Meet The Doctors
Dr. Fred White and Dr. Gina Nicoloso
Dr. Fred A. White, D.D.S.
Dr. Fred White is a graduate of the Doctor of Dental Surgery program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill which is consistently ranked as one of the top dental medicine and surgery programs in the world. Founded in the 1700’s the University of North Carolina is the oldest state university in the United States and is one of the original eight flagship public colleges known as Ivy.
Dr. White served on the University of North Carolina’s Honor Court and also earned a Baccalaureate of Science Degree in Biochemistry from East Carolina University. Dr. White was an investigative researcher at the East Carolina University School of Medicine and held a post graduate research position at preeminent Duke University.
Dr. White has been caring for patients from Alachua, Marion, Putnam and Clay Counties for 30 plus years in private practice and as a hospital dental surgeon on the medical staff at Ocala Regional Medical Center, Marion Community Hospital and West Marion Community Hospital. Dr. White is also a Clinical Professor at the University of Florida serving on the courtesy faculty.
Dr. White is married to Dr. Michele White whose practice focus is pediatric dentistry and for the past 30 plus years has had offices in Ocala and Palatka. Dr. Michele White has also been on the medical staff with surgical privileges at Ocala Regional Medical Center, Marion Community Hospital and West Marion Community Hospital. Dr. Michele White is double graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was a researcher at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. Dr. Michele White is also a Clinical Professor at the University of Florida serving on the courtesy faculty.
The White family has a long history here on Orange Lake and the prairies with ranching and farming. They also have strong ties to the University of Florida and are part of the UF Legacy Society.
Dr. Gina Nicoloso, D.M.D.
Dr. Gina Nicoloso is a graduate of the Doctor of Dental Medicine program at the University of Florida and received Dean’s List honors for high academic achievement. Dr. Nicoloso also earned a Baccalaureate of Science Degree with Highest Honors in Biology and a Minor in Chemistry from Florida State University.
Dr. Nicoloso is an experienced clinician having been in private practice in Tallahassee and providing needed care in multiple overseas mission trips to Ecuador, Guatemala, and the Dominican Republic.
Dr. Nicoloso is currently an active member of the Academy of General Dentistry, American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, and the American Association of Women Dentists. She is committed to professional continuing education in order to remain knowledgeable with state-of-the-art technology, procedures, and materials in advanced dentistry. Dr. Nicoloso is also a Clinical Professor at the University of Florida serving on the courtesy faculty.
Dr. Nicoloso is a Florida native with strong community ties. Her husband Clay is Vice Principal at Howard Bishop Middle School and has served as Vice Principal at Hawthorne Middle and High School.
Dr. Jay H. Garlitz, D.M.D.
Dr. Jay Garlitz is a graduate of the Doctor of Dental Medicine program at the University of Florida. Dr. Garlitz earned a Baccalaureate of Science Degree with High Honors in Chemistry from the University of Florida. Dr. Garlitz is Past President of the Alachua County Dental Association and has served in leadership positions for numerous American Dental Association and Florida Dental Association Councils and Committees. He was recognized as Dentist of the Year by the Florida Dental Association and Alumnus of the Year by the University of Florida College of Dentistry.
Dr. Garlitz has been caring for patients from Alachua, Marion, Putnam and Clay Counties since 1982 and is a Courtesy Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Florida College of Dentistry.
Historical Note:
Dr. James Seale Matthews, D.D.S. (1928-1981)
Gator Dental’s foundations began in 1957 with Dr. James Seale Matthews, D.D.S.
Dr. Matthews served in the Navy during World War II, and graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science and Master’s degree in bacteriology / biochemistry. In 1957 he received his Doctorate in Dental Surgery from Emory University and returned to Hawthorne.
He is credited with bringing an emergency medical program to the city, acquiring federal funds for a new fire station and fluoridating the city’s water supply preventing children’s dental disease.
Dr. Matthews was a civic leader, serving as Hawthorne mayor, councilman, and represented Alachua County on the North Central Florida Regional Planning Council.
He was an active member of the Alachua County Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry.
University of Florida President Dr. Kent Fuchs, Linda Fuchs, and the White Family
