Meet Us

Here at Full Heart Dentistry, your well-being comes first. We’ve worked hard over the years to cultivate a team of the most intentional, compassionate, and qualified dental professionals in New York, and each one of us is proud to serve you.

Whether you’re visiting us for the first time or you’ve called Full Heart Dentistry your home for years, we’d like to welcome you to meet our staff, who make our mission of positive and uplifting dental care possible!

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Meet Us

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Our Mission Statement

“We strive to make a difference in the lives of our patients, our team members and our community by providing excellent dental care and informative treatment options. With a full heart and the spirit of service we aim to use our God given abilities to treat each patient with the utmost kindness, respect and understanding. We seek to effectively educate and compassionately guide each patient towards achieving their oral health goals and adding to their overall wellness.”

Your Doctors

Dr. Sarah J. Smith

Doctor of Dental Surgery

If you ask Dr. Sarah Smith when her passion for dentistry began, she'll tell you it was when she was nine years old. Ever since, she has worked tirelessly to bring a new standard of high-quality dental care to her community — a standard in which genuine care and comfort come first.

She earned her first dental degree in the Dominican Republic and later achieved a doctorate from the University of Buffalo and a residency at the Genesee Hospital in Rochester, New York.

The community of Rochester has been Dr. Smith’s home and primary area of operation for more than twenty years. Today, she is a proud member of the American Dental Association, the New York State Dental Society, and the Monroe County Dental Society. Whether at home, at church, or at the office, Dr. Smith’s mission is always to treat those around her with genuine love, care, and respect.

Dr. Gilbert F. Hernandez

Doctor of Dental Medicine

Dr. Gilbert Hernandez is a New York native, born and raised right here in Rochester. Inspired by the work of his mentor, Dr. Sarah Smith, Hernandez began his career in dentistry to help further Full Heart Dentistry’s mission of compassionate dental care.

After graduating from Tufts University’s School of Dental Medicine in 2015, a residency at Rochester General Hospital brought him back to his hometown of Rochester, where he continues to practice today with Full Heart Dentistry.

While away from the office, Gilbert can still be found playing the keys in his local salsa orchestra. Fluent in both English and Spanish and uniquely equipped to serve his community, Dr. Hernandez is a valued member of the Full Heart Dentistry team.

Dr. Radhika Thakkar

Doctor of Dental Surgery

Dr. Radhika Thakkar is a experienced dentist and assistant professor at the Eastman Institute for Oral Health, University of Rochester.

She earned her BDS in India (2012), post-graduate diplomas in Medico-Legal System and Hospital Management (2013), and an MPH from St. John's University, NY (2018). Her journey includes a Research Fellowship (2020), AEGD Residency (2023), and GME (2024).

Dr. Thakkar moved to Rochester in 2016 to join her husband, and has since completed her full-circle journey from dental assistant to dentist at Full Heart Dentistry. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, biking, camping, kayaking, and boating, and is learning spanish.

Our Team

Michelle Wansha

Registered Dental Hygienist

Michelle has been a practicing registered dental hygienist for more than thirty years. After gaining an associate’s degree in dental hygiene from Monroe Community College, she furthered her education with a bachelor of science from the State University of Brockport. Wherever Michelle goes, she pursues her passion for teaching and helping young people, whether she is teaching Sunday school or leading the local Girl Scout troop.

Carla Rumble

Registered Dental Hygienist

For Carla, her position as a registered dental hygienist is an outlet for her passion for connecting with those in her care. She believes that the key to a positive dental experience is genuine trust, and she puts it into practice with every interaction. A long-time Rochester resident, Carla attended Bishop Kearney High School and Monroe Community College. She currently lives in Irondequoit with her husband and three children.

Caroline “Carrie” Tryka

Dental Assistant

Caroline — “Carrie” to her friends — is a dental assistant here at Full Heart Dentistry with a passion for working with people of all ages. Her two great loves are Jesus and kayaking. When she’s not at work, she’s often working with the youth of her local church. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Roberts Wesleyan University, and her love for Rochester and its people make her a true light for everyone in the office.

John Lopez

Dental Assistant

John Lopez was born in Puerto Rico and raised right here in Rochester, NY. He’s a huge fan of the San Francisco 49ers, a God-fearing follower of Jesus, a loving husband, and a proud father of two beautiful children. In addition to all this, he’s a valuable member of the Full Heart Dentistry team. His kindness and enthusiasm make him an essential part of our dental care environment.

Allyson (Ally) Woodward

Hygienist

Ally was born and raised in Rochester and is a 2018 graduate of MCC’s Dental Hygiene program. Before starting her path in hygiene, she shadowed with our office in 2015. Full circle, she is now a part of our team! Outside of work, she loves spending time with her family (especially with her two little nephews), serving at her local church, and reading with some good coffee in hand. She hopes to serve the patients at FHD well as she cares for them with the gifts she’s been given!

Meghan Wilson

Office Manager

Meghan is a vibrant, bubbly and caring addition to our administrative staff here at Full Heart Dentistry. She has a true passion for the arts and has a love for travel. Meghan brings a positive and optimistic attitude to the office while aiming to help as many people as possible!

Francheska Espinal

Financial Coordinator

Francheska has a passion for dentistry which started her journey here at Full Heart Dentistry. Fran was a Dental Assistant for Dr. Smith before transitioning to the administrative team. Fran's knowledge of clinical and administration is beyond beneficial for our team as well as our patients.

Happy Smiles at Full Heart Dentistry

“Our visits are always relaxed and very comfortable. The team is fantastic, the atmosphere is great, and we always leave with a smile.”

Anna and Joe M.

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“Our visits are always relaxed and very comfortable. The team is fantastic, the atmosphere is great, and we always leave with a smile.”

Anna and Joe M.

“Never had a family dentist be so understanding of children and adult fears. Dr. Smith is so calming and the staff is exceptionally sweet. My children love going there and will never have a fear of the dentist.”

Julia C.

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Julia C.

“Dr. Sarah Smith is literally FANTASTIC. I hate going to the dentist with a burning passion, but Dr. Smith and her WHOLE TEAM are so warm, kind and completely professional- it makes my fear of the dentist much easier to work with. If you are looking for a dentist, I highly recommend Dr. Sarah Smith and her team 🙂 ”

Hannah S.

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Hannah S.

“Great DR and Hygienist. They made us feel safe and welcome. Knowledgeable staff and my daughter was comfortable coming to the dentist again. Thanks you Dr Sara Smith. Highly recommended.”

Indira J.

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“Great DR and Hygienist. They made us feel safe and welcome. Knowledgeable staff and my daughter was comfortable coming to the dentist again. Thanks you Dr Sara Smith. Highly recommended.”

Indira J.

“I was beyond scared of going to the dentist. Dr. Smith and her staff, from my first call to leaving from my first procedure, were incredibly kind, reassuring and did an incredible job. No more fear!! ”

Charity C.

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Charity C.

“Full Heart Dentistry certainly lives up to its name! Whatever the nature of the treatment, each member of the team (and I can tell they are a TEAM) in their own personalized way gives 100% of themselves. Hence a FULL HEART – full of kindness, compassion and with the utmost professionalism, along with a unique personal touch! ”

Dianne B.

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Dianne B.

“The staff, service and commitment to excellence are second to none, and you truly feel like more than just a patient here. I consider myself lucky to have found them! ”

Chuka I.

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“The staff, service and commitment to excellence are second to none, and you truly feel like more than just a patient here. I consider myself lucky to have found them!”

Chuka I.

“Since coming to Full Heart for an emergency case my mouth and heart are doing much better! Everyone has treated me with so much care. Thank you and God bless! ”

Pamela W-B.

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“Since coming to Full Heart for an emergency case my mouth and heart are doing much better! Everyone has treated me with so much care. Thank you and God bless!”

Pamela W-B.

"I’ve been so self-conscious. Thank you so much. You are the best. I’ve been so self-conscious about my tooth for years. I really appreciate you. Job well done."

Shawn Y.

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"I’ve been so self-conscious. Thank you so much. You are the best. I’ve been so self-conscious about my tooth for years. I really appreciate you. Job well done."

Shawn Y.

"Dr. Smith and her staff are simply the best —competent, caring professionals who are passionate about every aspect of dental care. Whether your goal is to maintain or restore your dental health, I’m happy to recommend this practice without reservation."

Joe L.

☆☆☆☆☆

"Dr. Smith and her staff are simply the best—competent, caring professionals who are passionate about every aspect of dental care. Whether your goal is to maintain or restore your dental health, I’m happy to recommend this practice without reservation."

Joe L.