THE FLORIDA KEY DISTRICT 17 FALL
2025
Welcome New Florida Fellows – Class of 2025
May 14-16
FDA Foundation
Mission of Mercy Jacksonville, Florida
June 26
ICD/ACD/PFA Breakfast
Orange Blossom Room Kissimmee, Florida
October 3
ICD Annual Convocation
Grand Hyatt Riverwalk San Antonio, Texas
Inducted in San Diego at the 2025 International College of Dentists Annual Convocation were (l-r) Drs. Giang Truong Vu, Rocio Barocio, Dorthy Theogene, Noel Rodriguez, Ramon Ortiz, Patricia Primero, Margot Jobson Poux, Bhavik Makwana, Lesbia Drukteinis, King Kim, Mathew Rasmussen. This record setting class was joined virtually by Drs. Mikhail Daya Attie, Navid Baradarian, Carolyn Brown, Makepeace Charles, Joshua Golden, Paulo Artur Oliveira, Sundeep Rawal, Pat Ricalde, Alan Stern, Andrew Varga, and Vanessa Watts. Welcome Doctors to the Fellowship.
If you know of a colleague worthy of fellowship, you have until May 31, 2026, to submit an application.
REFLECTIONS FROM YOUR REGENT
I hope this message finds each of you in great health and high spirits.
As we look ahead to 2026, I am filled with pride for all that we’ve accomplished together — and even more inspired by what lies ahead. Our continued success as Fellows in the International College of Dentists depends on one vital mission: to grow our Fellowship with outstanding new members who embody integrity, leadership, and service.
I am challenging each of you — our dedicated cabinet and deputy regents — to sponsor and recommend at least two new Fellows for the Class of 2026. From the first nomination point through final approval and convocation. Let’s personally guide each candidate on their journey. Together, we can ensure every deserving colleague experiences the honor and pride of ICD Fellowship.
To make this challenge even more exciting, District 17 will recognize the individual — whether a Deputy Regent or Consul — who demonstrates outstanding achievement in sponsorship. The recipient will be honored as our Outstanding Sponsor of the Year and presented with a special gift as a token of appreciation for their leadership and dedication.
Let’s make this our shared mission and proud legacy. If each of us brings in five new Fellows, 2026 will stand as the strongest and most inspiring year in District 17’s history!
Let’s do this together — for our profession, for our patients, and for the continued excellence of ICD.
With gratitude and enthusiasm,
Dr. M. Reza Iranmanesh
Regent, District 17
NOMINATE A FELLOW BY MAY 31, 2026
The International College of Dentists is a leading honorary dental organization dedicated to the recognition of outstanding professional achievement, meritorious service, and the continued progress of the profession of dentistry for the benefit of all humankind. Any member in good standing may "Sponsor" a dentist within the USA Section for Fellowship through the Constituent Chapter/State in which the candidate resides.
Per our Bylaws, prerequisites to Fellowship are:
• Membership in a national dental organization recognized by the USA Section Board of Regents
• Must have been at least 5 years in his/her dental career
• Must be a graduate of a recognized dental school
• Must be recognized as an active contributor to the dental profession and/or community
• Must have high integrity and character
NOMINATE A FELLOW
Florida Fellows on a Mission
This year’s initiative in the Dominican Republic was conducted at the Parroquia Sagrado Corazón de Jesús and led by the foundation’s founder, new ICD Fellow, Dr. Teresa Bello Burgos and returning ICD Fellow, Dr. Shana Capra. The mission brought together a multidisciplinary team of dental professionals committed to serving underserved children and families in rural communities.
Over the three operative days in October, the team attended to 447 patients, completing 1,760 dental procedures focused on preventive and restorative care. Many patients were school-age children between 6 and 11 years old, representing more than half of those treated. Services included prophylaxis, fluoride applications, sealants, restorations, surgical extractions and minimal invasive dentistry techniques in pediatric dentistry using silver diamine fluoride and glass ionomer.
The local authorities and regional health departments provided significant support to ensure the success of the program. Importantly, a new liaison was established with the Universidad Católica Tecnológica del Cibao (UCATESI), which allowed university students and their supervising faculty to participate in the initiative. While the students were not directly performing procedures, they were actively involved in observation and public health education, strengthening academic and community collaboration for future missions. The Asociación Odontológica Dominicana continues to support Fundación Monseñor Felipe Bello’s humanitarian efforts, providing professional and logistical collaboration. Beyond the numbers, the greatest impact continues to be the collaboration among returning volunteers, the growing trust of local communities, and the leadership of Dr. Bello Burgos in promoting sustainable oral health initiatives across the Dominican Republic.
Florida Section of the ICD Mission Grant Guidelines and Application
The purpose of the grant is to support Missions that promote the motto of the organization. “Recognizing Service and the Opportunity to Serve.”
These words express the values that define the International College of Dentists in our projects throughout the world. The Florida Section of ICD supports and funds our Florida Fellow’s humanitarian and educational oral health care programs and initiatives around the world, especially in developing communities where the needs are greatest. This grant may be applied for expenses only related to student and dental ancillary travel, room and board. Cost of shipping donated supplies can also be reimbursed. The maximum Grant for each Mission that qualifies is $1000. The Florida ICD Officers will evaluate the applications for merit based on satisfaction of the ICD motto. By accepting this grant the applicants and their affiliated non-profits agree to allow the Florida ICD to share this information and to provide properly cleared pictures of the event for publicity purposes.
The guidelines may be changed by the discretion of the Officers if special circumstances should exist. Funding is also limited to $1000 per mission and subject to availability of funds.
By accepting a grant, you agree to provide a written final report of your accomplishments with pictures of volunteers, patients and the work environment with proper releases. By accepting this grant, you and your volunteers approve of the use of your images. If you have a pending Mission trip with these values, Contact our Florida Regent Dr. Reza Iranmanesh at iranmaneshdmd@gmail.com for an application.
ICD DISTRICT 17 LEADERSHIP
Regent: Dr. Reza Iranmanesh, 2814 W. Waters Avenue, Tampa, FL 33614, (813) 9336705, iranmaneshdmd@gmail.com
Vice Regent : Dr. Jason Portnof, Surgical Arts of Boca Raton, 9980 North Central Park Boulevard, #113, Boca Raton, FL 33428, (561) 717-3660, C: (954) 952-4153, jeportnof@gmail.com
Deputy Regent (South) Dr. Shana Capra, 15065 S. State Road 7 Suite 650, Delray Beach Fl 33446, (561) 840 5437, C: (954) 534 6260; drcapra@thekidsdentalpractice.com
Deputy Regent (North): Dr. Samira Meymand, 11571 San Jose Blvd # 1, Jacksonville, FL 32223, (904) 886 2667, C: (214) 394 5923; drmeymand@hotmail.com
Deputy Regent (Central): Dr. Sam Desai, 1510 SE. 47th Terrace, Cape Coral, Fl 33904, (239) 5425676, C: (239) 410 6015 : desaidental2003@yahoo.com
Immediate past Regent: Dr. Rodrigo Romano, 7701 SW 62 Avenue, Suite A-1, Miami, FL 33143; (305) 403-3682; Fax: (305) 403-4222; C: (305) 781-0410; drromano@romanoperio.com
Consular: (North) Dr. Jeffrey C. Ottley, 5908 Berryhill Road, Milton, FL 32570-8294; (850) 6230137; C: (850) 293-8302; dmdottley@yahoo.com
Consular: (North): Dr Matthew Rasmussen , 4012 Kelcey Ct. Tallahassee , FL 32308 (850) 6929200 , C: (813) 624- 3064 , matthewjrasmussen@gmail.com
Consular: (Central): Dr. Joseph Richardson 2101 S Bay St. Eustis, Fl 32726, (352) 589-1973 C: (352) 514 -7168, Periojoe@gmail.com
Treasurer: Dr. Paul R. Miller, 5045 Westshore Drive, New Port Richey, FL 34652; (727) 5149886; molar01@msn.com
Editor: Dr. Hugh T. Wunderlich, 6100 Seaside Drive, New Port Richey, FL 34652; (727) 5345381 htwdds@gmail.com
Please send District 17 articles and news to the ICD/ Florida Key Editorial committee to htwdds@gmail.com.
MISSION: POSSIBLE
If you have never been part of a mission trip in a third world country, then you might assume the reason for going is to benefit the underserved. However, that is the smallest part of it. I go for selfish reasons. Ask anyone that has made a trip. There are many pleasures in life, but nothing compares to the gift of a simple smile given in gratitude. Nothing compares to that.
There are many barriers to dental care, mostly tied to poor economies, hostile environments and greedy governments. But rarely is the obvious difference in language a real barrier. On a recent trip to a Spanish-speaking area, I was trying to relate to the mother of a 7-year-old child through my limited Spanish (I am illiterate in at least four languages). I was telling her of an embarrassing time I had when using the word “muerte” instead of “muerde.” Apparently “you are going to die” and “bitedown,” although sounding very much alike in Spanish, have quite different meanings. So, of course I told this mother that I was “embarazada” by my previous blunders. This confirmed to her my language shortcomings and suggested some physical impossibilities - I apparently, I told her I was pregnant! Where is a Rosetta stone when you need one? I do not speak on mission trips anymore.
My co-workers only give me a pad and pencil to play a sort of international Pictionary during my preoperative discussions.
My first mission trip was to Haiti in 1982. At that time, as it is now, Haiti was the poorest country in the northern hemisphere. For a country that was the jewel of the Antilles in the 1700s, today’s population of 8.5 million manages an annual per capita income of the equivalent of only $40 in the United States. Although our dental equipment and services were limited in scope, hundreds of Haitians lined up for treatment in our “open-air” operatories. Over an eight-day period we treated more than 2,000 gracious patients. It was the best eight-day “vacation” I ever had. For many of our patients this was the first pain-free existence they could ever remember. Yet I was the one that was given the greater gift.
It is impossible to go on such a trip and feel the same way about your monetary possessions you once felt were so important. We take so much for granted living in the United States. I recommend the experience to everyone, dentist or layperson. There is no reason to be “embarazada” just bone up on your Pictionary.
Hugh Wunderlich, DDS, CDE