Meet OUR Doctors
DR. MIMI
Dr. Annemarie “Mimi” DeLessio-Matta is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and a member of the College of Diplomates. Dr. Mimi was a recipient of a Presidential Scholarship at Saint Francis University, Loretto, PA where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1989. She was also a graduate of the Honors Program. While at SFU, she lettered in women's soccer and basketball. She was elected co-captain of the soccer team for three years. She was active in student government and a member of Phi Delta Kappa sorority.
In 1993, she graduated with a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Connecticut, School of Dental Medicine in Farmington, CT. She completed a general practice residency in 1994 at Brigham and Women's Hospital/ Harvard Medical School in Boston, MA.
Dr. Mimi received her Pediatric Dental training at St. Barnabas Hospital in Bronx, NY in 1997 and also served as Chief Resident. While at St Barnabas, she had the opportunity to treat patients with special needs at the Rose F. Kennedy Center at Jacobi Medical Center. She is currently on staff at St. Mary's Hospital in Waterbury, CT. She is an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the Connecticut Society of Pediatric Dentists. She served as officer on the Executive Board of the Dental Society of Greater Waterbury. She has served on the CSDA Access to Care Committee, the Council on Membership and the Give Kids a Smile Committee. She has been a member of the CSDA Board of Governor’s since 2016 where she was a delegate to the American Dental Association and appointed to the ADA Political Action Committee. In 2021, she served as the President of the CSDA and is most proud of her efforts advocating for dentists and the citizens of Connecticut during the pandemic. And she currently continues to advocate for oral health awareness locally and nationally.
Dr. Mimi resides in Woodbury, CT with her husband, Chris and has three adult sons, Zachary, Jacob and Christopher. She was a member of the Parks and Recreation Committee and the Nonnewaug Athletic Club. She volunteers for the Woodbury-Bethlehem Youth Soccer Club and St. Teresa Church. During her down time, she enjoys watching college and professional sports but cherishes most, the time she gets to spend traveling and dining (or tailgating!) with her family.
DR. ELINA
Dr. Elina Bilman is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and a member of the College of Diplomates. Dr. Elina graduated summa cum laude from the State University of New York at Binghamton with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 2002. She went on to receive her degree in Dental Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania where she was a Deans Scholarship recipient and was inaugurated into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Honor Society. During her time at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Elina was involved in craniofacial research of patients with bilateral cleft lip and palate. Her research was presented at the 56th annual American Cleft Palate and Craniofacial Association meeting.
She received her pediatric dental training at the University of Connecticut, School of Dental Medicine, as well as at the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford, CT. At that time, she had the opportunity to treat children of all ages, as well as children with special needs and compromising medical conditions. She currently holds hospital privileges at the Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford, CT and St. Mary's Hospital in Waterbury, CT.
Dr. Elina holds active memberships with the American Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, Connecticut State Dental Association and the Connecticut Society of Pediatric Dentists.
During her free time, Dr. Elina enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, traveling, Latin and ballroom dancing, running and spending time in New York City.
DR. ARYA
Dr. Arya Saniee grew up in Woodbury, CT and is excited to be back serving in his area. Dr. Arya graduated from Tufts University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science degree in both Biology and Psychology. After working for 2 years and doing research at the UConn Health Center, he went on to receive his dental degree at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). During his time at UCSF, Dr. Saniee was actively involved as a board member for the pediatric dental interest group and helped organize community outreach events in the San Francisco Bay Area. While in school Dr. Arya participated in an outreach mission providing dental treatment to underserved children and their families in Mexico. He also played for the dental school's indoor soccer team which competed against the other schools at the university.
Dr. Arya's love of pediatric dentistry was inspired in large part by his own early experiences here at the office. He went on to receive his pediatric dental training at the University of Connecticut, School of Dental Medicine and the Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford, CT. There, he was provided the opportunity to treat children of all ages, as well as those with special needs and compromising medical conditions.
Dr. Arya holds active memberships with the American Dental Association and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
In his spare time, Dr. Arya likes to travel, exercise and play sports, and most importantly spend time with his family and friends. He has recently taken up an interest in planting.
DR. TONY, Founder, Partner Emeritus
Dr. Antonio “Tony” Lepore, Jr. is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and a member of the College of Diplomates. Dr. Antonio “Tony” Lepore Jr. graduated magna cum laude from the State University of New York in Albany with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. He continued in the SUNY system and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Stony Brook in 1986. After completing a general practice residency at Albany Medical Center, he participated in a postgraduate program at the teaching center of Cornell at North Shore University Hospital. There, he was recruited and served as the residency program director and assistant professor of Surgery at Albany Medical College.
In 1994, he completed a residency and fellowship in Pediatric Dentistry at the University of Connecticut, School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Tony opened Pediatric Dental Associates of Southbury as a solo practitioner in January 1995. He currently helds the title of Assistant Professor at the UCONN School of Dental Medicine, where he taught both dental students and pediatric dental residents at the Burgdorf Dental Clinic, and the Connecticut Children's Medical Center, both in Hartford, CT.
Dr. Tony retired from Pediatric Dental Associates in 2020. He currently resides in Asheville, North Carolina but always keeps in touch and always asks about our patients!