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Meet Our Doctors

RICK KERNAGIS, DMD

Dr. Kernagis initially began his undergraduate studies in engineering at the University of Florida as he loves working with his hands and being creative. After spending time with a family mentor who was a dentist, he discovered that he could also fulfill his passion for helping people through dentistry. While attending college, he met his future wife, Dr. Jennifer Wynn Kernagis, from the Tampa Bay area. Upon graduation, they settled in Tampa and began their careers and family.

Dr. Kernagis graduated in 1999 from the University of Florida College of Dentistry. He has completed continuing education courses in orthodontics, Invisalign, sleep apnea treatment, TMJ (jaw pain) therapy & dental implants. He has also taken extensive cosmetic dentistry and facial aesthetics courses, emphasizing Digital Smile Designs and IV Sedation. As a leading dentist in Tampa, FL, Dr. Richard Kernagis is a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Psi Omega Dental Fraternity, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

When Dr. Kernagis is not in the office creating confident smiles, he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, especially on traveling adventures. He also loves playing a great game of golf, attending the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey games, and cheering on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Go, Champa Bay!

JENNIFER WYNN KERNAGIS, DMD

Dr. Wynn prides herself as a native Floridian. Born in Tampa, and raised in Plant City and Lithia, she has witnessed firsthand the growth of the FishHawk community. After graduating from Plant City High School, she got her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of South Florida in Tampa. A high school job at a local orthodontist's office shed light on a future in dentistry. She worked as an orthodontic assistant while obtaining her degree from USF. Dr. Wynn spent 4 years in Gainesville, where she found it truly is "great to be a Florida Gator." Not only did she receive her DMD degree from the University of Florida College of Dentistry, but she also met her husband, Dr. Richard Kernagis.

Dr. Wynn understands the importance of good communication and enjoys getting to know her patients to improve their dental care. She stays abreast of the latest advances in dentistry and enjoys helping patients achieve beautiful, healthy smiles. Dr. Wynn believes in the value of continual learning and has taken numerous continuing education courses, including Invisalign, dental sleep medicine, and digital dentistry.

When not in the office, Dr. Wynn enjoys time spent with family. She and Dr. Kernagis have two children that keep them busy. They also have two dogs to round out their house. Dr. Wynn lives an active lifestyle. She enjoys being outdoors, distance running, and even completed a Spartan race. Dr. Wynn loves to travel and is never shy to taste a new dish from a great restaurant.

KONSTANTINE LAGOS, DMD

Dr. Konstantine Lagos, DMD, has deep roots in the Tampa Bay area. He was born and raised in Dunedin, FL, in a Big Fat Greek Family. He is proud of and loves celebrating and sharing his strong Greek heritage. He is a recipient of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma from Palm Harbor University High School and a graduate of Nova Southeastern University's Dual Admission Accelerated 7 -year Dental Program. Dr. Lagos continued his studies by completing an intensive General Practice Residency at NYU Lutheran Medical Center in Brooklyn, NY, where he honed his surgical skills in a hospital setting.

Dr. Lagos' versatility also shines through his dentistry as he strives for beautiful and enduring smiles. He prides himself in taking time to listen and understand each patient's desires and works tirelessly to keep patient comfort a top priority. He has far exceeded the average continuing education necessary and continues to elevate his practice to deliver outstanding results for his patients. He is keen on all the latest technology and loves to incorporate his skills with Invisalign and photography in his Cosmetic Treatment.

Dr. Lagos enjoys cooking, playing music and singing, theatre, hiking/skiing, and rummaging through old bookstores. You'll probably hear about a new recipe, a recent good book, or maybe even a new commercial/ad he appeared in his spare time.

VLADIMIR AVRIL, DDS, FIDIA

After receiving his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at NYU College of Dentistry, Dr. Avril has continuously pursued the latest knowledge and techniques to provide his patients with the best care. From placing implants to oral sedation, Dr. Avril is ready to provide you with personalized and anxiety-free care!

Dr. Avril is currently on track to obtain a Fellow of the Academy of General Dentistry, Diplomate status with the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, and countless other dental organization awards and accolades.

Originally from Miami, Dr. Avril settled on the west coast of Florida because of his love for the relaxing atmosphere, beautiful coastline, and melting pot of numerous cultures. Involved in numerous hobbies, Dr. Avril's most passionate activities are traveling and photography. He is looking forward to meeting you and would love to share any tips, recommendations, and experiences with each other.

JYOTI KANSAL, DDS

Dr. Jyoti Kansal is originally from India. After graduating valedictorian in high school, she earned her Bachelor's degree in dentistry from Manipal University, India, where she graduated cum laude. She then pursued a Preceptorship Certificate from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from New York University College of Dentistry. While in dental school, she was inducted into Omicron Kappa Upsilon, a national dental honor society.

Before moving to Tampa, Dr. Kansal practiced in Lake Mary, Florida. She and her husband are excited to raise their infant in Tampa, which offers a perfect amalgamation of a big city and a small town. Dr. Kansal loves spending time with family, cooking, reading, and traveling when not transforming patients' smiles.

Dr. Kansal also likes to keep herself updated with the most innovative developments and techniques to provide her patients with the highest comprehensive dental care by attending continuing education courses regularly. She believes in delivering excellent care with a personal touch for all her patients.

MARK FARAG, DMD

Dr. Farag was born and raised in Lakeland, Florida. Growing up, he spent much of his time helping at his Father's dental practice, where he enjoyed being exposed to and learning about the dental profession. From this experience, he decided to pursue a career as a dentist.

Dr. Farag received his Bachelor's degree in Microbiology and Cell Science from the University of Florida, where he was part of the accelerated Dental program, and then attended the University of Florida College of Dentistry, where he received his DMD. Dr. Farag enjoys all aspects of dentistry and has completed numerous hours of CE in Aesthetics, Occlusion, Implants, and Prosthetic dentistry. He is passionate about transforming smiles and lives.

When not in the office, Dr. Farag enjoys traveling, fishing, and being outdoors with his wife and two children.

ELODIE EPANE, DDS

Dr. Elodie Epane was born and raised in Douala, Cameroon. At eighteen, she moved to the United States and attended the University of Houston, where she graduated with a BS in Chemistry and a minor in Biology. Following her undergraduate education, she went on to earn her Doctorate in Dental Surgery at Meharry Medical College. After dental school, Dr. Epane moved to sunny Florida to complete her residency training at NYU Lutheran at LECOM.

Dr. Epane’s passion for dentistry results from her experiences as a child in a country with a non-existing dental health system. She believes that a smile begins a journey that can have lasting effects. Dr. Epane recognizes that every patient has unique dental goals, experiences, and challenges. "It's important to know patients' expectations, so I can help resolve their problems and work within their budget. My patients and I are a team. I educate them and empower them to take control of the care they receive." Dr. Epane is exceptionally caring and detail-oriented and always has the best interests of her patients in mind. It is a priority for her to educate each person on the importance of routine oral health care, and her ultimate goal is to equip each patient with a confident smile. Dr. Epane is nitrous oxide certified and is also a certified Invisalign provider.

In her free time, Dr. Epane loves to spend time with her six children and husband. Dr. Epane enjoys reading biblical publications, swimming with the family, and traveling. Additionally, she volunteers for various organizations, including Better Together as a mentor for fostering families, Grace Community Church in Sarasota, and Hope 4 Kids Dental Screening and Education.

SHWETA KOKATE, DDS

Dr. Shweta Kokate graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University, obtaining her DDS degree with an Advanced Standing program. She emphasizes preventive dentistry using advancing technology in diagnosis and treatments. Well-versed in digital dentistry, Dr. Kokate deepens her continuing education by keeping herself updated with the newest technology, techniques, and materials. She is also a certified Invisalign Orthodontic provider. She is a proud member of the American Dental Association (ADA), Virginia Dental Association (VDA), and Academy of General Dentistry (AGD).

She has an impressive knack for connecting with people who believe in establishing long-term relationships while providing the state of the art dental services for her patients. Being a lifelong volunteer for medical and dental mission trips, she has served the underserved population while involved with the Mission of Mercy project, smile at Kids, and Special Olympics MOM Projects. She was able to positively impact lives with outreach projects in Kenya, Mexico, and Spain.

Outside her professional activities, Dr. Kokate is passionate about painting and dancing. She is an amateur gardener. She also partakes in adventures like bungee jumping and hiking. She, her husband, and their two daughters enjoy traveling and trying different cuisines.

BINH HO, DDS

Dr. Binh Ho is originally from Vietnam. He migrated to the United States as a teenager on his own, and finished high school in the Tri-State area of the Midwest. Dr. Binh earned his Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences at Southeastern Louisiana University, and then his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree at Howard University in Washington, DC. Throughout his experiences of living in multiple states and navigating in a foreign country, Dr. Binh grew to have a high appreciation and understanding of different cultures, and backgrounds which ultimately helped him connect with his patients personally.

Dr. Binh is proficient in multiple aspects of General Dentistry, such as Composite restoration, Crowns, Bridges, Root Canal Therapy, Dentures, and more. Dr. Binh's love and passion for helping others and working with his hands motivate him to serve, provide and create the best dental experiences for all his patients.

Outside of dentistry, Dr. Binh loves barbering, sports, car detailing, and martial arts, plus spending time with his loved ones and his two dogs (Carmen and Diesel).

FRANCISCO ESPINOZA, DDS

Dr. Espinoza graduated from The Benemerita University of Puebla, Mexico, and completed a one-year residence at (IMSS) Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social. He later returned to his country, the great "Nicaragua," a land of lakes and volcanoes, and completed two years in a Rural Community. He then went to Honduras, his neighboring country, due to the Nicaraguan civil war. Dr. Espinoza was a member of the Honduras Dental Society and spent one year in a community where he was the first dentist in that village's history in which services were done for free. After coming to the USA, he became a CDT and worked for a dental office for four years. He later joined an advanced dental program at New York University, where he completed his Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS). Since 1998, he has enjoyed being a private practice dentist in Bradenton, Florida.

Dr. Espinoza spends his free time pursuing advanced dental education in implant, cosmetic and restorative dentistry at some of the top dental institutions in the United States. He continues to take continuing education courses, surpassing the state license requirements.

Outside of the office, Dr. Espinoza enjoys spending time with his family. He is married to his wife, Luz, and has five children. His hobbies include traveling, reading, and biking to the beach.

Your Friendly Tampa Dentists

Welcome to Kernagis Dental Excellence. Meet the team at your trusted Tampa dental clinic. We are here to help you with all of your dentistry needs. Our services cover everything from family dentistry, assisting all family members with their dentistry needs, to sedation dentistry, to help ease the dental anxiety that you and your loved ones may feel. With the latest in dental technology, we can help with all dental needs. Have you had a bad experience with dentists before? Our family-friendly atmosphere sets Kernagis Dental Excellence apart from other Tampa dental clinics. We treat your family like ours and offer services tailored to you and your loved ones’ own personal needs.

At Kernagis Dental Excellence, we love to help families with their dental needs and to help create a stronger relationship with their dentist through care and the treatments we provide. Whether you need restorative dentistry done to help replace your teeth, or brighten up your smile through our cosmetic dentistry options, trust Kernagis Dental Excellence to give you the best dental experience you’ve ever had. Our South Tampa dentists cater to your needs and can help you love your dental visits again.

With four conveniently located offices throughout Tampa and surrounding areas, we are just a call away. Contact our Tampa dental clinic today to schedule your next appointment or to discuss the treatments that we have available.