About Us
We Are Tarpon Shores Dental
Meet the skilled and compassionate team at Tarpon Shores Dental, where expertise and empathy converge to create a welcoming environment for your dental care. Our staff is committed to delivering exceptional service, combining years of experience with a genuine passion for promoting your oral health. Your comfort and well-being are our top priorities, and we look forward to serving you with the highest standard of care.
We Are Tarpon Shores Dental
Meet the skilled and compassionate team at Tarpon Shores Dental, where expertise and empathy converge to create a welcoming environment for your dental care. Our staff is committed to delivering exceptional service, combining years of experience with a genuine passion for promoting your oral health. Your comfort and well-being are our top priorities, and we look forward to serving you with the highest standard of care.
Dr. Shanaka L. Weerasooriya
Sarasota Location
Searching for a “cosmetic dentist in Sarasota, FL?” Then, your search is over. A proud part of the Tarpon Shores Dental team, Dr. Shanaka Weerasooriya is committed to creating long-term relationships with patients by designing individualized treatment plans that meet each of their needs, values, and desires. He believes that the health of the entire oral system, including the teeth, gums, supporting bone, jaw joint, and muscles of the head and neck, all play an integral part in the overall health of a patient.
If you’re searching for a skilled dentist near you, Dr. Shanaka combines his artistic talents with state-of-the-art digital photography with his dental skills to create “natural” smiles for his mature patients and brighter smiles for aesthetically conscious patients.
With a life-long commitment to learning, Dr. Shanaka achieved Mastery Level status in both restorative and cosmetic dentistry from Dr. Frank Spear at the Seattle Institute for Advanced Dental Education (now the Spear Institute) and is a graduate of the Schuster Center for Professional Development, a leadership and practice management program. He is also a graduate of the prestigious Misch International Implant Institute, where he received training to surgically place dental implants. He is a member of CEREC®️ Doctors, the leading organization in CEREC®️ same-day crown technology.
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He also holds memberships in the American Dental Association (ADA), Florida Dental Association (FDA), Sarasota County Dental Association (SCDA), Florida Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (FACD), and is a Fellow in the International College of Oral Implantologists (ICOI).
Dr. Shanaka is proud to be a part of the Englewood Community and our dental office near you. He is married with two daughters. He continues a family legacy in delivering healthcare begun by his father, Dr. “Lucky” Weerasooriya, a longtime area physician. He graduated from Florida Southern College with a B.A. in History and minors in both biology and chemistry and received his Doctor of Medical Dentistry degree from the University of Florida.
Although he played on both high school and college basketball teams, today Dr. Shanaka plays weekly games of tennis and enjoys fishing.
Dr. Paul Stein
Englewood Location
Dr. Stein is currently a proud member of the Sarasota County Dental Association, West Coast District Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, and American Dental Association. Dr. Stein is a highly experienced dentist near you in Sarasota.
When he isn’t assisting his patients, Dr. Stein enjoys traveling and playing golf.
Dr. Sanket Rathod
Englewood Location
Dr. Sanket Rathod is a dedicated and compassionate dentist who is enthusiastic to delivering high-quality dental care to his patients. Originally from India, Dr. Rathod graduated from Manubhai Patel Dental College in 2007 and practiced as a general dentist and practice owner for six years. In 2013, he relocated to Florida and worked at Treasure Coast Community Health, where he gained valuable experience as a dental assistant and dental hygienist until 2017. Eager to advance his skills, Dr. Rathod completed a two-year residency in Advanced Education in General Dentistry at Nova Southeastern University.
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Dr. Rathod quickly grew his experience as a managing clinical director and managing general dentist in a variety of practices in Florida. He is an active member of several esteemed professional organizations, including the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, the American Association of Endodontists, and the American Academy of Implant Dentistry.
Dr. Rathod is also deeply committed to community service. He has participated in dental mission trips to Nicaragua, Bolivia, and the Dominican Republic, providing care to underserved communities. Additionally, he has volunteered at the Florida Mission of Mercy and Special Olympics events, contributing his expertise to those in need.
Outside of dentistry, Dr. Rathod enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and exploring diverse cuisines. Fluent in English, Hindi, and Gujarati, Dr. Rathod is excited to embark on a new chapter in his dental career in Englewood with Tarpon Shores Dental.
Dr. Erick Rivera
Englewood Location
Dr. Erick Rivera is a skilled general dentist with years of experience, dedicated to helping patients achieve healthy, confident smiles. Patients under his care can expect personalized attention, high-quality treatment, and a strong emphasis on comfort.
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As a valued member of the team at Tarpon Shores Dental, Dr. Rivera takes pride in building genuine connections with his patients and helping them achieve their best smiles. Dr. Rivera believes in preventive, personalized care tailored to each patient’s unique needs. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Rochester in New York, where he received comprehensive training across all areas of dentistry. Committed to continual growth, he stays current with the latest techniques and technology to make dental care more comfortable and accessible. He enjoys practicing all aspects of general dentistry—from enhancing smiles to restoring function and relieving pain—with a particular interest in prosthodontics and oral surgery. Outside the office, Dr. Rivera is a passionate foodie who also enjoys playing basketball and pickleball.
Dr. Prashansa Gautam
Englewood Location
Dr. Prashansa Gautam is a compassionate, detail-oriented dentist dedicated to providing high-quality, patient-centered care. A native of Nepal, she came to the United States for her undergraduate studies and chose to build her career here, driven by a lifelong passion for dentistry.
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She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine, where she received thorough training in restorative, prosthodontic, surgical, cosmetic, CAD/CAM, and digital dentistry. Dr. Gautam went on to complete her General Practice Residency at the VA Boston Healthcare System, affiliated with Harvard School of Dental Medicine. There, she cared for medically complex patients and developed advanced skills in implant dentistry, surgical extractions, endodontics, and full-mouth rehabilitation.
Her approach to care is rooted in patient comfort and a genuine commitment to helping each person achieve optimal oral health. She is actively working toward her Fellowship with the Academy of General Dentistry and regularly engages in continuing education to stay at the forefront of digital dentistry, esthetic techniques, and implant care.
Outside the office, Dr. Gautam enjoys discovering new restaurants, staying active, knitting, and tending to her plants and cat. She is fluent in both English and Nepali and takes pride in fostering a warm, welcoming environment for patients of all backgrounds.
Dr. Omar Siddiqui
Venice Location
Dr. Omar Siddiqui grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biology and his dental degree (DMD) from Rutgers University. He started his career in El Paso, Texas, at a community health center serving migrant farm workers. He then ran his own private practice for nearly two decades before moving to Sarasota to join Strickland Family Dentistry.
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The office is fully digital, so planning and treatment move quickly and stay precise. Dr. Siddiqui’s multilingual team completes about 95% of procedures in-house, which means most patients don’t get referred elsewhere. He has also hosted externships for dental students from Baylor University.
He belongs to the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, the West Coast Dental Association, and the Academy of Osseointegration.
Away from the office, Dr. Siddiqui spends his time with family, often boating, fishing, or at the beach. He also serves as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion at Our Lady of Mount Carmel.