About Us

At Kendall Oral Surgery, we’ve assembled a team of knowledgeable, highly trained professionals to provide you with the surgical treatment you need and deserve. Together, we work to make your visit as comfortable  and as easy as possible.

Dr. Edmund I. Parnes

Edmund Parnes grew up in Miami and graduated from Miami Senior High School. He attended Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee and then went on to pursue his dental education at the University of Pittsburgh School Dentistry. After he earned his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree, his residency training in oral and maxillofacial surgery took place at Jackson Memorial Hospital of Miami, Florida and the University of Texas Medical Center in Houston. He also has a year of anesthesia residency at Presbyterian Hospital at the University of Pittsburgh. His residency training was interrupted for service in the United States Army at Fort Hood, TX during the Vietnam conflict.

Since then, Dr. Parnes has been in private practice as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. He is a member of numerous professional organizations, including the South Florida District Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, the American Dental Association, the Florida Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology. He has served as president of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the Florida Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, the South Florida District Dental Association and president of the Florida Dental Association.

Dr. Parnes is board certified by both the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the National Dental Board of Anesthesiology. His current hospital affiliations are with Baptist Hospital, Baptist Medical Arts Surgery Center, and South Miami Hospital.

Outside of the practice, Dr. Parnes serves as Chairman of the Historic Preservation Board of the City of Coral Gables, and is Vice Chairman The Board of Trustees of the Historical Museum of Southern Florida. He enjoys spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, as well as golfing and boating.

Dr. Brett A. Paredes

Brett Paredes grew up in Boston, Massachusetts. After receiving his Bachelor’s degree from Occidental College in Los Angeles, California, he returned to his hometown to study dentistry at Tufts University. He received his Doctor of Dental Medicine degree in 1997, and moved to South Florida where he completed his internship and residency in oral and maxillofacial surgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital and the University of Miami. During this time, he also attended medical school at the University of Miami where he received his medical degree in 2001. Dr Paredes has also completed an additional fellowship in anesthesiology at Jackson Memorial Hospital.

Dr. Paredes belongs to several professional organizations. He is a Fellow of the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology, and a Diplomate of the National Dental Board of Anesthesia. He is a Board Eligible member of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, and a member of the Florida Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Miami Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Florida Dental Society of Anesthesiology, South Dade Dental Society, Florida Society of Anesthesiology, the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, the South Florida District Dental Society, the Riviera Study Club, President-Miami Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons , Vice-President-Greater Miami Dental Society, and on staff at Baptist Hospital, Baptist Hospital Medical Arts Surgical Center, and volunteers at Lyndsay-Hopkins Dental Clinic in Miami.

Outside of the office, Dr. Paredes lives in Miami and enjoys spending time with his two sons.

Our Team

Joan Padykula – Front Desk Administrator Joan joined has been in our practice for more than 15 years; she has been helping our patients with their financial concerns, insurance questions, and other front desk issues in our practice. She received her Masters degree in Health Services Administration from Florida International University. Outside of the office, Joan enjoys spending time with her husband, being involved with her three children and their school activities, as well as jogging, going to the gym, cooking, and reading.

Catalina M. Fernandez – Receptionist Catalina joined our practice in 2007; as the newest member of our front desk team, she is happy to greet our patients as they enter the practice, on the phone and answer all their questions. Catalina completed the Professional level CPR with the American Safety and Health Institute. After hours, Catalina enjoys spending time with her husband, a good movie and outdoor activities.

Cecilia Aguedelo – Accounts Representative Cecilia joined our practice in 2006; she is in charge of all the office patient accounts regarding insurance and billing matters. Cecilia has been in this field for over fifteen years, specifically in oral and maxillofacial surgery billing. When not at work, she enjoys outdoor activities, watching old movies and reading a good book. Cecilia has two daughters, Jenny, who is a nurse at Baptist Hospital and Jacky, who attends college in New York.

Melissa Marrero – Surgical Assistant Melissa joined our practice in 2000; she is our senior surgical assistant. Melissa has helped our patients through surgery and answered their treatment questions. She graduated from Robert Morgan Vocational Institute and she is certified in Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support. She also completed the Advanced Anesthesia Assistant Program with the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their two sons.

Marlene Patterson – Surgical Assistant Marlene joined our practice in 2003; she had worked before with Dr. Parnes for almost fifteen years. She assists surgery, as well as helps our patients feel more comfortable and at ease while in our practice. She is certified in Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support. Marlene also completed the Advanced Anesthesia Assistant Program with the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Outside of the office, she has five children and her favorite thing to do is spend time with them.

Leticia Ascuntar – Surgical Assistant Letty joined our practice in 2006; she is another of our fine surgical assistant. Letty is highly trained and experienced in assisting with oral surgery procedures. She is a caring and kind person who loves to help our patients. She is fully trained in CPR and Basic Life Support. Letty enjoys spending time at the beach with her husband and three sons.

Heather Garces - Surgical Assistant Heather has been a surgical assistant at our office since 1992. Heather has been certified through the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons as a Anesthesia Assistant. She is CPR certified and ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certified. Heather makes sure all of our clinical needs are well met and helps the office to run efficiently.   Heather is a recent graduate from nursing school. She has a lovely daughter, who keeps her quite busy outside of the office.