Meet the Team – Hallandale

Dr. Nathalie Vera has spent the majority of her life in Fort Lauderdale since emigrating from Colombia at the age of four. She attended Nova Southeastern University where she was the youngest student in her class to receive a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree in 2009. Dr. Vera is educated in the latest advancements of general, cosmetic and reconstructive dentistry, Lumineers, Dental Implantology and osseointegration, Invisalign, Six Month Smiles cosmetic braces, and orthodontics.

Dr. Wisdom Akpaka D.D.S. completed his Doctorate in Dental Surgery program at the New York University College of Dentistry. After initially practicing in Ohio, he relocated to South Florida. Dr. Wisdom has demonstrated a commitment to postdoctoral studies by already completing advanced courses in endodontics (root canal treatment), restoration of dental implants, crown and bridge restorations, surgical dental extractions, bone grafting, and surgical placement of dental implants. He is a certified provider of Invisalign orthodontics and has expertise in veneers, cosmetic bonding, crowns to restore damaged teeth, and the replacement of missing teeth. He carefully designs smile makeovers with lasting results that are as conservative and affordable as possible. Dr. Wisdom is a member of the American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, and the Academy of General Dentistry. He stays active by enjoying golfing and also dancing the bachata, salsa and merengue.

Dr. Dayron Baez is a fourth-generation dentist on his mother’s side. Throughout his childhood, he told everyone that he wanted to be a dentist when he grew up-even before he knew what it meant to be a dentist. In college, Dr. Baez began to make his dream a reality excelling in his undergraduate classes. Dr. Baez graduated Cum-Lade, receiving his bachelor’s in biology from Florida International University. Scoring in the 90th percentile in his dental school entrance exam, he then decided to follow in his brother’s footsteps and make Nova Southeastern University the home where he would pursue his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree.

At NSU, Dr. Dayron Baez focused on his didactic and clinical skills, where he excelled and was placed in advanced prosthodontics and endodontics curriculum. But the growth did not end there, after graduation Dr. Dayron Baez continues his dedication to his education and remains up-to-date on the latest advancements in his field with over 700 combined hours of continuing education courses.

At Smile Design Dental, Dr. Baez always looks at the mouth and teeth as an entire apparatus to understand the issue comprehensively. As a result of the comprehensive approach, he is able to help patients with the entirety of the issue, not just the ongoing symptoms, to ensure long-term oral health. Each patient receives the care and respect that they deserve. The Smile Design family relish in the time spent getting to know patients and applying the combined wisdom to provide the most complete care possible.

When Dr. Baez is not in the office, you can find him near a large body of water while his fiancé, Dr. Yesenia Fernandez-Riera, soaks up all the sun with their fur baby, Annie!

Bio Coming Soon

Dr. Diaz Abreu was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Miami, Fl. She attended the University of Florida to receive her bachelor’s in psychology and minor in innovation. Shortly after, she traded her flip-flops for snow boots and headed to the Midwest to complete her Doctor of Dental Surgery from Marquette University in Milwaukee Wisconsin.

Dr. Diaz Abreu is a proud member of the American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, and National Dental Association

Outside of work, she is a foodie at heart. Even though she doesn’t aspire to be a sommelier she does enjoy wine tasting or drinking tea in the nearest coffee shop with family and friends.