We’re looking forward to introducing you to Anelisse Martínez Marino. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Anelisse, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
7 years after I first started my dental practice and when I was first featured by Voyage MIA, the most misunderstood thing about my business is the belief that I’ve ‘moved away’ from family dentistry to focus only on cosmetics. In reality, my journey has never been about abandoning one for the other—it’s been about growth, evolution, and honoring every chapter of my life.
When I went through personal hardships, many people might have assumed I was reinventing myself out of loss. But I don’t see it that way. I see it as expansion. Marino Family Dental remains at the heart of my work, rooted in community and family care, while Anelisse Aesthetic Dental Design represents my rebirth—the artistic, high-end side of dentistry that reflects the person I’ve become.
To me, there is no contradiction. There’s no loss. There’s only learning, and a deeper commitment to serving patients in every way—from essential care to life-changing smile transformations.
My business is so much more than fixing just teeth. For me, it’s about stories, confidence, and care. Whether it’s restoring function for someone who couldn’t chew comfortably or designing a dream smile for someone who’s been hiding in photos, every case is about changing someone’s life—not just their smile.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Dr. Anelisse Martinez-Marino. I’m a proud first-generation Cuban American and a double Gator, having earned both my B.S. in Integrative Biology (2009) and my DMD (2013) from the University of Florida. I began my career deeply committed to expanding access to care for underserved and minority populations, balancing private practice with community service.
Seven years ago, I took a leap of faith and founded Marino Family Dental, a practice built from the ground up and recognized in Voyage MIA’s Most Inspiring Stories for being a started from the ground female-owned private dental practice whose focus and mission was to remain patient centric, providing comprehensive, quality, and affordable dental care for the entire family. Over time, my professional journey and personal growth inspired me to expand into Anelisse Aesthetic Dental Design—a brand that reflects my passion for high-end cosmetic dentistry, where I collaborate with a master local ceramist to create custom porcelain veneer smile transformations.
What makes my work unique is this fusion of family and aesthetic care. I haven’t left one behind for the other—both remain central to who I am. I am also passionate about teaching and mentorship, whether it’s training dental assistant externs, lecturing UF dental students about practice ownership, or encouraging women to lead with both strength and balance.
Today, I’m focused not only on transforming smiles, but also on giving back through my upcoming ‘Smiles from the Heart’ initiative, which will open my practice once a year to provide free essential care to uninsured patients. At the heart of everything I do—whether it’s community dentistry, cosmetic artistry, or mentorship—is a commitment to leaving a legacy of love, resilience, and excellence for both my children and my community.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was simply Anelisse—a curious little girl who loved science but also loved people’s stories. I grew up as a first-generation Cuban American daughter, watching my parents sacrifice so I could have the opportunities they never had. That gave me both pride and pressure, but also a deep sense of responsibility to honor their journey while finding my own.
Life, challenges, and even heartbreak have shaped me, but they never erased me. If anything, they brought me back to that original self—the one who believes there is no loss, only learning. Today, I carry both the heart of that little girl and the strength of a woman who has redesigned her own path in a much similar way that I dedicate myself to redesigning a patient smile transformation. Creating a life and a brand that reflect not just what I do, but who I truly am is existentially what connects with my patients.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes—there was a time I almost gave up, and it was during COVID. Overnight, the practice I had poured my heart into was forced to shut its doors. I remember standing in my empty office, wondering how I would support my team, care for my patients, and provide for my children. At the same time, I was navigating life having a new baby and as a newly single mother. The weight of it all felt unbearable at times.
But instead of giving up, I chose to fight forward. Carrying new life in the middle of such global uncertainty gave me a deeper kind of strength. It reminded me that even in the darkest seasons, there is always growth waiting to emerge. COVID tested me in every possible way, but it also ended up putting me on a path that would end up being the catalyst for my evolution—which would eventually put me exactly in the place I needed to be to fuel the reimagination of my practice into Anelisse Aesthetic Dental Design and planting the vision for my ‘Smiles from the Heart’ initiative.
Along the way, I also learned one of the most valuable lessons about leadership: that it’s not about power, but about people. You are only as strong as the team that stands beside you. I learned the importance of surrounding yourself with a few quality people—those who uplift, support, and share your vision. That season birthed more than a child—it birthed a renewed sense of resilience, a stronger business, and a legacy I’m determined to leave for both my family and my community.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies the dental industry tells itself is that patients only care about speed and price. Dentistry is often marketed as if it’s a commodity—something you can package, ship out, or cut corners on. But teeth aren’t products, they’re part of someone’s health, identity, and confidence. What truly matters is quality, artistry, and trust.
Another misconception is in cosmetic dentistry: the idea that a ‘perfect smile’ means making everyone look the same. Too often, veneers are treated like a one-size-fits-all template. In reality, the most beautiful smiles aren’t flat, uniform, or ‘chiclet white’—they’re carefully designed to enhance a person’s natural features. That’s why I work closely with a master local ceramist who understands that every smile should be as individual as a fingerprint.
And perhaps the most damaging lie of all is that dentistry is just about teeth. For me, it’s about people—building confidence, restoring health, and helping someone feel like the best version of themselves. When you stop believing the industry’s lies and start seeing patients as whole people, that’s when dentistry becomes truly life-changing.
Those that understand this are what make them visionary within our great profession which is what I aspire to one day make a mark in being.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. How do you know when you’re out of your depth?
I know I’m out of my depth when I stop feeling like I have clarity. For me, dentistry is both science and art—but it’s also leadership, business, and motherhood. There have been moments where I’ve realized I can’t possibly know everything, and that’s not a weakness—it’s a sign of growth.
The real strength is recognizing when it’s time to lean on others. Whether it’s consulting a specialist for a complex case, leaning on my team in the office, or seeking mentorship outside of dentistry, I’ve learned that leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about knowing when to ask for help.
That’s why I believe in surrounding myself with a small circle of quality people. They don’t just fill in the gaps; they help me see things differently, so I can continue to evolve as a dentist, a business owner, and a person.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.marinofamilydental.com
- Instagram: @marinofamilydental and @anelisseaesthetic
Image Credits
Samantha Ramírez Photography
