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, InvisalignÂź 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 Invisalign¼ 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. 

Sindbad Is Now Open In Former Bang-Bang! Bowls Location In The Pebble Creek Collection

Although we told you it was getting ready to open last issue, the second Sindbad Tampa restaurant — which features smoothies, juices, crepes, desserts, cakes, ice cream and more — is now open in the former location of Bang-Bang! Bowls in the Pebble Creek Collection (19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Suite C-2). 

The original Sindbad location is at 10933 N. 56th St. in Temple Terrace, and while the shop has a Middle Eastern-sounding name (Sindbad the Sailor is a fictional character from Baghdad), owners Laith Mahdawe and his wife Raghad Alkalide (who are Middle Eastern; top left photo), say their daughter-in-law, who is Mexican, was the inspiration for Sindbad’s many Mexican and Latin juices and other menu items. 

Although the new Sindbad was only open for two weeks at our press time and didn’t yet have all of its menu available, photographer Charmaine George and I definitely were impressed with the store’s incredible array of fresh fruits and veggies (photo below) that Laith and Raghad use to make fresh smoothies and juice drinks. We did also sample a few beverages, including a banana-strawberry smoothie (so fresh!) and a pure watermelon breeze juice served in a half of a small watermelon (Charmaine loved it). Sindbad also features juice drinks specifically created to help with everything from kidney stones to memory loss to indigestion (bottom left photo). 

We also enjoyed two dessert items — a slice of chocolate cheesecake with a scoop of fresh Hershey’s strawberry ice cream, and an unexpectedly delicious croissant ice cream sandwich filled with caramel ice cream. Both of the desserts were served with whipped cream and a couple of fresh strawberries. Both Hershey’s ice cream flavors we sampled (there are about a dozen flavors, and soon to also be served with Sindbad waffles), were creamy and tasty. 

For more info, visit “Sinbad Tampa” on Facebook or call (813) 443-9692 and please tell Laith and Raghad I sent you! — GN 

Silva’s Coffee Grind For Real New York Bagels, Breakfast & Lunch! 

Silva’s Coffee Grind owners Hiram & Angela Silva invite you to visit their trailer in front of One-Stop Landscape Supply on S.R. 54 for yummy sandwiches like the pastrami & Swiss (below right) or the egg white triple stack (below left). (Photos by Charmaine George)

A few months ago, when we first told you about Hiram and Angela Silva’s new Silva’s Coffee Grind (located in front of One-Stop Landscape Supply on S.R. 54, a little west of Morris Bridge Rd.), Hiram had told us that he was planning to expand his menu, based on his own creativity, as well as on customer requests. 

“I’ve always loved to cook,” Hiram says. “I’m just having fun with this menu. Obviously, our kitchen inside the trailer isn’t big, so I’m a little limited, but I’ve already added a couple of new items.” 

Hiram says his favorite new item is the egg white triple stack pesto delight (left photo). It offers at least two eggs worth of egg whites, plus juicy turkey, Swiss cheese, fresh green leaf lettuce and Angela’s homemade mayo-pesto spread — and you also can add crispy bacon to it for just $2 more. 

My personal favorite new item, however, is the Boar’s Head pastrami & Swiss topped with sauerkraut, pickles and Thousand Island dressing. I had it the way it’s shown here (below right), on three slices of rye toast, but I definitely plan to try it on a sesame or everything bagel next time. It comes with a free bag of chips, too. 

As I mentioned in my first “Nibbles & Bytes” item about Silva’s back in October, I definitely felt close to these fellow New Yawkas from the get-go, especially because it was obvious how much care Hiram puts into his food. His fried egg, bacon and American (or Swiss) cheese breakfast “sammie” on a toasted sesame bagel definitely reminds me of home. And yes, Hiram is happy to make your egg sandwich with scrambled eggs or even egg whites and put it on a fresh croissant (Jannah’s favorite). 

In addition to the pastrami, I’m also partial to Silva’s turkey pesto BLT and tuna salad sandwiches (the tuna comes with a bag of chips, too). 

And, even though I’m mainly a coffee guy — and Silva’s has delicious brewed coffee (available with flavor shots, like vanilla or caramel) — there also are espresso drinks like hot or iced cappuccinos, lattes, mochas and cafe con leches, hot chocolate, a variety of hot or iced teas, lemonade and smoothies made with real fruit purĂ©e, creamy smoothies like toasted marshmallow, lavender and pumpkin spice, as well as vanilla, caramel, double mocha or green tea matcha drinks. Mango or strawberry bursting bobas also can be added to your cold beverage or smoothie. There’s even handmade fruit sorbets. 

But, the one item I haven’t tried yet that I promise I will sample on my next visit is an espresso affogato, which is two scoops of vanilla ice cream with a double shot of espresso poured over it, whipped cream, chocolate syrup and a sprinkle of cookie crumble. Is it a drink? Is it a dessert? YES! 

You also can order a dozen or half-dozen of Silva’s real NY bagels (below) that will be ready for pick-up in 2-3 days. I promise they’re legit — and so are their Silva’s Coffee Grind gift cards! 

Silva’s Coffee Grind is located at 34100 S.R. 54 and is open Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday. It is closed on Sunday. For more information, search “Silvas Coffee Grind” on Facebook or “@ Silvas.coffee. grind” on Instagram. Also, see the ad below for a coupon that gets you 10% off all food and beverages at Silva’s. And please remember to tell Angela and Hiram I sent you! 

Angela makes your favorite coffee drinks and also can sell you a Silva’s gift card.

Raising Cane’s Set To Open Tomorrow (Tuesday, January 28)!

Raising Cane’s, the Baton Rouge, LA-based fast casual fried chicken chain founded by Todd Graves in 1996 that serves only fried chicken fingers (also available on a sandwich), crinkle-cut fries, Texas toast and cole slaw, will open tomorrow at 10 a.m. (at 25934 S.R. 54, Lutz, next to Rock & Brews), as previously announced in the print editions of the Neighborhood News. And we know a lot of you are pretty excited about it!

We were invited to attend the restaurant’s soft pre-opening VIP event earlier today and I have to say that we were all pretty impressed. Yes, the menu is simple, but it’s done right — the chicken fingers are lightly seasoned (NOT at all spicy!), super-crispy outside and moist on the inside. The fries are crispy and tasty (and seemingly not seasoned, other than lightly salted, which I appreciate), the Texas toast is legit and the cole slaw is creamy and has just a hint of sweetness. 

If you only like spicy chicken, this is not the place for you, as even the Thousand Island-style Cane’s sauce offers no heat at all. But, if you like your chicken extra crispy and tasty, Raising Cane’s is definitely worth visiting!

For more info, stop in tomorrow anytime from 10 a.m.-1 a.m., visit RaisingCanes.com or call (813) 559-3590 — and please tell them the Neighborhood News sent you!

SOAR Co-Working In Tampa Palms — New Location Has Affordable Spaces & Perks! 

If you’re looking to rent a new office that allows you to host occasional meetings in a full-sized conference room — without the expense of a long-term office lease — you should definitely visit SOAR Co-Working in the Tampa Palms Professional Center. (Photos by Charmaine George) 

If you’ve outgrown working from home or miss the camaraderie of being in an office with other people, SOAR Co-Working offers not only affordable workspaces for small businesses and remote employees, but a sense of community, too. 

SOAR Co-Working, located in the Tampa Palms Professional Center near I-75, just off of the Bruce B. Downs Blvd. exit, brings workers together in an environment that provides many of the benefits of working in a traditional office, but at a much lower cost, and with some unexpected advantages. 

“It’s a quiet, professional, serene space and has a beautiful deck that looks out over Primrose Lake,” says Tampa Palms Professional Center partner Gar Urette. “SOAR is about 4,500 square feet and is probably our premier space in the whole place,” which has a total of 140,000-sq.-ft. of mixed-use office space in 26 buildings. 

While many think of the co-working model as shared space where people drop in as needed – and SOAR does offer that option – Gar says this location has turned out to be much more popular for people who want to rent an exclusive space on a monthly basis. 

Marketing manager Amber Peterson is happy to show you everything that SOAR Co-Working has to offer, including private cubicles (above), the lakeside outdoor break area (below right) & even the available private offices (below left).

Clients can choose a private office with a door, a cubicle with locking filing cabinets and even a shared “hot space” (with an array of smaller cubicles). The private spaces can be personalized by the tenants for as long as they are leased, which could be for as little as a month or as long as a year, and those leases can be renewed. 

That flexibility has created a comfortable office dynamic among people who go to work every day in the same office, grab coffee in the break room together, and ask about each other’s families, while working for different companies and organizations. 

“It’s designed for people who want to get out of the house,” says Gar. “as well as for those who get tired of staring at the same four walls working from home and want a sense of community, or for those who have a road job and need someplace to sit and work or conduct meetings with clients, and don’t want to be meeting in their living room or at a Starbucks.” 

For Jacey Feiler, an executive assistant for a marketing firm called Grow Nearby, coming to work every day at SOAR has been ideal. With a global team supporting the marketing firm’s operations, Grow Nearby’s U.S. team works out of SOAR. 

“It’s way more affordable than renting an entire building,” Jacey says. “There are amenities we don’t have to pay for, like coffee and snacks, a beautiful deck outside, a free printing station, mailboxes, utilities and high-speed internet. All we have to worry about one small monthly payment and everything gets taken care of.” 

Tampa Palms Professional Center marketing manager Amber Peterson oversees the co-working space. Jacey says that Amber goes above and beyond to ensure a positive environment. 

Amber plans events to build community among the co-workers at SOAR, such as a pizza night or inviting everyone to share their favorite cookies for National Cookie Day. 

“I feel like we’ve fostered a sense of community here,” Amber says. “I’m working hard to make sure everyone’s comfortable talking with me about issues or requests that come up. We can talk on a professional level, and I like connecting and getting to know people, too.” 

There are currently three private offices with windows that overlook the lake, with two more to be added soon. There also are 18 large cubicles referred to as “dedicated desks,” as well as the shared “hot space” for eight more people on a first-come, first-served basis. 

There also are two meeting rooms available by reservation, a break room with coffee and tea, bathrooms and the wraparound deck outside, which Amber says is great for taking a phone call or for eating lunch. 

“Every membership has mail included with a business address at our space,” Amber adds, “and even our lowest tier includes use of the conference room for a couple of hours a month.” 

She says clients love that the month-to-month commitment isn’t a long-term obligation. 

But, in the few months since Aug. 1, when SOAR moved into the Tampa Palms Professional Center, Amber says, “We haven’t had anyone leave.” 

Prior to the move, SOAR Co-Working had been located just down the road on Commerce Park Blvd., across from Freedom High. When that lease expired and the building’s owner didn’t allow SOAR to renew, SOAR’s founder and former owner retired. Instead of closing, SOAR moved into and became managed by the Professional Center. 

It was a move that made sense. The Professional Center previously offered only larger spaces and longer-duration leases, with a minimum of a one-year rental. 

“We used to have a symbiotic relationship, where if someone only needed a space for a couple of months, we’d send them to SOAR,” explains Gar, “and if someone at SOAR was growing and needed more space, they would send them to us.” 

He adds that his team was already experienced at moving people around Tampa Palms Professional Center, upscaling and downscaling clients as needed, but couldn’t accommodate a part-time desk or monthly lease. That flexibility is available now. 

And, of course, as SOAR co-workers’ businesses grow, if they need their own space, they can move seamlessly into the office park. 

“I don’t know of any other coworking facility that is able to do that,” Gar says. 

While Jacey says the dynamic is friendly and community-focused, it’s also respectful. “Seeing everyone being super passionate about what they do makes me want to work harder,” she says. “We all kind of feed off each other’s productivity.” 

She adds that she feels lucky to work in a place where she likes to come to work every day. 

And, Amber sees the dynamic in the space every day and wants to keep it that way. 

“It’s so much like working in a traditional office,” she says, “but with people working for different companies. Sometimes I walk in and see people from three or four different businesses laughing in one person’s cubicle. It’s very uplifting.” 

SOAR Co-Working is located at 17425 Bridge Hill Ct., Suite 100, in the Tampa Palms Professional Center. For more info, visit SOARCo-Working.com or call (813) 498-1932.