There is nothing quite like giving the gift of a confident smile. The way it changes your personality and opens up possibilities for the future is just priceless."
Periodontist & Implant Surgeon
Get to Know
Dr. J’Nelle Delica
Dr. Delica decided to pursue dentistry as a career when she was only 13 years old, and today, she still feels enormously fortunate to call this her job. She has an unending passion for providing excellent service to patients in need of advanced periodontal care. When someone comes in who is initially anxious or fearful and then leaves full of excitement for their improved oral health and quality of life, it’s nothing short of amazing! If you’d like to learn more about her background and accomplishments, please keep reading below.
Why Did You Decide to Become a Dentist?
Dr. Delica has been on the journey towards dentistry since she was very young. Her dad used to tell her all about how limited dentists were in his home country of Jamaica. After having a negative experience in the States as well, he avoided dental offices for the rest of his life, and in his honor, she has always striven to make each patient’s experience as comfortable as possible. In fact, when she discovered that Jamaica was opening their very first dental school, she reached out to offer her services and is still part of their periodontology course to this day!
Despite these bad experiences, though, her dad never discouraged her for pursuing this career path. He even took time away from his business to escort her to the Northeast during dental school interviews. She also received plenty of support from her mother, who worked as a public health nurse and showed Dr. Delica firsthand how impactful and meaningful this type of work could be. This planted seed grew into a lifelong dedication to helping others better understanding oral hygiene and how it can impact overall health.
Dr. Delica is additionally very grateful to have had such incredible mentors and friends throughout her schooling. In particular, Dr. Augustus White was her society chairman at Harvard Medical School, and he believed in her when she didn’t believe in herself, always reaching out with books, articles, warm words, and even sweets. She also couldn’t have made it through without her hubby, who supported her tremendously every step of the way – in fact, they joke that he earned a dental degree too!
Where Did You Study Dentistry?
Dr. Delica attended Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University for her undergraduate studies, where she learned science, perseverance, and the true meaning of hard work. She was then accepted into the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, graduating with her Doctor of Dental Medicine with Honors in 2010. While at Harvard, she designed a six-week program to educate new moms on early childhood caries in Montego Bay, Jamaica. As for her periodontal/implant specialty, she completed her advanced training at Nova Southeastern University. She also holds a Master of Public Health and is certified in LANAP. She has trained under some of South Florida’s best clinicians and even given core presentations at the Florida Periodontics Association.
Today, Dr. Delica is a member of the following organizations:
- American Dental Association
- Florida Dental Association
- Central Palm Beach Dental Association (Vice President)
Outside of the Dental Office,
What Do You Like to Do?
Dr. Delica’s husband Roossely has been the love of her life since she met him at 17, and they have one son and one daughter together. In her spare time, she has many personal passions, including hosting dinner parties where people can come together and share this journey called life, as well as mentoring young women who are interested in starting businesses and giving them resources to become successful. As for hobbies, she likes running, cooking, traveling, and spending lots of quality time at the beach. She always finds beauty in putting a variety of different textures, colors, and patterns together too – it could be a meal, a room’s décor, an outfit, a dinner party, or even a smile! She loves the way that all of these different elements can come together perfectly.
