Meet the Doctors

As a licensed dentist, Dr. Valera loves the art of dentistry and strives to become an expert in all areas of dental care. He finds full mouth rehabilitation especially rewarding, and enjoys seeing the transformation of a patient’s smile from beginning to end. He is experienced in cosmetic dentistry, root canals, surgery, and more. He is always seeking to take continuing education courses and has completed courses in BOTOX®, fillers, clear aligners, implant placement, and more.

From the first moment of meeting a patient through the treatment planning phase and the execution of care, Dr. Valera is passionate about connecting with his patients. He enjoys the challenge of meeting the unique needs of every patient and finding opportunities for growth in every difficulty. Dr. Valera is inspired by his family, especially his father, who instilled in him the belief that he should strive to be his best at whatever he pursues. He is extremely motivated by his peers in the dental industry and is thrilled to be able to work with such dedicated professionals.

Dr. Valera is a member of Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) and the Florida Dental Association (FDA), as well as dental honor society Omicron Kappa Upsilon. When he’s not expanding his dental knowledge, Dr. Valera enjoys sports, particularly as a fan of the Miami Heat, as well as working out and the beautiful south Florida weather. 

Sometimes life can take you on an interesting path, and my life sure did. I began studying undergrad accounting, something I really wasn't passionate about.

I was going to graduate early, in three years. I went to my advisor and she said, "I'm sorry, but I don't approve you to graduate. You haven't taken any electives outside of your major." So, I said, "Really?" She said, "Really." So, I decided to sign up for some electives.

One of those electives was jewelry making. I got to the class thinking we would be stringing beads and making some costume jewelry. That was not the case. So, we actually had to carve wax, cast it into gold and set stones. They supplied us with some instruments from the bookstore, maybe cost about $14, and to say the least, I was very frustrated. I wasn't doing well at all in that class.

The next weekend, my mother and I were antiquing in Miami Beach, and I found a box of some sharp tools. I really wasn't even sure what they were. I opened the box and realized that they were dental instruments. I asked the lady, "How much for each instrument?" She said, "A quarter a piece."

So, I gave her $5 for the whole box, and I took them back to my class. I started carving the wax and I loved it. I couldn't wait to get to class. I brought my work home with me, and I made so much jewelry that semester, set so much stone.

I realized at that moment that I was meant to work with my hands, and if I could be a dentist and working on teeth with these same instruments, then I would never work a day in my life. And that's been the case.

- Dr. Tatiana Herzog.

The daughter of a dentist and an educator respectively, Dr. Schaumberg regularly combines her expertise in the field of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery with her inherited commitment to education by teaching. Dr. Schaumberg has led courses and clinics at Broward County’s Dental Research Clinic, lectures to the dental students at Nova Southeastern University Dental School, and teaches continuing education courses in a variety of areas including lasers, CAT scans, dentoalveolar surgery, implants, bone grafting, cosmetic surgery, pathology and reconstruction. She regularly donates her services to charity by participating in Dentistry from the Heart, Broward County Dental Clinic, and Holocaust Survivor Donated Dental Services and is the founder and president of the local Women’s Dental Study Group. She serves as a mentor for many programs including the Pine Crest School Summer Externship Program, Alpha Omega International Fraternity’s Externship Program, and Nova Southeastern University Dental School’s students as well as others. She makes herself readily available to her young patients who are considering fields in medicine and dentistry for both educational advice and in-office observation to help guide them on their respective paths. Dr. Schaumberg considers working with young and aspiring dentists an honor and a pleasure. She serves on the Board of Florida Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and is the Chair of the Hospital and Insurance Committee. Dr. Schaumberg is current in all the new and emerging technologies in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Anesthesia. She keeps up-to-date in her continuing education and attends a variety of courses to refine her skills and further her education.

Although she gives her patients and profession the utmost priority, her family is her greatest accomplishment. Her husband and three children are her best cheerleaders and the loves of her life. With her friendly, gentle, caring manner, Dr. Schaumberg strives to care for all of her patients as if they were family.