Dr. Michelle Afonso joined our practice as a dental associate in June 2023 after graduating from the University of Florida College of Dentistry. She is a Tampa native with deep roots in the community and is passionate about helping our patients get to 100 with all their teeth.
While in dental school, Dr. Afonso spent her summers and extended school breaks learning from Dr. Saylor and his staff. She started shadowing Dr. Saylor in the summer of 2018 and was later hired as an assistant in 2019.
Dr. Afonso is looking forward to continuing her education and learning more about advanced dentistry so she can provide the most comprehensive care to our patients. She is excited to make a difference in the lives of our patient every day.
Dr. Afonso is bi-lingual and can see Spanish-speaking patients.
Credentials
- Graduated with honors from University of South Florida in 2017 with a degree in Cell and Molecular Biology
- Graduated from the University of Florida College of Dentistry in 2023
- Member of the American Dental Association since 2023
A passion for community service
While at the University of Florida, Dr. Afonso received the Outstanding Student Award from the Dental Lifeline Network for her commitment to community service. She spent her time volunteering at FreeD.O.M. Clinic USA, a mobile clinic that provides free dental care to uninsured and under-insured residents of Marion County. Clinic volunteers performed extractions, fillings, and endodontic therapy.
Dr. Afonso served as the Student Liaison for FreeD.O.M. Clinic USA from 2022 to 2023. In this role, she organized volunteers, communicated with the clinic staff and providers, and helped run the clinic twice a month. It was some of the most rewarding experience she had during dental school.
She is currently accepting new patients in need of general dentistry, including crowns, dental bridges, fillings, root canals and extractions. To schedule a dental consultation, call (813) 689-4226 or click here to request an appointment online.
