Ric SanPedro, DDS
Dr. Ric SanPedro, DDS, is a highly experienced general dentist currently accepting locum tenens assignments throughout Florida. He has been practicing dentistry since 1982 and remains actively engaged in clinical care, with no plans of retiring due to his continued passion for the profession. Known for his meticulous approach and extensive clinical skill set, he provides comprehensive dental care across a wide range of disciplines including oral surgery, endodontics, pediatrics, periodontics, and restorative dentistry.
Dr. SanPedro earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biology, graduating cum laude from West Virginia University, before completing his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree at the West Virginia University School of Dentistry in approximately three and a half years. He went on to complete a General Practice Residency (GPR) in Advanced General Dentistry at the University of Florida, Gainesville VA Medical Center, where he gained advanced clinical training. Early in his career, he built and operated a successful private practice on Siesta Key in Sarasota for 25 years, located just one block from the beach, before selling the practice in 2005 to shift his focus away from administrative responsibilities and toward patient care.
Since 2005, Dr. SanPedro has worked extensively with Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) in locum tenens and long-term associate roles, often staying with practices for several years at a time. He is widely respected for his attention to detail, earning him the nickname “Picky Ricky,” and his commitment to delivering high-quality, technology-driven dentistry. He is passionate about transforming patient experiences, particularly helping those with dental anxiety become comfortable and confident in receiving care. For Dr. SanPedro, dentistry is not only a profession but a lifelong calling centered on improving lives through healthy, beautiful smiles and compassionate treatment.
• West Virginia University - BA, Zoology/Animal Biology
• West Virginia University - DDS, Dentistry
• GPR, Advanced General Dentistry
• American Dental Association
• Florida Dental Association
• Central Florida Dental Association
• Volunteer dental exams for Armed Forces personnel
• Charity dental work
Areas of Specialization/Expertise
- Pediatrics
- Oral Surgery
- Endodontics
- Periodontal
- Dental Implants
- Cosmetic Dentistry
What do you enjoy most about practicing medicine?
I love what I do because dentistry is a wonderful profession where you can change people's lives. For people like us who have had beautiful smiles all our lives, we don't realize how horrible it must be when you don't have one. You don't want to smile because you don't want to show something that you're ashamed of, so when you change that in them, it changes their whole outlook on life. They change completely. I had a receptionist who didn't like her smile, and after I did veneers for her and gave her a beautiful smile, she transformed from this little person into a total diva - her hair changed, she lost weight, she became confident. That's where I feel like I get my kicks in the industry, because I can change how people feel about themselves. I've had patients come in bawling and terrified, and I've turned them into patients that love to come see dentists. I also love that the technology keeps coming out - it's amazing and it blows me away every time I see something new. The materials we work with today are so easy to work with and make it so easy to do high-quality dentistry. That's the reason I don't want to quit, because they keep coming up with things now that I'm just blown away by. I truly love what I do, and I like what I do today because I am able to spend time with my patients.
Locations
Private Company
Clairmont, FL 34711