I was born in a small town in Puerto Rico and grew up in Sebring, Florida. I attended the University of Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine, graduating with honors in 2009 with my Doctorate of Dental Medicine (DMD).



Next, I completed a two-year pediatric dental residency with University Pediatric Hospital Puerto Rico Medical Center and the San Juan Municipal Hospital. Both of these institutions are highly regarded for delivering exceptional children’s medical care across Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. I was honored to be chosen as Chief Resident, awarded Outstanding Resident and graduated in 2011 with a Certificate in Pediatric Dentistry. 

I’m currently a professor in a Pediatric Dentistry Residency program for a community health center in Tampa Bay. There, I train general dentists working toward their Certification in Pediatric Dentistry with the NYU Langone Dental Medicine (Florida site).I also have privileges at Tampa General Hospital and the BayCare Hospitals.

Dr. Taimy Cruz Hondares was born and raised in Cuba. Early in her teen years, inspired by her beloved family dentist, she discovered her passion for dentistry. She obtained her DDS in 2008 from the Higher Institute of Medical Science of Havana-Cuba. She then completed a 2-year General Practice Residency in Cuba. After practicing in Cuba for 6 years, she moved to United States. 

Dr. Cruz chose to become accredited in the United States by attending and graduating from Western Health Education Northside Center in Youngstown, OH in 2017, where she

completed her second General Practice Residency. Dr. Cruz, then obtained her master’ s degree in pediatric dentistry at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Her passion to work with children has motivated her to be the best dentist and person to her patients. The smiles on the faces of her patients and their parents are immensely satisfying and gives Dr. Cruz great joy.