About Us - South Florida Dentistry

Dentist

Maria D. Valdes-Garcia, DMD

After graduating from The University of Florida College of Dentistry in 1993, Dr. Vales-Garcia returned to where her heart called, the hometown of Miami, FL. Dr. Maria has strived to maintain a family-oriented practice that serves her patients through generations. Gentle, caring, and fair are words that are used to describe Dr. Valdes-Garcia.

She is a firm believer of preventive and conservative dentistry. She guides her patients to be proactive to maintain the health of their teeth for a lifetime, not just “repair when broken”. It is her commitment to keep up with the latest technology and education for prevention in the most conservative manner.

Dr. Valdes-Garcia and her husband, Hector, opened South Florida Dentistry in 1997 and have been serving the community in the same location ever since. They provide an environment where patients are part of the family. Along with the Doctor’s sister and the staff members who average 13 years at South Florida Dentistry, it is a team effort for the patients to feel at ease, welcomed, and taken care of.

Doctor and Hector married in 1990, have two children, a son and a daughter, two dogs, a cat, and a fish. Dr. Valdes-Garcia loves road trips to “anywhere”, baking, and spending time with family and friends. To feed her soul, she participates in church groups, walks outdoors, and plans bucket list adventures.

Office Manager and CFO

Hector G.

Hector is the Office Manager and CFO of our practice. He maintains the office’s capability to provide the excellent standard of care that our patients deserve. He is a graduate of Florida State University and is an avid alumnus.

His work experience includes working for companies such as Domino's, Target, Pizza Hut, and Sunshine Gasoline Distributors. Through such experience, he learned the value of having an exceptional team that can provide excellent customer service.

Hector and the Doctor married in the year 1990 and have two amazing children, a son and a daughter, in their early thirties. They have balanced their family and professional lives since the opening of South Florida Dentistry in 1997. To achieve that balance, family time at the beach and couple adventure vacations are a must on the calendar each year. Personal time includes Mass, hunting, and watching TV with the dogs, Buddy and Sammy.

Financial Coordinator

Jenny O.

Jenny is our office’s Financial Coordinator and Insurance Specialist. Her 20 years of experience with Dental Finances allows our patients to obtain their Dental treatment with financial arrangements that best suit them.

Dental Hygienist

Elizabeth C.

Eli is a Certified Dental Hygienist who has been providing dental services for our office for 10+ years. She has 4 years of Dental school education and graduated with her Hygienist Degree in Miami, FL.

Dental Assistant and Treatment Coordinator

Gisela V.

Gigi is a Dental Assistant and Treatment Coordinator with over 35 years of experience. As a Dental Doctoral graduate from the Universidad Central Del Este, she has dental knowledge far beyond assistant level. With her sense of humor and supportive manner, she makes patients feel at home.

Office Manager and patient experience coordinator

Sarah Garcia

Sarah Garcia is the Office Manager and patient experience coordinator for the practice, where she focuses on creating a welcoming, comfortable, and personalized dental experience for every patient. With a background in communications and over five years of experience in hospitality, Sarah brings a unique perspective to dentistry by combining professionalism with a luxury-level approach to patient care.

Sarah has been part of the practice for the past five years, working at the family-owned office founded by her parents in 1996. Having grown up around the practice, she developed an early appreciation for the importance of honesty, compassion, and building long-term relationships with patients.

She helps oversee scheduling, patient communication, insurance coordination, and overall office flow, while always striving to make patients feel informed, supported, and at ease throughout their dental journey. Patients often compliment Sarah on her warm personality, patience, and dedication to helping them receive the care they need beyond insurance limitations.

Meet The Team

Maria D. Valdes-Garcia, DMD

Hector G.

Jenny O.

Elizabeth C.

Gisela V.

Sarah Garcia