Meet Our Team

Joseph J. Thomas

DDS, MAGD, FICOI, FACD, FICD

Dr. Thomas is a general dentist and has a passion for excellence in dental health and aesthetic reconstruction.

Dr. Joe Thomas established a state-of-the-art dental practice in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Practicing general dentistry and providing nonsurgical and surgical care to thousands of citizens in Florida, with a strong emphasis on surgery, dental implant placement, extreme makeovers, cosmetic reconstruction, public education, and prevention of dental disease.

Some of Dr. Joe Thomas hobbies include Philanthropy, full contact Martial Arts, and vacation travel with his wife Beth and children, Curran and Kritika.

  • Chairman of the State of Florida – Board of Dentistry – Gubernatorial Appointee
  • Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree (D.D.S.) from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, School of Dentistry
  • Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry (F.A.G.D)
  • The American Academy of Implant Dentistry Maxi-Course
  • Prestigious Mastership in Academy of General Dentistry (M.A.G.D)
  • Over 1400 hours of post-doctoral dental continuing education
  • Fellowship and Inducted into International College of Dentists
  • Fellowship in the International Congress of Implantology
  • Fellowship and Inducted into American College of Dentists
  • Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipient
  • Pro-bono volunteer Dentistry to the financially challenged at the county Health Departments and Clinics
  • Guest lectures at UF, Nova Southeastern University and LECOM Schools/Colleges of Dental Medicine

Dr. Maria Eugenia Thomas

DMD

Maria Eugenia Thomas, DMD has joined Dr. Joe Thomas’ practice in the Ft. Lauderdale area early in 2018.

Dr. Maria Thomas is a graduate from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine located in Boston. Before studying dentistry, she attended Florida State University for her undergraduate career. Even though she loved living in a big city, Dr. Maria was ready to leave the New England winters and return to the warm weather and beautiful Florida beaches.

Dr. Maria Thomas is originally from Venezuela, and immigrated to Weston, FL in 2002. Being from Venezuela, Dr. Thomas is proficient in English and Spanish. Growing up in different cultures has given her the opportunity to better understand and treat patients of various backgrounds.

Dr. Maria Thomas believes dentistry is about helping others and improving their lives. As a dentist, one is able to relieve pain, enhance esthetics and improve function. Dr. Maria Thomas counts it a privilege to treat her patients and takes great pride in being able to serve the community on a daily basis.

In her spare time, Dr. Maria enjoys traveling, attending yoga classes and reading.

Dr. Mariel Petruk

DDS

As a graduate from the New York University College of Dentistry DDS program, Dr. Mariel Petruk has clinical experience in arguably one of the busiest dental clinics in the country, serving a large percentage of the area’s most medically compromised patients. Not only was her clinical training thorough and rigorous, it incorporated treating those in severe need of dental care with limited access to resources. This became a passion of hers, demonstrated by an outreach trip to Nicaragua to serve those most in need; just one of the many instances she donated her time as a clinician. As a resident of South Florida for eighteen years, Dr. Petruk was committed to returning to the south Florida area to serve the health care needs of the local community. Her experience at the NYU Dental Clinic has taught her how to address clients professionally and respectfully, discuss their concerns, and manage their frustrations.

Dr. Petruk demonstrates a superior level of comprehension and a keen ability to integrate the different disciplines of dentistry in a comprehensive manner. She has a firm understanding of the underlying rationale of the treatment she is delivering to her patients. She has a wonderful work ethic and possesses the highest level of integrity. Dr. Petruk has superior clinical skills that are equally coupled with compassionate delivery. She also speaks fluent Spanish, which not only further helps patients in explaining symptoms, but also helps patients understand the treatment they're getting.

Dr. Petruk is actively involved in the local dental society, and was even selected as a voting member to the House of Delegates in the American Student Dental Association. She is passionate about continuing dental education; she delves beyond the superficial scope of any subject by immersing herself and attaining the greatest amount of knowledge she possibly can. In her downtime, she enjoys exercising and spending time at the beautiful South Florida beaches and surrounding areas kayaking, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

Valerie Mangurian

B.A., RDH

Valerie is our gentle and sweet Registered Dental Hygienist. Valerie as an avid volunteer, partnered up with The Oral Cancer Foundation, Dentistry From The Heart, Family Wellness Health Fair and is a proud member of the Young Professional Network Group and the American Dental Hygiene Association to improve dental awareness in her community. Valerie received her Bachelor’s Degree from Florida Atlantic University and went on to pursue her Florida Hygiene education at a CODA Accredited Dental Hygiene program. Valerie grew up and lived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida most of her life. Valerie’s hobbies include, jogging on the beach, yoga, baking and going to the dog park. You will find that your experience here with Valerie is unlike any other because, simply put, she just loves her work. "Let your smile change the world, don’t let the world change your smile."

Tara LeBuhn

RDH

A true Floridian,Tara was raised in Vero Beach. Tara has been in the dental field since 1997 and practicing dental hygiene since 2000. Tara graduated at Indian River State College in 2000 with a Certificate of Dental Hygiene and prior to Dental Hygiene she holds a Certificate of Dental Assisting also obtained at Indian River State College.

As a professional, her calling is to care for people and develop lasting relationships by promoting health, education and wellness through the provision of quality dental care. She attends a variety of continuing education courses that keeps her job interesting and exciting. In addition she serves on the State of Florida-Dental Hygiene Council to help ensure the safety of all patient's

In her free time Tara enjoys spending time with her husband being outdoors, boating, and just enjoying time with her family, friends and her two Chinese Shar-peis and a parrot that Tara has had for decades since she was a child.