Shantel recently traded Michigan’s chilly winters for Florida’s sunshine, making the move in March 2024. As a proud mom to a beautiful daughter, she cherishes spending quality time with her family. When she’s not assisting patients with their dental care, you can find her soaking up the sun at the beach, exploring local parks on long walks, or discovering new restaurants. Shantel is passionate about creating a welcoming and comfortable experience for every patient at Mai Dentistry.
About Dr. Thanh Mai, DMD
From the very beginning at the University of Alabama-Birmingham School of Dentistry, Dr. Mai prepared himself to be a premier dental caregiver and provide the most effective, personalized and comfortable treatments possible for his patients. Over the past 17 years, Dr. Mai’s expertise has grown to include virtually all restorative, preventive and cosmetic dental procedures and, when needed, in combination with various forms of conscious sedation, including intravenous. As a result, Dr. Mai has earned some of the highest patient ratings in the region.
Outside of his practice, Dr. Mai deeply enjoys personal time with his son, traveling and working on personal fitness.
About Dr. Francesca LaPace, DMD
Meet Dr. Maurici! She is a Tampa native and a true Gator fan, having attended the University of Florida School of Dentistry for her undergraduate studies, dental education, and her AEGD residency program. Dr. Maurici received extensive advanced training in her residency program in the art of enhancing her patient’s smiles, confidence, and overall systemic health. A positive and individualized experience is what she strives to attain with all of her patients.
In her free time, Dr. Maurici enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, cooking healthy meals, and going to the gym.
About Dr. Fadi Fares, DMD
Dr. Fares brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the field of dentistry. His journey began at Antonin University, where he earned a degree in Dental Laboratory Technology in 1988. He then moved to Tampa to further his education, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of South Florida in 1991. In 1995, Dr. Fares graduated with his Doctor of Dental Medicine from Boston University, where he was honored with the Organization of Teachers of Oral Diagnosis Award.
During his dental studies, Dr. Fares completed an externship at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT, providing dental care to cadets and veterans. This formative experience deepened his commitment to delivering high-quality care to his patients. Today, Dr. Fares is certified in moderate parenteral sedation by the Florida Board of Dentistry, allowing him to offer sedation dentistry and ensure patient comfort during a wide range of dental procedures.
Dr. Fares is widely recognized for his meticulous attention to detail in cosmetic dentistry, having transformed thousands of smiles. He collaborates closely with the medical community to provide exceptional patient care and maintains a strong dedication to continuous learning. By regularly attending continuing education seminars, he stays at the forefront of advancements in dental technology and materials.
Dr. Fares also has a special interest in treating Obstructive Sleep Apnea with oral appliances, helping his patients achieve better sleep and improved overall health. A strong advocate for giving back to the community, Dr. Fares volunteers at various dental events each year, providing free dental care to those in need.
He is an active member of several esteemed professional organizations, including the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, the West Coast Dental Association, and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine.
Outside of his professional life, Dr. Fares enjoys spending time with his wife and two sons, traveling, and participating in family activities.
Carey
Regional Manager
Since joining our practice in 2014, Carey has been an important part of our team—driven by her passion for dentistry and helping patients feel comfortable and confident in their care.
Starting out as an Expanded Functions Dental Assistant, she’s grown into her role as Regional Manager, working behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly and support our amazing office teams.
When she’s not working, Carey enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her husband, Jordan, and their pets. You’ll often find them out hiking, on the water, or relaxing with a good movie night at home.
Brenda
Office Manager
Brenda is a proud mother of three children and grandmother to five wonderful grandkids. Originally from Northwest Arkansas, she moved to the St. Petersburg area in March 2024 to embrace the sun, sand, and beach lifestyle she loves.
Brenda joined our dental practice in April 2024, bringing her passion for helping others and her warm, friendly demeanor. Whether she’s managing the office or enjoying the beach, Brenda’s dedication and positive attitude shine through in everything she does.
Angelynn
Hygienist
Angelynn was raised in Honolulu, HI and moved to Florida at an early age. She has lived in FL for over 30 years. After several years of experience as a Registered Dental Hygienist, she joined Dr. Mai in his Hudson office and is now a member of the St. Pete team. In her free time she volunteers with foster kids, loves spending time with her husband, son and daughter, and enjoys traveling, diving, boating and photography.
Yvonne
Lead Dental Assistant
Born and raised in St. Pete, Yvonne speaks both English and Vietnamese fluently, thanks to her hard-working immigrant parents. With nearly seven years of experience as a dental assistant, Yvonne’s passion for helping patients feel better and more confident about themselves is the most rewarding part of her job.
On her days off, Yvonne loves shopping and napping, but nothing makes her happier than enjoying a day at the beach or engaging in any water-related activity. At home, she spends most of her time with her fur baby, a mini Australian Shepherd. Yvonne is hands-on and has a love for arts and crafts, which aligns perfectly with her career in dental assisting.
Shantel
Dental Assistant
Keely
Dental Assistant
With over 10 years of experience in the dental field, Keely is dedicated to providing exceptional care and ensuring patients feel at ease during their visits. Raised in Florida, she ventured to Los Angeles in 2001 before returning home in 2020 to be closer to her family and raise her son. Outside of work, Keely loves taking long walks with her adorable chiweenie, Buster, and capturing Florida’s stunning sunsets through her photography. Her passion for dentistry and warm personality make her a valued member of the Mai Dentistry team.
Zoe
Front Desk
A true Florida native, Zoe has never seen snow and doesn’t mind keeping it that way! She has a passion for fashion and loves spending her free time shopping for the latest trends. Italian food is her go-to, and if it comes in pink, she probably loves it. When she’s not welcoming patients with a smile at Mai Dentistry, you’ll likely spot her out and about with her two adorable French Bulldogs, Remi and Gravy.
Fabian
Dental Hygienist
Fabian recently made St. Petersburg his new home, bringing with him a strong passion for dentistry and patient care. Born in Mexico City, he attended dental school before moving to the U.S., where he obtained his dental hygienist license. With a deep commitment to improving his patients’ oral health and enhancing their smiles, Fabian strives to make every visit a comfortable and positive experience. Outside the office, he enjoys reading, swimming, and lifting weights. Most of all, he loves spending time with his beautiful wife and embracing all that Florida has to offer.
Jordan
Front Office Coordinator
Kayla
Insurance Coordinator
Sue
Billing Specialist
Sue is a valued part of the Mai Dentistry team, handling billing for our St. Pete office. Working remotely, she helps ensure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.
With her attention to detail and dedication to great service, Sue keeps our billing process accurate, efficient, and easy for patients to navigate.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, relaxing at home, and making the most of her downtime.