism, and passion for dentistry inspire confidence and comfort in every patient she treats.