Law Offices Of Matthew Jowanna — Your Local Personal Injury & Estate Planning Firm 

Attorneys Farral A. Haber (left) & Matthew J. Jowanna of The Law Office of Matthew J. Jowanna, P.A., located off Bruce B. Downs Blvd. in Wesley Chapel, specialize in personal injury law & estate planning. (Photo by Charmaine George) 

The Law Offices of Matthew J. Jowanna, P.A., have been serving the legal needs of Wesley Chapel and New Tampa since 2005. The firm, located at the Windguard Professional Center off Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. in Wesley Chapel (near The Goddard School), specializes in personal injury, probate and estate planning and administration. 

Attorney Matthew J. Jowanna has been practicing law for more than 30 years and has specialized in personal injury cases since 1994. The firm’s founder, president and managing shareholder, Jowanna says his experience working in large law firms in downtown Tampa inspired him to do things differently. He says his goal since opening his firm has been to make that big downtown law firm experience accessible to people in New Tampa, Wesley Chapel and the surrounding communities. Jowanna wants his clients to know that his is a quality local law firm focused on professional, caring service. 

“I wanted to open a small neighborhood law firm,” Jowanna explains, “where people in the local communities are able to get top-quality legal representation.” 

In order to expand the services Jowanna’s firm offers to clients, he recently added Farral A. Haber as managing attorney for estate planning and probate. Haber has been practicing law for thirteen years, with ten years specifically in trusts and estates. Together, Jowanna and Haber offer a wealth of experience to their clients. 

“We don’t do everything under the sun,” Jowanna says, “but our practice areas now include some of the most common needs in the neighborhood — we’re here as neighbors to help you with the typical legal problems that you and your neighbors may have.” 

When it comes to injury cases, whether someone gets hurt in a car accident, while on vacation or in the workplace, The Law Offices of Matthew J. Jowanna can assist you. Jowanna also helps clients who are having problems receiving their deserved injury benefits from insurance companies. 

Meanwhile, Haber’s estate planning and probate specialization helps clients with creating wills, living trusts, making plans for their estates and probate cases. Regardless of which services you require, Jowanna and Haber make every effort to meet those needs, and also make accommodations for their clients’ financial needs. 

“People shouldn’t have to drive to downtown Tampa for quality legal representation,” Jowanna says. “Every client is important and every case is different.” 

Jowanna earned his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Broadcasting and Mass Communications from the University of South Florida in Tampa. He worked for several Tampa Bay area radio and television stations for seven years before pursuing his law degree. He then obtained his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale and graduated Summa Cum Laude (with Highest Honors), in the top 2% of his law school class. He also completed a prestigious postdoctoral Legum Magister (LL.M., or “Master of Laws”) degree from the University of Notre Dame, in Notre Dame, IN, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude (with High Honors) and received a perfect score on his LL.M. thesis. 

Jowanna’s first job out of law school was for an insurance defense firm, which helped him realize that insurance defense wasn’t where he wanted to spend his career. 

“It’s the opposite of what I do now,” he explains. “Doing that made me realize that I was on the wrong side of the fence, and I would prefer to be on the plaintiff side to help someone in their claim against a big insurance company.” He says he is appreciative of the knowledge he gained from seeing the other side, and that it has given him added insight when working with clients who are going up against insurance companies. 

Jowanna and his firm have been included in U.S. News & World Report’s rankings of the Best Lawyers and Best Law Firms in the U.S. He also is included in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, a unique guide to the legal community’s preeminent professionals who have received the highest ratings, according to the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. 

Tampa is ranked in the top-10 worst cities for drivers. Therefore, if you drive regularly in the Tampa Bay area, you have most likely witnessed an accident, its aftermath, or have possibly been involved in a collision yourself. Jowanna shares the following advice as to what to do if you find yourself in that situation. 

“I tell every client to take care of yourself first,” says Jowanna. “Your injuries obviously come first; the legal claim will be there afterwards. If you get into your typical fender bender and still have your wits about you, you should take photographs. A picture is worth a thousand words. Document, document, document!” 

Clients truly appreciate the way the firm advises them and goes above and beyond, even in the most challenging scenarios — as evidenced by its 4.9-star (out of 5) overall rating on Google on more than 50 reviews. And, while it is a neighborhood practice, the attorneys and legal staff can assist you even when you are far from home. 

In a five-star review on Google, Alexander Hunter says, “They handled my accident claim with incredible patience, even though I had to process everything from overseas. The team took the time to explain every step in detail and negotiated on my behalf when issues arose with different medical providers. Their professionalism and commitment to my case made a stressful situation so much easier.” 

The Estate Planning Side 

Helping folks during difficult and emotional times is an aspect of the work that Haber says she finds most rewarding. Working in probate and estate law, Haber helps clients both prepare for their own futures, as well as wrap up the affairs of someone who has passed. She helps clients with the process of figuring out exactly how an estate is to be administered, locating assets, discerning whether a court needs to be involved, as well as explaining what paperwork needs to be filed. 

Haber earned her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Psychology from the University of Florida in Gainesville, Cum Laude (with distinction). She was the Valedictorian of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She then earned her Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, Cum Laude, from the University of Florida, Levin College of Law. 

While in law school, Haber received the Book Award for the highest grade in Trial Practice; she also was the Executive Articles Editor for the UF Journal of Law & Public Policy and was a Certified Legal Intern with the State Attorney’s office. She is licensed to practice law in Florida, Virginia and the District of Columbia. 

While Haber initially started out as a litigator, after a few years, she chose to focus on estate planning and probate. “What I love about estate planning,” she says, “ is that it is something that everybody needs, and yet it is so easy to put off. I enjoy demystifying the process for folks and explaining things, making it approachable and customizing it to what a client actually wants, then seeing those goals put into practice.” 

Haber adds that she encourages people to plan ahead of time, and to not be afraid of the process. “People avoid it or dig their head in the sand because they don’t understand what it entails,” she says. Her goal is to make estate planning more approachable for clients and to help them get something in place, even if it is a step-by-step process that takes a few years. 

Jowanna says Haber’s talents are a great addition to the practice. “We are simply thrilled to have Farral joining us,” Jowanna says. “I hope the clients are as thrilled with her as we are.” 

While both Jowanna and Haber say they see growth of the firm as a goal, they are clear about what they want that growth to look like. “I never want to get so big that I don’t remember a client’s name and I don’t remember their file,” explains Jowanna, to which Haber adds, “I certainly want to assist as many folks as I can, but I never want to sacrifice quality.” 

The Law Offices of Matthew J. Jowanna, P.A., are located at 2521 Windguard Cir. For more information, call (813) 929-7300 or visit LetMattDoThat.com. 

You Can Trust Your Smile To The Caring Dentists At San Antonio Dental Care! 

The friendly, professional staff at San Antonio Dental Care is led by dentists Dr. Kim Tran-Nguyen (above center & photo below) and Dr. Lou Cerillo (to her right above), on Curley St. in San Antonio, just north of Wesley Chapel. (Photos by Charmaine George)

San Antonio Dental Care has been keeping patients in the Wesley Chapel/San Antonio area smiling with incredible care and skilled dentists for the past 15 years. Currently located on Curley St., off C.R. 52, just north of Wesley Chapel, the practice was started by local general dentist Louis Cerillo, D.D.S., who has had a practice in the Tampa Palms community of New Tampa for more than 30 years. 

A year ago, Kim Tran-Nguyen, D.M.D., joined the team and, together with their team, the dentists take care of patients’ various dental needs, including corrective, restorative and emergency dental care. San Antonio Dental Care can help whether you need a regular check-up, teeth whitening, a crown, Invisalign® aligners, dentures, oral surgery or cosmetic dental services. 

As the first dental practice located in San Antonio, Dr. Cerillo says that opening his second office in that community was actually due to a patient’s persistence and determination. 

“We had our original practice in Tampa Palms, and we had patients and team members that lived in [San Antonio],” explains Dr. Cerillo. “We started having patients come to us from this area and one patient told me that I needed to set up a practice there.” He says that even though it all started as something of a joke, since the patient was just hoping she wouldn’t have to drive as far to see him. 

However, when Dr. Cerillo told her he’d do it if she could find a place where that office could be located, the patient took him up on that offer. and got back to him a few months later to let him know she had found an office for him. Less less than six months after that, the San Antonio office was up and running. 

“We opened in 2009,” Dr. Cerillo says. “There was no dentist up here, other than in Dade City,. We were originally in a small office up the road, it was a home that a veterinarian had converted to their vet practice. But then, [the vet practice] outgrew the building and built a new office. We moved in and put a dental office in there.” 

Dr. Cerillo’s practice was located in that small, three-bedroom house until 2018, when it also had outgrown that original space. The current location, which previously was a Wells Fargo Bank, provided the room needed for Dr. Cerillo’s growing clientele. 

Dr. Tran-Nguyen was excited to join San Antonio Dental Care a year ago, in large part due to the reputation of Dr. Cerillo, along with seeing the positive environment he had built at the practice. 

“He has been working here for a long time,” Dr. Tran-Nguyen shares. “And, when I first came here, I felt like the team had nothing but good things to say about what he has done for the community. He has built the practice. It was important for me to work with someone who has the same amount of care that I want to give to people.” 

And, it’s not just the dentists that are involved in helping patients, it is a team effort — from the dental assistants and hygienists, to all the people who work in the front office. 

“It is something that has to be built and takes time,” she says. Dr. Cerillo adds that her experience, training, conscientiousness, meticulousness and focus have made her a great addition to the practice. 

Originally from Miami, Dr. Tran-Nguyen knew she wanted to explore other cities after graduating from high school. She attended the University of Florida in Gainesville for her undergraduate and graduate studies. After receiving her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Biology, she completed her Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree from the school’s College of Dentistry. She then completed a General Practice Residency at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull, located in Brooklyn, NY, and has been practicing dentistry for almost eight years. 

Cosmetic dentistry and surgical dental implants are two of Dr. Tran-Nguyen’s specialties and she says she enjoys how dentistry utilizes her varied skills. “I get to use my creative side, because I get to do cosmetics,” she explains. “I’m making people healthier, but I am also helping them have a prettier smile. I feel like it is a good balance of both science and art.” 

Dr. Tran-Nguyen’s love of the work, desire to go above and beyond and her obvious passion for lifelong learning were additional factors that made it clear to Dr. Cerillo that she would be a good fit for the practice. For example, she completed more than 100 hours of continuing education, which was more than three times the State of Florida’s requirement. “I’m always learning,” she says. “I take a lot of continuing education, more than what is required by the state. I’m always trying to better myself so that I can provide better quality care for the patients.” 

Dr. Tran-Nguyen also says that her initial decision to pursue the field of dentistry was inspired by both her older sister being a dentist as well as her positive experiences with her family dentist. 

“I had a really good relationship with my dentist when I was younger,” she shares. “He always knew the ins and outs with me and my family, and was very personable. I felt like there was actually a solid connection and I found that to be really important to me. I want to be able to connect with people and I would like to break down the barriers for people who are afraid to come to the dentist.” 

That sense of connection, and service to the community, comes across in the approach of both dentists in their work, as well as their interactions with clients and the neighborhood. And, the practice’s patients are appreciative of the excellent service they provide. 

“This has by far been the best dental office I have ever visited,” says patient Julie Crocker. “The staff is warm and friendly and genuinely cares for their patients. Even though they are professional, they also are so very personable. Walking in the door feels like visiting family. I actually cried when I saw my new smile.” 

Patient Kathy Marino also shares her recommendations for San Antonio Dental Care: “They are the greatest team. They always make me feel very comfortable and confident.” 

For all the staff at San Antonio Dental Care, maintaining rapport and positive relationships with clients and the community is a priority. 

“As you look at the growth of the [local] community, we’ve grown at the same rate,” says Dr. Cerillo. “So, it’s been really good to be here, and I’m proud we were the first dental office here.” 

San Antonio Dental Care is located at 11938 Curley St., and is open Mon. & Wed., 7a.m.- 3 p.m.; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. on Tues. and Thur.; and 8 a.m.-1 p.m. on Fri. For more info, visit SanAntonioDentalCareFL.com or call (352) 668- 4819. Dr. Cerillo’s Somerset Dental Care is located at 15277 Amberly Dr. For more info, visit SomersetDentalCareFL.com, or call (813) 971-1688. 

Apex Internal Medicine’s Dr. Satodiya Provides Personalized Primary Care For Adults 

The team at Apex Internal Medicine of Tampa, located in the Cory Lake Professional Center on Cross Creek Blvd. in New Tampa, includes (l.-r.) medical assistants Jennifer Araujo and Leticia Jerguson and Dr. Mukesh Satodiya. (Photos by Charmaine George) 

Dr. Mukesh Satodiya opened Apex Internal Medicine of Tampa three years ago to serve the community and neighborhood that he lives in and loves. The primary care practice is located in the Cory Lake Professional Center on Cross Creek Blvd. in New Tampa, minutes from Wesley Chapel. 

Working with a wide range of adult patients is something that Dr. Satodiya appreciates about his location and clientele. 

“It’s a mixed population, a mix of ethnicities, working people to retired, 18-year-olds to seniors,” he says. “A broad spectrum from the medical practice point of view.” 

Dr. Satodiya’s 15+ years of practicing medicine, along with his incredibly personable approach, serve his diverse clientele well. Board-certified in Internal Medicine, he earned a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree from B. J. Medical College in Ahmedabad, India, in 1999. He completed his residency training in internal medicine in 2007 at Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, NJ. 

His previous experience includes working in both a hospital environment, as well as with a corporate medical practice. Dr. Satodiya says that having his own practice allows him to focus on the level of patient care, which is what matters most to him. Born and raised in India, his decision to become a doctor was inspired by his view of it as a noble profession focused on helping others. 

“Our main purpose is to offer more personal care, rather than treating a certain number of patients per day,” explains Dr. Satodiya. “Most of our patients like that we’re not a huge office, and they know me personally, as well as the staff. And we know them.” 

That extra level of interaction and accessibility makes it easier for patients to feel comfortable reaching out to the office when they have needs or concerns. Dr. Satodiya and his staff make sure to always get back to patients promptly. 

“They will hear back quickly,” he says. “Either from my medical assistant or I will call them back and talk to them myself. And, if we need to see them, we see them as early as possible, either the same day or the next day.” 

He knows these are important things that patients often find frustrating about their experiences at larger medical offices with multiple providers. Administrative details and goals set by insurance companies or corporate offices, often can be the priority in those types of environments. 

“It’s easy for anybody to set these goals and deadlines and say these are the things we need to focus on,” Dr. Satodiya says. “Then, between all these other influences, sometimes the quality of care for the patient is not the best.” 

Patients definitely notice the difference in the care at Apex Internal Medicine. For example, patient Joe Spoto found out about the Apex office a couple of years ago, and has been with Dr. Satodiya ever since. 

“I’ve stuck with him because he listens to you,” Spoto says. “He doesn’t rush you through your appointment. You’re not just limited to one topic if you have more than one thing going on. And, he’s nice! I’ve had doctors that rush you in and rush you out, but he’s been great. I really appreciate him.” 

Dr. Satodiya understands that providing primary care requires more than a cookie cutter approach. That’s why the office tailors the length of appointments to allow him to have an adequate amount of time with each patient. 

“Especially when we talk about senior care, we do need more time sometimes,” explains Dr. Satodiya. “[The elderly] have a lot of concerns, they are taking many medications and they may have more medical problems. Sometimes 30 or 35 minutes is not enough to address everything that we need.” 

Expert Care For Seniors 

An expert in senior care, Dr. Satodiya understands the common issues many elders face. He helps his patients improve their quality of life and works to keep them under control whenever possible. He sees the treatment of his patients as far more than just prescribing medications. 

“Education also is very important, because just a medication is not going to help them completely,” he says. “I try to make sure [my patients] know about their medical conditions and what else they can do, besides just taking their medication — whether it is diet, physical activity or if there is some monitoring or testing they can do at home — so they can take care of themselves better. We educate them on what to watch for, including potential side effects and how can we minimize their medication doses. That’s always better, because there are less side effects and complications for the patient.” 

Another priority at Apex Internal Medicine is providing resources to patients. For example, some senior patients have limited resources at home or may be living by themselves. Dr. Satodiya encourages them to call and reach out to the office whenever they are unsure of something, and he connects them to information and helpful organizations. 

He says, “We tell them where there are senior centers, community churches and other social places that will make them feel good and help them make new friends, rather than just always staying by themselves.” 

While Apex Internal Medicine sees patients ages 18 and up, the staff often finds that seniors are having more challenges, including navigating insurance, understanding the medication they are taking, as well as scheduling other procedures. 

“Let’s say they need X-rays or labs,” explains Dr. Satodiya. “The younger population can go online and find that stuff by themselves. But, some seniors have limited access to information. I train my staff to help them, give them more options and guide them.” 

Patients can have blood draws, urine tests, blood sugar checks, flu tests, Covid tests as well as electrocardiograms (EKGs) on-site at Apex, which also offers medical weight loss programs. When there is a time sensitive follow-up that needs to be done off-site, the staff will call and help set up the appointment for them. 

“That way it will be easier for the patient to go and get it done, rather than them having to figure it out by themselves,” Dr. Satodiya says. 

He recommends people not wait until they have problems to visit. Preventive care is ideal since small things taken care of early can help avoid future complications. He also says that regular check-ups are important for people of all ages. Even when someone is feeling fine and doesn’t have any symptoms, there could still be underlying conditions that have not reached a level that is noticeable. 

“There are certain undiagnosed conditions in the early stages that don’t have any red flags you can see,” explains Dr. Satodiya. “We encourage people to do their annual check-up. Young adults, seniors… we live in a very modern society where people don’t have time for themselves. Whether they are doing good or not, they may not know that they have very high cholesterol or high blood pressure and it’s not going to cause any symptoms until it’s something serious like a stroke or heart attack. If they let it go untreated and undiagnosed it could already be causing damage to their kidneys or their heart.” 

Dr. Satodiya also says he tells all of his patients to get more physically active daily, and puts that into practice himself. He walks, rides a bicycle and plays volleyball and badminton to stay active. He also enjoys spending quality time with his family. He recommends everyone get out in nature and do something that makes them feel good physically and mentally, rather than worrying about how many calories are being burned. 

“If you can’t do a lot, just do something!” he says. “It can be something simple, like walking around the house or the neighborhood.” 

Apex Internal Medicine of Tampa is accepting new patients and Dr. Satodiya would like to see more people coming to visit for regular check-ups, not just when something is wrong. 

Apex Internal Medicine of Tampa is located at 10353 Cross Creek Blvd., Suite D, in the Cory Lake Professional Center. It is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed for lunch from noon-1 p.m.), and evening appointments are available. The office accepts several major health insurance plans. To make an appointment or for more information, call (813) 725-4983 or visit ApexIMT.com.

Call Heat Wave Pressure Washing For Residential & Commercial Exterior Cleaning! 

Owner Brennan Vargas of Heat Wave Pressure Washing can make the exterior of your home or business look like new. (Photo By Charmaine George)

Whether you’re looking to bring the freshness back to the exterior of your home or business, Heat Wave Pressure Washing has got you covered! Based in Wesley Chapel, Heat Wave provides residential and commercial pressure washing services to customers located in Pasco, Polk, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. 

Owner Brennan Vargas, a Wesley Chapel High graduate, is dedicated to both his work and the company’s legacy. Brennan started in the pressure washing business as a summer job when he was 20 years old. Although it initially wasn’t something that he was particularly passionate about, Brennan says the inspirational influence and mentorship of the business’ previous owner, Christopher Brenner, showed him that he and the business could grow. 

Unsure of what he wanted to do at the time, Brennan asked his father Chris if he knew of anyone looking for help. When his father mentioned Brenner, who was in Chris’ networking group as a potential resource. At that time, Brennan says he couldn’t predict that the connection, and the summer job that came from it, would fuel his entrepreneurial growth and future. 

“Originally, when I first started working there, I was just looking for something to do over the summer,” Brennan recalls, “since I wasn’t planning on going to college.” 

Halfway into that first summer position, Brennan could see that Brenner really wanted to grow Heat Wave Pressure Washing. So, Brennan decided to stick around and help his boss with that endeavor. The positive work environment, and his appreciation for Brenner, led Brennan to continue with the company. He credits that relationship for teaching him to be the conscientious businessman that he is today. 

“[Brenner] taught me to be extremely meticulous, find a solution, do the research, don’t speak out of pocket, and come to the client with what you can do for them,” Brennan says. “And then, when you can’t do [something] for them, you help them figure that out.” 

That service-oriented, mindful approach shaped Brennan’s attention to detail and his desire to always provide stellar work during his seven years with the company. 

But then, when Brennan purchased Heat Wave in April of 2024, he kept the name to honor the legacy of Brenner, who passed away in 2023. The insights and lessons Brennan gained over the years, under Brenner’s tutelage, still guide his work ethic today. Those lessons also are obvious in the way Heat Wave Pressure Washing approaches every job. 

“Whether it’s paver sealing or pressure washing your house, it’s about preserving your investment,” Brennan explains, “and making sure that whoever is working on your property knows what they are doing, is using the right stuff, isn’t going to kill a bunch of plants, or alter the color of your paint. When we’re cleaning a roof, for example, we’re covering everything [below it] that is delicate. We put bags on the bottom gutters for collection. We always go the extra mile.” 

Those are just some of the precautions that Brennan and his team of technicians take at Heat Wave Pressure Washing. They also do everything they can to protect any wildlife at the site, by choosing cleaning products carefully, as well as checking for nests and animal burrows. Looking out for the property’s landscaping and fauna is part of that preparation, too. 

(Before & After photos, provided by Brennan)

While Heat Wave incorporates these and other mindful practices, Brennan shares that he’s heard too many horror stories from too many of his customers who have had bad experiences with other companies. “I’ve met guys who’ve killed every single plant on a property,” he says, “and that can end up being like $8,000 to $10,000 to replace, over the cost of an $800 pressure washing job!” 

Protecting your investment from these mishaps is exactly why Heat Wave Pressure Washing exercises due diligence and takes precautionary measures ahead of time. Brennan says that using mainly soft washing, at low pressure, and using the proper solutions also are key. Since many of the solutions that take care of algae and mildew are chlorine bleach-based, they unfortunately also can kill plants. To avoid this potential outcome, the Heat Wave techs apply a neutralizer on nearby plants to protect them from chemical exposure. They also use a very diluted bleach-based solution that has a surfactant (surface-active agent) that helps it stick to surfaces. This keeps the solution from dripping all over and enables the team to use less solution in order to get surfaces clean. Covering less hearty plants with tarps is another especially important step the techs take when washing roofs. 

Brennan knows that attention to detail, and incorporating ongoing advances in the industry, will continue to add to the stellar services Heat Wave Pressure Washing already provides. 

“I’m a bit of a nerd sometimes,” he admits. “I really like the idea of innovation. Since I’ve taken over, I’ve purchased systems that allow me to control things more delicately, so that way I don’t need to use as much solution.” 

With an eye to the future, Brennan also says that he sees himself continuing to learn everything he can about how to make the work safer and more efficient. “Expanding the business, and improving how things are done, are my two big goals for the future,” he says. He adds that he is hoping to add more like-minded people to his team and would like to eventually franchise the business. 

Brennan stresses that pressure washing isn’t just something to consider for curb appeal before selling your home, or for when the homeowners association comes knocking at your door. He recommends that people consider his company’s services as part of their regular property maintenance routine. “Addressing issues immediately is one of the best things owners can do, especially when it comes to emergency clean-ups,” he says. 

Left unattended, potential issues can easily compound. Brennan describes an instance where a call from an elderly widow turned into a much bigger project than initially anticipated. 

“She hadn’t had anything taken care of in quite a few years,” he explains. “It was supposed to be just a simple pool cage and deck cleaning, but when we got back there, she had weeds as tall as her pool cage. It was genuinely like a jungle.” 

Brennan was undeterred by the challenge and went above and beyond. He rallied a couple of buddies — a landscaper and a pool cleaner — and together they tackled it all. They cleared the overgrowth, cleaned the pool and pool cage, and repainted the deck. True to the lessons he learned from Brenner, he gathered the necessary resources to address the client’s needs, which shows in the company’s online reviews. 

“I’m incredibly impressed with the fantastic job done by Heat Wave Pressure Washing! They transformed the exterior of my property, removing grime and dirt with their thorough and effective cleaning. The team’s attention to detail and dedication to delivering top-notch results truly stood out. I’m beyond satisfied with their service and would highly recommend Heat Wave to anyone in need of professional pressure washing.” – JaRhonda M. (on Yelp) 

That commitment and follow-through is what makes Heat Wave stand out. Whether for a residential property or a commercial business, Brennan Vargas and his team are ready to help. 

For more info about Heat Wave Pressure Washing, or to request an estimate, call (813) 693-5522, visit TampaWash.com or see the ad below. While most estimates can be done over the phone, Brennan says more complex jobs may require scheduling a visit to the site. 

Dr. Lou Cerillo Proudly Welcomes Dr. Danielle Jones To Somerset Dental Care! 

General dentists Dr. Louis Cerillo (left) and Dr. Danielle Jones are accepting new patients at Somerset Dental Care, located in the Somerset Professional Park in Tampa Palms. (Photos by Charmaine George) 

Helping patients smile is a priority for the dentists and staff at Somerset Dental Care, located in the Somerset Professional Park in Tampa Palms. The long-time practice of general dentist Louis Cerillo, D.D.S (it was previously known as Cerillo Family Dentistry), has expanded and now includes Dr. Cerillo, Danielle Jones, D.D.S., and Tamara Tavakoli, D.M.D. The trio has nearly 60 years of combined experience and offers a wide array of services that includes corrective, restorative and emergency dental services, as well as professional teeth whitening and cleaning. Whether you need a regular check-up, a crown, Invisalign® aligners, dentures, oral surgery or cosmetic dental services, Somerset Dental Care can help. 

Dr. Cerillo earned his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology from Creighton University in Omaha, NE, and his Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) degree from the Creighton University School of Dentistry. He then did a general practice, hospital-based residency at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Lincoln. Dr. Cerillo’s first job out of dental school was in New York City, but in 1988, he decided to move to Florida for the sun and warmth. 

He opened his first private practice office in the City Plaza at Tampa Palms shopping center in 1993, which means he has been taking care of some of his patients for more than 30 years. But, it is not just patients who have stuck around with him. Dr. Cerillo has several employees who have been working with him for 10-25 years, and several that retired after working their entire careers with the practice. That longevity has helped foster what Dr. Cerillo describes as a “relationship-based” versus a “transactional” practice. 

That long-term connection to the community, and his love for the work, were top of mind for Dr. Cerillo as he looked to add to his team. 

“I always want to make sure I have the right people in here to address the patients and care for them like I care for them,” explains Dr. Cerillo. 

A shared philosophy towards patient care, and her 15 years of experience, makes Danielle Jones, D.D.S., a terrific recent addition to Somerset Dental Care. During her time as a practice owner for Affordable Dentures & Implants in Clearwater, she provided services to veterans and the unhoused and gained valuable implant dentistry experience. She then transitioned to Heartland Dental, where she gained recognition for her outstanding veneer work. 

Throughout her career, Dr. Jones also made time to volunteer to provide dental care to underserved communities. Putting her skills to work in the service of others, and potentially changing their lives, is a huge motivator for Dr. Jones. “My goal is to always provide long-lasting, quality care for patients, make them comfortable and to serve and impact as many people as I can,” she says. 

After earning her Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Health Science from Truman State University in Kirksville, M), she earned her D.D.S. degree from the Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry in Nashville, TN. She completed her General Practice Residency at Kingsbrook Jewish Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY, before starting her career in public health. For five years, Dr. Jones worked for a Medicaid office serving the Florida panhandle communities of Fort Walton Beach and Crestview. Her experience working in public health showed her first-hand the rampant decay that can happen when dental issues go untreated. 

“Because of dental anxiety and financial strain, [many] people unfortunately neglect their teeth,” explains Dr. Jones. 

Both Dr. Cerillo and Dr. Jones see helping patients through that fear and anxiety as an important part of their role as dentists. They know that many people strongly dislike and avoid going to the dentist and, for that reason, they both put in extra effort to make their patients feel comfortable. 

After nearly four decades of private practice, Dr. Cerillo has seen his fair share of nervous patients. “I’ve dealt with a lot of phobic patients,” he says. “A lot of times they think they are going to come in and have a train wreck but it wasn’t as bad as they thought it would be.” 

Working over so many years has given Dr. Cerillo the opportunity to see patients move from that fear to finally being comfortable with dental visits. He encourages people who have been avoiding the dentist to take the initiative and meet the people providing their care. He hopes that stepping into the welcoming environment at Somerset Dental Care and working with the office’s friendly and caring staff will help put them at ease. 

Both dentists see humor and fun as a way to help put patients at ease and minimize their stress. They understand that laughing and joking with them can help ease their tension and keep the atmosphere fun and inviting. 

“I’m literally cracking jokes all day long,” Dr. Jones says, “because I’m trying to take you away from focusing on something that is, for one, outside of your control. A lot of anxiety is driven by trying to control something that you can’t. If I can make you more relaxed and kinda laugh through a dental appointment, then I have done my job for the day.” 

While they utilize humor to ease patients’ fears, Dr. Cerillo and Dr. Jones take their work very seriously. Smiles can influence first impressions, success, relationship satisfaction and even our own moods and confidence. Dental health also plays a bigger part in our overall health than most patients realize. 

“The mouth is the gateway to the rest of your body,” says Dr. Cerillo. “So obviously, the healthier your mouth is, the healthier the rest of your body will be, too.” 

Dr. Jones adds that there are multiple benefits to consistent dental visits and maintaining oral health. “A lot of people think it’s just the aesthetics,” she says, “but everything is intertwined. I think educating patients on the impact of your overall dental health and how it impacts your body is extremely important.” 

For example, she says, people who have issues with blood sugar and diabetes are more prone to gum disease and, in some instances, these problems have even been linked to stroke. 

“When patients don’t take care of their mouths,” Dr. Cerillo adds, “that bacteria can actually cause systematic [health] problems.” 

Advances in technology also are making visits to the dentist more efficient and patient-friendly and Dr. Cerillo says the practice has been highly technology-driven from the beginning. 

For example, Somerset Dental Care uses three-dimensional X-ray technology that utilizes a high-speed video scanning camera to take digital impressions of the mouth. This means that patients can receive crowns or Invisalign® aligners without the trays and goopy material that tastes terrible and can make some patients gag — and with better precision. It also enables dentists and patients to see how the teeth are oriented in the jaw. With this information, the dentists can plan out implant surgeries ahead of time and show their patients where the implant will be placed preoperatively. 

“We can virtually do a surgery before we even touch a patient,” explains Dr. Cerillo. “As the technology advances, it helps create a new standard of care.” 

That is key for Dr. Cerillo, who also leads San Antonio Dental Care north of Wesley Chapel, and who says he personally had to undergo a lot of dental work himself. He adds that not all dental issues are a matter of care and upkeep — some are hereditary. There are people whose teeth are skeletally not a good match. If the upper and lower jaw are incongruent sizes, that can create issues over time from constant wear and tear. 

Then, by the time these patients reach their 40s and beyond, the problem may require corrective surgery. Dr. Cerillo was one of those patients. He had to have corrective surgery at age 39 and braces to fix his bite, because it was so far off that it was causing him extreme jaw pain. 

“I’ve actually had more dental work done than ninety percent of my patients,” he says. 

Whether it is a regular check-up and cleaning or something more intensive, Somerset Dental Care is there to take care of patients’ overall dental health with compassion and a smile. And, as Dr. Jones says, “It just feels like family here.” 

Somerset Dental Care is located at 15277 Amberly Dr. and is open Monday-Thursday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m., and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Friday. For more information, visit SomersetDentalCareFL.com, call (813) 971-1688 or see the ad below. Dr. Cerillo’s San Antonio Dental Care is located at 11938 Curley St., off C.R. 52. For more info, call (352) 668-4819, or visit SanAntonioDentalCareFL.com.