Author: Celeste McLaughlin

North Tampa Law Group Can Help With Estate Planning & More!

Attorney Brian Arrighi, the owner and managing partner of North Tampa Law Group, says his firm has the knowledge and experience to be your go-to expert if you need legal assistance for a real estate transaction, estate planning or probate.

North Tampa Law Group is conveniently located in the Cypress Glen Professional Park, about a mile east of the I-75 exit off S.R. 56 (behind MINI of Wesley Chapel). The firm relocated there several years ago, after Brian originally opened it in the Tampa Palms Professional Center in 2014.

Brian has been practicing law for more than 14 years, since earning his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the Stetson University College of Law in St. Petersburg, and a B.S. degree in Mass Communications from the University of Florida in Gainesville. He’s a member of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law section of the Florida Bar.

He says the busiest part of his practice might be real estate transactions, as the housing market in this area remains very active.

“It has been and still remains more of a seller’s market,” says Brian. “If the home is priced fairly, we frequently see homes go under contract quickly, with multiple offers. In a seller’s market, we also see an increase in calls regarding ‘For Sale By Owner’ transactions.”

He explains that North Tampa Law Group offers the same title services as a title agency, but a title agency has to refer a buyer or seller to legal counsel if any legal issues arise. With a real estate attorney already involved, Brian and his team simply go to work addressing those issues, and act as your title agency.

“It’s a convenience,” he explains. “We cover all the bases, whereas a title agency can’t address anything that requires legal advice or legal documents.”

He adds that hiring North Tampa Law Group to handle a real estate closing doesn’t necessarily increase the cost of a transaction without an attorney. “Our fees are very competitive compared to a standard title agent,” Brian says.

Covid Choices

Brian says that because of the Covid-19 pandemic, North Tampa Law Group has changed the way it handles closings, giving clients a variety of choices to allow them to close in the manner that is most comfortable for that client.

“We can send a mobile notary to the client, or we’re even offering curbside signings, where the client pulls up in their car, calls us, and we send the notary out to them,” Brian explains. “Clients also can choose to sign in the office, but we space it out and clean the conference room in between groups.”

In most transactions, the seller is the party who chooses the title agency, and sellers often use whoever their Realtor recommends. But, people are free to choose, so they can let their Realtor know they would like North Tampa Law Group to handle their closing and title insurance.

Taylor Oliveri, the firm’s title manager, works with clients from start to finish on real estate transactions to ensure that those transactions close without a problem.

“Taylor is extremely responsive and very helpful,” says Brian. “Buyers and sellers are calling, they’re anxious and nervous and worried, and she’s great at bringing everybody back down to earth…calming them down.”

Taylor says North Tampa Law Group will go the extra mile to make sure your closing goes smoothly.

“As a smaller law firm, we have more of a boutique feel, rather than a large corporation,” she says. “We establish a good rapport with our clients and with Realtors, as well.”

Many of the clients Taylor works with are those who are selling their homes without a real estate agent. “People want to save money by not hiring a Realtor,” she says, “and they still get top-notch service with us.”

Seven Oaks resident Sandy Villeneuve agrees. When she was ready to sell a townhome that she owned as an investment property in The Bay at Cypress Creek (near I-75 off S.R. 56), she says she didn’t want to use a real estate agent.

“Nobody knew the property better than I did, so I refused to pay a Realtor thousands of dollars to sell it for me,” she says. “But, I couldn’t do the legal side of it, so I needed an attorney.”

Sandy says she and her husband sat down for a consultation with North Tampa Law Group and were pleasantly surprised at the low cost of hiring the firm. From the first meeting, Sandy says it was a great experience every step of the way. “Brian was absolutely wonderful,” she says. “He and Taylor were so responsive and easy to work with. They made it a very easy transaction.”

People looking to sell their property “by owner” can schedule a free phone or in-person consultation with North Tampa Law Group. At that point, Brian and his team go over the steps to the transaction and provide of the all necessary documents, such as a real estate contract, seller disclosure form and homeowners association documents.

To access some of the documents, or to find out what your title costs would be, visit NorthTampaLawGroup.com.

Estate Planning & Probate

North Tampa Law Group also helps people ensure that they don’t unintentionally leave behind problems for any heirs they may have, which can require a lot of time and expense to resolve. Estate planning is preparing for the management of your assets and determining how to efficiently distribute the assets to your loved ones when you pass away.

People are often most familiar with a Last Will & Testament document, which directs the distribution of assets, but does not avoid the potentially lengthy and expensive court process known as “probate.” North Tampa Law Group also can discuss a “living will” and other options to avoid probate.

At a consultation with North Tampa Law Group, all estate planning options are discussed to avoid or minimize any court involvement. While probate might not be the best option for everyone, Brian says there are times when it can be beneficial.

In addition to asset distribution, Brian adds that real-life factors — such as long-term health care, guardianship and insurance coverage — also are part of estate planning.

“There is really a lot we can help you with,” he explains. “Many clients are relieved to find out it was not as expensive or as difficult as they thought.”

Brian says that communicating effectively with clients is an important part of the firm’s success. “I think we do a great job of explaining things in simple terms and allowing the client to proceed at their own pace,” he says, adding that many people don’t like to think about estate planning. “Addressing the issues is more difficult for some people and it can take a few discussions before they determine how they want to handle their affairs, and that is perfectly fine.”

For those who have recently lost someone and find themselves needing assistance in the probate process, Brian is experienced in that area as well.

North Tampa Law Group is located at 26852 Tanic Dr., Suite 102. For more information, visit NorthTampaLawGroup.com or make an appointment for a free initial consultation by calling (813) 518-7411.

Law

Jim Plummer Wants To Make Your Money Work For You!

Most people wonder if they will have enough money to retire comfortably, and many don’t really understand their investments, or know what they need to do to be prepared for their post-work years.

“It’s so complicated,” says James B. Plummer, wealth advisor with ILG Private Wealth. “People need help in retirement.”

Plummer, who goes by Jim, is an independent advisor representative (IAR), and ILG is a registered investment advisor (RIA). Jim says being an IAR — as opposed to working for a specific investment firm — means his primary responsibility is to put the client first.

“I’m paid differently than a broker dealer (which typically charges fees for trading securities such as stocks and bonds),” he explains. “I can work with whatever companies I want to, (the ones) that best suit my clients. We look at the whole picture, so the client sees how everything dovetails together to be prepared when they get to retirement age.”

That whole picture, he says, includes bonds, stocks, exchange traded funds (ETF), life insurance, long-term insurance, annuities (which is income for life) and other options.

While ILG Private Wealth is located in Pennsylvania, the company also has an office in Celebration, FL. Jim was working for the company in Pennsylvania when he and his wife of 44 years moved to Tampa Palms last October to be closer to family.

Jim goes into the Celebration office as needed, but his clients only deal directly with him. He typically visits a client’s home or work, where they have easy access to any paperwork they will need to go over with him. If a client prefers to come to Jim, he’ll gladly meet them at another location, such as the Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club.

A Little History…

Jim earned his B.S. degree in Accounting and Business Administration from Hillsdale College in Hillsdale, MI. He became an accountant, then was a chief financial officer for 30 years for two multimillion dollar corporations. He says that during that time, he saw the need for employees to get good advice when they were “handed a lot of money” at retirement, so he got licensed to begin a new phase of his career.

He says he has been an IAR for 18 years now, and that he has some clients who have been with him from the beginning.

Because of his background working in business, Jim is particularly interested in helping small business owners prepare for retirement.

“I’ve dealt with family business owners all my life,” Jim says. “I work with anybody who is interested, but my focus is on business owners.”

You Need An Expert

If you spend a few minutes talking with Jim, he’ll probably share some interesting tips that could help you retain more of your money in retirement. Here’s one example:

“Most people probably have a 401(k) if they’re working, or maybe an IRA,” Jim explains. “If you look at how much money that investment is worth, it’s not all your money. The government will take taxes out before you get it.”

So, in some cases, he says, it might be more beneficial to put that money into a Roth 401k or Roth IRA. You pay taxes on it before you put the money in, but once you invest in a Roth, what you accumulate is all your money.

“There are no taxes when you take that money out,” says Jim. “There’s nothing on the growth and nothing on the principal.”

He says you can move money from a regular 401k to a Roth, but you want to move enough that you can afford to pay those taxes on it, but not so much that it puts you in the next tax bracket.

Sound confusing? It can be. That’s why Jim says you need someone like him to help you figure it out.

“We’re a planning organization,” says Jim. First and foremost, he gathers his clients’ information and focuses on finding out what their needs are: How long until you need your money? What do you want – or need – your money to do for you?

Then he shares more of those valuable tips. Here’s another one:

“Make sure there’s enough money for you,” he says. “If you want to give your kids a bunch of money, do it through life insurance. You could give them an insurance policy that’s worth 10 times as much [as you could give them now]. You don’t know what life holds for you.”

Jim also reminds people to keep their beneficiaries updated, saying that the beneficiaries listed on a life insurance policy or other investment supersede any will or trust. As life changes, you may want to change beneficiaries.

He also can help you understand Social Security and the taxes related to Social Security benefits.

“Most people have more money in Social Security than they have saved for themselves,” he says. While full retirement is at age 66, should you take your Social Security benefits then? Or, should you wait until you’re age 70? Or later? Essentially, he says, “Social Security is paying 8 percent on that money. You can’t earn that on money in the investment markets right now.”

But, he notes that delaying when you take your Social Security still isn’t right for everyone, and Jim can help you figure out what’s best for you, your spouse and your family.

He offers these words of caution, however. “You’re stuck with that decision the rest of your life,” he says. “You can’t make a change once you’ve decided what to do.”

Jim says he helps many clients do a Social Security analysis to decide what’s the most beneficial time for each of them to take that money, whether that’s early, late, or a blend of both.

Webinars Can Help

Jim has a series of webinars that he offers to help educate people about important financial topics, including how to plan for Social Security. Anyone, whether they are a client of Jim’s or not, can attend the sessions, which last about 45 minutes to an hour, depending upon the questions asked by the participants.

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Jim says he would offer the educational seminars in person, but they are now available online only, in the comfort of your own home or office. He says the technology today to attend his webinars is so simple, that you just click a link to get connected to the Zoom meeting. So, even people who are not technologically savvy are easily able to attend.

Jim Plummer works remotely in Tampa Palms and will meet you at your home or business for a consultation. For more information, to register, or to discuss how Jim might be able to help you with your financial planning, call him at (814) — not 813 — 931-4271.

Jim Plummer

Church Sold; Will Become AdventHealth Care Pavilion

The LifePoint Church building located on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in front of Hunter’s Green, has been sold to Advent Health, which intends to renovate it into a “care pavilion.”

AdventHealth paid $7.4 million for the 5.84-acre property and reportedly will spend $8.44 million more to renovate it, and plans to include exam rooms and imaging capabilities such as MRIs, X-rays and CT scans.

“We are still working to determine which care services will best fit the needs of the community,” says Richelle Hoenes-Ahearn, a spokesperson for AdventHealth. “We are excited about the opportunity to bring this kind of facility to the area and make it more convenient and accessible for people to prioritize health and wellness.”

Tampa City Council member Luis Viera, who represents District 7, which includes New Tampa, says he is working with AdventHealth to be sure the facility meets the needs of the New Tampa community.

He plans to have a meeting with AdventHealth in November to allow neighborhood leaders to ask any questions they may have about the project.

“This is a facility with a lot of potential benefits to the New Tampa area,” he says. “Dialogue is key.”

Meanwhile, LifePoint Church has moved its services to Wesley Chapel and also changed its name to The Gathering Church.

Executive pastor Brian Brown says the sale of the building is not related to the effects of Covid-19. In fact, he says, discussions with AdventHealth started well before the pandemic hit, when the hospital system approached the church with an offer.

Brian says the church had previously been approached by other suitors looking to purchase the building, but the offer from AdventHealth was, “the right price at the right time.”

The sale closed in mid-September, which was at the end of at least nine or ten months of discussion and work towards that goal, says Brian. He added that the lengthy process AdventHealth had to go through for permitting and rezoning was somewhat delayed because parts of the government had been shut down due the pandemic.

LifePoint originally purchased the building in 2006, when it was a vacant former Winn-Dixie supermarket and the church was meeting at the New Tampa Family YMCA. LifePoint opened its doors at the building in 2007.

“It was great for us,” says Brian, “but we’ve had a change in focus as a ministry.”

Brad White is the senior pastor for the church, which at one time had multiple campuses in Hillsborough and Pasco counties. Now, the church is exclusively in Wesley Chapel, meeting at Wiregrass Ranch High on Mansfield Blvd. on Sundays at 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and noon.

“We have now focused all of our attention on the Wesley Chapel area,” says Brian. “That’s where all the growth is going.”

He says the church did a demographic study of its database and found that the majority of its congregation was coming from Wesley Chapel anyway, so the decision was made to move into the area where its people are living.

While the church may purchase another building in the future, for now, that’s not its priority.

“Our focus is just to love people and to help them begin a relationship with God,” says Brian, adding that buildings that are only used once a week cost a lot of money to maintain. “Now, dollars that were being spent on a facility are being used to facilitate relationships. We’re excited. It’s a great location for AdventHealth, so it’s a win-win for everybody.”

AdventHealth Church

New Tampa Dance Theatre Offers $25 Tuition For 25th Season 2.0

Whether you or your child likes to dance for fun or dreams of a career on stage one day, the New Tampa Dance Theatre (NTDT) offers dancers a world-class, professional experience that is unmatched in the Tampa Bay area.

Located on Cross Creek Blvd. (across from Heritage Isles) in New Tampa, the 7,500-sq.-ft. NTDT is the largest professional dance training facility in the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area. Owner and artistic director Dyane Elkins IronWing is in her 25th season of creating dance memories and futures for her students, many of whom have gone on to study dance in college and/or dance professionally.

“As always, I’m so proud of our students,” says Elkins IronWing. “Our dancers become excellent college students, with their impressive time-management skills, perseverance and creative thinking.”

While the coronavirus pandemic wiped out most of the first half of the year for NTDT, Elkins IronWing is hoping to finish her “25th season 2.0” out strong.

“Our hearts are bursting with excitement, seeing our beautiful students again,” she says. “With last season ending differently than planned, we are continuing to get back to the community and extending this milestone celebration by offering all new students $25 per month tuition for every class!”

NTDT’s complete schedule of classes is being offered with in-person, Zoom, or a hybrid of both to ensure that families feel 100% comfortable during this transition. Elkins IronWing says that the safety of their students has always been her top priority, so social distance guidelines, extra disinfecting nightly with hospital-grade products and masks are required at this time.

“Our students are extremely excited about being back dancing at the school and spending time with their dance family,” says Elkins IronWing. “We’re extremely proud of our faculty and our students’ dedication during this transition. They are all truly living up to the NTDT motto of ‘Respect, Responsibility and Teamwork.’”

A Chance To ‘Do As I Have Done’

Elkins IronWing herself says she started dancing at age 5, later trained in New York City and performed with the Ballet Metropolitan in Columbus, OH.

She moved to Tampa in 1995 to be near family and friends and immediately opened NTDT in the Pebble Creek Collection on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. In 2002, she purchased the current NTDT property on Cross Creek Blvd., designed her spacious new studio herself, and moved her school to the new building in January 2006.

With the bigger location, Elkins IronWing was off and running, offering smaller class sizes and larger, more varied schedules.

She says she also has a larger pool of students today, with the ongoing explosive growth in Wesley Chapel.

“Our name might say New Tampa,” she says, “but our location is much closer to Wesley Chapel than one might assume. We are extremely convenient to all of the current growth (there). Wesley Chapel families are shocked to discover just how close we are and are excited because of how quickly they can drive to our school.”

All Ages & Experience Levels

NTDT caters to both the recreational dance lover as well as the devoted pre-professional — and every level in between.

The studio’s leveled curriculum offers multiple art forms for students to explore. Through personalized attention and professional expertise, NTDT’s professional faculty strives to provide a positive educational experience.

Teen/Adult classes include four eight-week sessions (from Sept.-May) of classical ballet, tap and Zumba.

Children ages 3-4 can participate in the studio’s Early Childhood Program, ages 5-8 can take part in the Children’s Program and ages 9-18 are invited to join NTDT’s Youth Program.

In addition to classical ballet, NTDT offers full programs in creative movement, modern, jazz, tap and hip-hop.

Each program has its own directors and specific syllabuses guiding students in a structured manner through their studies.

Dyane’s husband, Troy IronWing, is NTDT’s director of tap, while she will instruct ballet, jazz and creative movement classes this season. Both also have continued to tour internationally — now for 15 years — with the Rhythm Extreme performance troupe.

The facilities at NTDT are as top notch as the instructors, and include maple flooring for the tap classes, 20-25-ft.-tall mirrored walls, student locker rooms and a large studio space that can accommodate up to 200 people.

Sprung floors provide shock absorption to protect the dancers’ joints and an on-site physical therapist ensures the health of the dancers. NTDT also features a café offering light meals, snacks, coffee and other drinks.

The Training You Need

NTDT has developed a reputation for creating strong, professional dancers with alumni who have moved on to highly respected dance companies, Broadway productions and the Walt Disney Company.

Because NTDT students learn to be proficient in multiple art forms, these students have an edge in the competitive world of dance and many of them have been accepted into prestigious summer intensive programs, including the School of American Ballet and American Ballet Theater in New York City, The Harid Conservatory in Boca Raton, the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago and the Boston Ballet.

“With this milestone 25th anniversary celebration season, it’s a time for reflection with extreme gratitude and love for all the amazing people who have been a part of our dance programs and family,” says Elkins IronWing.”

One local former student certainly agrees with that assessment.

“I credit all of my success as a professional dancer to the foundational training I received at NTDT from ages 6-18,” says Victoria DeRenzo, who today is a professional dancer and choreographer who has toured internationally in 28 countries on four continents, most notably with the renowned Pilobolus Dance Theatre in Washington Depot, Connecticut.

“I loved every second of my experience growing up there,” she adds, “but I had no idea how spoiled I was until I graduated. Not many people receive a top-notch dance education in multiple artforms during their lifetimes, let alone at the age of 6.”

If a student doesn’t choose to pursue a career in dance after high school, they can still reach a level of artistry to be accepted into many college dance programs, says Elkins IronWing.

“Believing in yourself, respecting the process of working towards a goal, and having a well-rounded dance education give our students the tools and confidence to continue discovering new passions throughout their lifetimes,” she says.

Great Productions, Too!

All students get to perform in NTDT’s “Spring Production” and — through the studio’s nonprofit partner, the Dance Theatre of Tampa (DTT) — in the winter production of “The Nutcracker,” as well as the “Summer Concert Series,” held in June at the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus.

DTT provides more than 300 free tickets to NTDT’s corporate sponsors, local community supporters, alumni members and students. A small costume rental fee for productions is the only cost over the tuition that parents have to pay at any time — Elkins IronWing says there is never a requirement to buy advertising or pay performance fees.

New Tampa residents Gary and Charity Hartley relocated here in 2018 from Virginia, and enrolled their daughter Hope at NTDT.

“The New Tampa Dance Theatre and the entire staff were the linchpins for our transition into the New Tampa area,” Charity says. “The warmth of the studio, quality of instruction and wonderful students have made us feel right at home. We especially love the way (NTDT) manages the educational aspect of their DTT company members, ensuring they have exposure to various dance forms in their weekly training, master classes and dance performances they attend as a group.”

Transferring at 14 years old, Charity says Hope was originally placed in the Youth Program Level 6 and has made true, long-lasting friendships at NTDT.

“The positive atmosphere, paired with the super talented staff, is simply the best dance experience we’ve encountered throughout our various moves as a military family,” Charity says.

Every holiday season, Elkins IronWing says local residents look forward to the community’s largest and longest-running interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet, “The Nutcracker,” now in its 21st NTDT season. This year, it will be held Friday-Sunday, December 18-20, at the USF Tampa College of Arts Theater 1.

“It’s all about the children at NTDT, always has been and always will be,” she says. “We are a company that enables children to succeed. The key is setting high expectations, all while having fun and building self-confidence. With the amazing season ahead of us, we would like to thank all of our trusting and loyal families over the years and the organizations that continually support our vision. Without their recognition and time, NTDT wouldn’t be the magical place it has become!”

The New Tampa Dance Theatre offers year-round free trial classes for prospective dancers of all ages. To tour the facility or to rent it for a meeting, party or function, visit NTDT at 10701 Cross Creek Blvd. For more information and to check out the exciting lineup of fall 2020 classes, visit NewTampaDanceTheatre.com or call (813) 994-NTDT (6838). You also can follow NTDT on Facebook and Instagram at “New Tampa Dance Theatre.”

new tampa dance theatre

Dr. Duga & Dr. Feeney Can Help Your Kids Enjoy Visiting The Dentist!

Since opening his pediatric dentistry office more than two decades ago, one philosophy has always guided Paul Duga, DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery).

“We provide one-on-one, private, patient-driven care,” he explains. “We provide dentistry that is safe and healthy, and also non-threatening, so kids don’t grow up with an irrational fear of dentists.”

He and Shawna Adams-Feeney, DMD (Doctor of Medical Dentistry) see patients at their Dr. Duga, Dr. Feeney & Associates Pediatric Dentistry office in the Somerset Professional Park in Tampa Palms, located off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. at Amberly Dr.

Especially during times of uncertainty, Dr. Duga and Dr. Feeney (as she is called by most of her young patients) are reassuring. While facing a pandemic, the doctors’ always-calm tone helps parents to know their kids are in good hands.

“People want to know how their kids are going to be taken care of safely,” Dr. Duga explains. “That’s very important to everyone. We’re taking temperatures, doing screenings, and all the things we’re supposed to be doing.”

While the office has made some changes because of Covid-19 — such as adding Plexiglas barriers at the front desk — Dr. Duga says most of the health and safety precautions that are currently recommended have always been standard practice at his office.

“The governor of the state of Florida closed us for about six weeks, but not because of risk,” Dr. Duga says. “We already practiced sterilization techniques and barrier control, such as wearing masks and goggles, to keep our patients and staff healthy. We were shut down because front line people needed (so much of) the personal protective equipment.”

Closing dental offices meant masks and gloves that were desperately needed in hospitals would go there until production could be ramped up to provide enough PPE for both hospitals and all other medical offices.

“As far as social distancing is concerned, our office was almost designed for it,” Dr. Duga says. “Our floor plan allows us to keep families all separated and safe.”

He recognizes, however, that many people are even more anxious these days, and the staff does everything it can to counter that.

“We always try to maintain a spirit of positive-ness,” he says.

About The Doctors

While Dr. Duga established the practice in 1998, he says working with Dr. Feeney — as he has since she joined the practice in 2005 and became his partner in 2009 — gives children the option to choose the dentist with whom they feel more comfortable.

“I really appreciate having Dr. Feeney here,” he says with a smile. “If a kid is struggling to connect with me, maybe the next visit he or she might want to go to Dr. Feeney. We do everything we can to keep the children comfortable.”

Both doctors are Board-certified pediatric dentists.

Dr. Duga earned his DDS degree from the Marquette University School of Dentistry in Milwaukee, and then worked as a general dentist in Milwaukee. He went on to earn his Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry in New Orleans.

Dr. Feeney earned her Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from the University of Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford, after receiving her DMD degree from the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in Boston.

The doctors encourage their young (usually from age 1 up to about age 18) patients to come in every six months to maintain good dental health.

They provide examinations, cleanings, sealant placement, tooth repairs (such as fillings and crowns), as well as cosmetic whitening and orthodontic alignments.

“We do continuous growth evaluation, bite evaluation, and provide guidance through early orthodontic care,” explains Dr. Duga. The practice also offers braces and Invisalign invisible aligners for its patients, although they do also refer some patients to orthodontic offices, when needed.

For a child who has special needs or is too young to cooperate, a parent can choose sedation dentistry. An anesthesiologist comes in to safely manage the sedation, so the dentist can focus on fixing the teeth and getting them healthy.

“We do accept dental insurance, but we’re not an insurance-driven office,” says Dr. Duga. “Insurance is a contract for paying bills, not healthcare.”

The staff will gladly help patients and potential new patients understand their insurance benefits.

Happy Patients

“I’ve seen kids since they were one or two and now they’re going off to college,” says Dr. Duga. “You get to know these families. It’s been a wonderful thing.”

Atiya Young brings her four children to Dr. Duga and Dr. Feeney. In fact, her oldest, age 18, just came in for his regular cleaning and checkup before leaving for college.

“We started seeing Dr. Duga when he was one,” says Atiya, whose other kids are 15, 12 and 9. “They have friendly customer service and are very clean and organized. I love how they speak to them on their level, how patient they are with them.

Her daughter, Brooklyn, says she actually likes going to the dentist.

“You walk in and they’re so nice to you and so welcoming,” says Brooklyn.

Atiya says her kids like the perks, too, such as fun in the lobby — including video games — and TV screens and headphones in the chair, plus picking flavors for their toothpaste and being rewarded with a small toy at the end of each visit.

Atiya says one of her daughters has special needs. “They treat her no different than my other kids,” she says. “I have no concerns about them seeing her or caring for her. They just embrace her and meet all of her needs. They just love all my kids so much.”

Dan Paone lives in Arbor Greene and also brings his kids to Drs. Duga and Feeney. His children are ages 8, 9, and 10 and are in various stages of their orthodontic treatment. Like Atiya’s kids, they have only ever been to one dental office their whole lives.

“We like that our kids have had one pediatric dentist from the time we first took them to the dentist, including orthodontics,” Dan says. “It’s great that we don’t have to go anywhere else.”

Dan says that while he appreciates how “fantastic” Dr. Duga is with his kids, and that he also is great about communicating with parents, too, such as when he analyzes x-rays and explains to Dan exactly what treatments his kids might need in the future.

“I definitely recommend Dr. Duga and I wish we had someone like him when I was a kid,” Dan says. “Actually, I wish I had an adult dentist like him.”

Dr. Duga, Dr. Feeney & Associates is located at 15293 Amberly Dr. To learn more about the practice, visit DrDugaDrFeeney.com or call (813) 631-1100 to schedule an appointment or find out about your insurance/payment options.

children duga