About Us

Background and Credentials

I’m Dr. Dalinda Canela-Pichardo and I would like to tell you a little about my self. I am originally from the Dominican Republic and proud to be the youngest of the third generation of healthcare providers. At a very early age, I had already made up my mind to become a Doctor. I absolutely love my profession andhelping my patients gives me enormous satisfaction. I have been in private practice at this location since February 2001.

I attended Universidad Iberoamericana (UNIBE) in Santo Domingo, DominicanRepublic, where I graduated cum laude in 1991. In 1995 I obtained my DDS degree from New York University (NYU). After passing my Northeast Regional Board (NERB)I was accepted into a post-graduate specialty program at the University ofMedicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) where I obtained a specialty certificate in Prosthodontics.

Dentistry is my passion. The goal of my practice is to provide my patients with exceptional dental care delivered in a caring, compassionate and relaxed environment. I strive in pleasing my patients and satisfying their individual needs.

Nothing gives me greater satisfaction than to give my patients back their dental health and their smile…it changes lives, it really does.

I do general dentistry but have the great advantage of having a specialty in prosthetics. Strength in cosmetics, handling difficult cases and all aspects of restorative implant dentistry. Surrounded by a great team of specialists toprovide all aspects of dentistry in house.

33+years experience

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Background and Credentials

Dr. George Gounakis was born and raised in Windsor, Canada, in a very close-knit Greek family. He attended the University of Windsor in Ontario, where he earned his undergraduate degree in biology. He chose a warmer venue for his professional schooling and graduated from Nova Southeastern University College of Dentistry in Fort Lauderdale in 2001. He completed his fellowship in periodontology in 2004. Some people feel that implant dentistry falls under the category of cosmetic dentistry, but that’s not entirely accurate. While implants certainly do improve one’s appearance, their impact goes way beyond the flash of a perfect smile. Implants will enhance your smile and improve your function, your speech, and your ability to eat. Dr. Gounakis’s most gratifying moments as a dentist are when patients tell him, “Thank you, Dr. G; you’ve changed my life!”Staying on top of the latest developments in periodontics and implant dentistry means Dr. Gounakis constantly updates his education. He attends multiple continuing education courses every year to keep his knowledge current and his skills honed for the very latest and best implant techniques. When he is not practicing dentistry, Dr. Gounakis enjoys spending time with his family, playing soccer, traveling, and snowmobiling in Canada. Dr. Gounakis has been part of the Canela Dental Team since 2009.

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Background and Credentials

Dr. Carlos Escobar attended NovaSoutheastern University, where he received his dental degree and completed his residency in oral surgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Dr. Escobar is a part of Canela Dental Team of providers since 2006. His services are limited to surgical procedures including but not limited to general oral surgery, wisdom teeth removal, grafting and surgical placement of implants. He speaks English and Spanish, which makes him accessible to patients from a variety of cultural backgrounds. Dr. Escobar helps patients receive the treatment they need. During his consultations, he explains patient's conditions and helps them choose an appropriate treatment plan.

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Background and Credentials

Dentistry has been Dr. Paola C. Ossa Gomez’s passion ever since she was a young girl. Following that passion, she graduated from Colegio Odontologico Colombiano in Bogota (1991) and began her profession career. After a year she moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina looking to complete her professional advance education. At the Universidad de Buenos Aires she earned the title of Endodontic Specialist (1993) and then began a successful 12-year practice. A family move brought her to Miami and she continued her growth at the University of Miami, graduating with a General Practice Dentistry degree. As part of Canela Dental, her practice is limited to Endodontics, and she joined our team in 2020. Dr. Paola C. Ossa Gomez has, through many years of education and training, developed a specified skill set that provides an essential foundation for diagnosing and creating treatment plans to care for her patients. She takes pride in her profession and the type of care that is being provided to their patient, and believes that everyone should receive the highest standard care. She is always learning and exploring new opportunities to improve the experience her patients have during a dental appointment.

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Jaynnee is a graduate of Queensland Vocational Technical High School. She’s nearing almost three decades in the dental field. When you call the office in need of help with scheduling an appointment or navigating your dental insurance, Jaynnee is here to help. When we asked her what she loves most about her job, Jaynnee simply said, “everything.” She loves being able to accommodate our patients and figure out the best way to make sure they’re well cared for. Jaynnee also says working for Dr. Canela is truly special because she’s a fantastic doctor. Jaynnee says Dr. Canela always treats every patient like a person, not just a number, and it makes for a positive work environment and an exceptional patient experience. Jaynnee also says it’s been incredible to watch how the dental industry has grown and become so innovative over the years. She enjoys being a part of it all and sharing it with our patients. Jaynnee says she’s loving, caring, proactive, helpful, grateful, and blessed. Jaynnee volunteers with her daughter’s schools. She has a small family that she loves spending time with, like sharing a trail ride or a good laugh. Jaynnee also mentors with the Paso Fino Horse Association.

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Elisa received her dental training at Broward College and has been with our office for over 21 years. She says she chose a career in dentistry because she simply loves teeth. Elisa also enjoys assisting Dr. Canela, working alongside her fellow team members, and watching smiles as they’re totally transformed. When you meet Elisa, you’ll find out that she’s a sports fan, a hard worker, and an honest friend at the office whom you can always trust. She says being at Canela Dental is a unique experience—not just for everyone who works at the office—but also for everyone who visits us each day. We go out of our way to treat every person who walks into our office like a member of our own family. When Elisa has some free time outside of work, she enjoys going to the park with her daughter and grandson to play both softball and baseball.

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Lariza is a graduate of Broward Dental Assisting School. She stays busy each day at the office, assisting Dr. Canela and her fellow team members to ensure every treatment is a success. It’s also Lariza’s job to make sure patients like you feel comfortable and cared for during your time with us, no matter why you’re in the office. Lariza says she was first drawn to the idea of working in dentistry because she had a love for all things teeth. She thought a career as a dental assistant was a perfect choice. Lariza is even considering learning even more about taking care of smiles as a dental hygienist. She enjoys helping patients achieve the healthy, balanced smile we all deserve to have in our life. Lariza says working at Canela Dental is fun and gratifying because of how genuine everyone in the office is, making it feel like they just part of your extended family. Lariza describes herself as a homebody, dog-lover, who is also detail-oriented. Outside of work, Lariza is usually spending free time with family and friends, or watching the latest releases on Netflix.

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At Canela Dental, we believe that exceptional care starts the moment you walk through our doors. As our dedicated Patient Coordinator, Jasmin is here to ensure a smooth and stress-free experience for every patient. With her warm personality and attention to detail, she helps coordinate appointments, assist with treatment planning, and answer any questions about scheduling, insurance, or paperwork.

Jasmin is passionate about making every visit comfortable and seamless, providing personalized support to help you feel confident about your dental care journey. Whether you're a new patient or a returning one, Jasmin is always ready to greet you with a smile and assist you every step of the way.

Coralia Aguilera has over 30 years of experience as a dental hygienist and joined our Canela Dental team in March 2021. Coralia grew up in Holguin, Cuba, and attended the University of Santiago de Cuba from 1985-1989 to become a registered dental hygienist. Coralia considers her job as her life and loves everything about it! When she is not at work, Coralia enjoys spending time with her husband and two kids, especially going on family vacations!

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Anaibel is a Registered Dental Hygienist with advanced clinical expertise and a strong background in dentistry. She graduated as a dentist in Venezuela in 2017 and has over nine years of experience in the field. Known for her outstanding patient care and smile, she is passionate about her work and dedicated to providing high-quality oral health services. In her free time, she loves camping with her family and capturing moments through photography.