Damaries Candelario-Soto, DMD
When asked what she enjoys most about her profession, her response is a testament of her eager enthusiasm for life, “Performing root canal treatments is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get! Every day is a joyful challenge. The best part of all is creating a positive experience for patients as they find that a root canal is a painless procedure that can rid them of pain and infection and can save teeth that otherwise would have been lost.”
Dr. Candelario-Soto grew up in Carolina, Puerto Rico. She attended Antilles High School in Fort Buchanan and completed Pre-Dentistry program from the University of Puerto Rico. She received her DMD from the University of Puerto Rico Dental School, followed by a Masters in Public Health (MPH) and Fellow in Nutrition and Oral Health from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She practiced in private practice for several years before commissioning as an Officer in the US Air Force.
Her first duty station was Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, South Carolina, where she spent three years as a general dentist. Later she transferred to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas where she received her Certificate in Endodontics from US Air Force Endodontic Residency.
After her specialty training completion she was transferred to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan where she spent three years as the Chief of Endodontic Department. She then returned to Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio to serve as the Director, Resident Education and Training of the US Air Force Endodontic Residency. She served as Endodontic Consultant for the US Air Force Reserves from 2007 through 2015 when she retired after 22 years of service!
Dr. Candelario-Soto is a proud member of the US Air Force Retired Reserves, Military Officers Association of America, American Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontists.
She and her husband currently reside in West Cobb and are very busy raising their three sons.
Yanina Figueroa, DMD
When colleagues ask her why she decided endodontics as a specialty she responds, “I love the challenge, every person and tooth is different. There is never a dull moment just a dull bur!”
Dr. Yanina Figueroa grew up in Sabana Grande of Puerto Rico. She attended her town’s public high school, Blanca Malaret and obtained a bachelor’s degree of science in Biology from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez Campus. She received her DMD from the University Of Puerto Rico School Of Dental Medicine and followed with two years of General Practice Residency in the University Of Puerto Rico, School of Dental Medicine. There she dealt with different health-compromised patients and worked in an interdisciplinary setting at a hospital environment. After completion of her two-year residence she joined the faculty of the General Practice Residency for The Diabetes Clinic and The University District Hospital. While serving as faculty she pursued a Masters in Public Health, graduating in 2011 from the University of Puerto Rico, Public Health Department.
During her post-graduate years she developed a passion for endodontics while working as a general dentist in private practice. Dr. Yanina Figueroa materialized her dreams by completing her training in endodontics from The University of Pennsylvania. There she was trained utilizing the newest technology and following the University of Pennsylvania vision of excellence in endodontics.
She enjoys providing patients the most positive experience during visits and works synergistically with the general dentist to ensure the best treatment is rendered.
She is currently part of the Georgia Dental Association and is a Diplomate of the American Association of Endodontists.
She resides in Smyrna with her dog, Rocco, enjoys traveling and refurbishing antique furniture (doing any crafts in general, she is a MacGyver).
Joseph Yoo, DDS
Dr. Joseph Yoo grew up in California and obtained a bachelor’s degree in molecular and cell biology at University of California, Berkeley. He continued his studies at University of Michigan, Ann Arbor School of Dentistry where he received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree.
After graduating from dental school, he returned to California to expand his clinical skills by completing a General Practice Residency at Jerry Pettis Memorial Veterans Hospital in Loma Linda, CA. He then practiced in California and Washington as a general dentist for the next 14 years. During that time, he served as the dental director at Seattle Indian Health Board and assistant dental director at International Community Health Services, where he also served as a clinical director of an Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency program.
To realize his dream of specializing in endodontics, Dr. Yoo attended the postgraduate endodontic residency at University of Alabama, Birmingham where he earned his Certificate in Endodontics. Upon completion of the residency, he and his family decided to settle down in Georgia.
He is a member of the American Association of Endodontics.
Shaletha Bolden, DDS, MSD
Dr. Shaletha Bolden is a native of Fairfield, Alabama. She received Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Alabama State University. She then went on to receive her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Meharry Medical College. As a dental student she was also inducted into the Omicron Omicron Chapter of Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society.
Dr. Bolden completed her endodontic training at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio where she received her Certificate in Endodontics and a Master of Science in Dentistry. Dr. Bolden has also served as an Assistant Professor of Endodontics at Meharry Medical College. She is a member of the American Association of Endodontists.
Dr. Bolden and her husband, Kevin have 4 daughters. The Boldens enjoy traveling, bowling and watching movies.
Dr. Yasir Al-Drugh
Dr. Al-Drugh grew up in Dekalb county, where he attended Lakeside High School. He proceeded to complete a bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences (Summa Cum Laude) from Georgia State University. He then received his Doctor in Dental Surgery from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia.
After completing his dental residency and practicing as a general dentist for two years in Springfield, Massachusetts, Dr. Al-Drugh decided to specialize in endodontics. He completed his endodontic education at Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. He has vast experience in teaching emergency medicine in the dental office to medical residents of Albany Medical Center. He is an active member of the American Association of Endodontists, the American Dental Association, and the Delta Sigma Delta International Dental Fraternity.
Dr. Al-Drugh and his lovely wife Amina enjoy traveling and spending time with family. He loves playing soccer and, ultimately frisbee.