About Us
Meet Our Doctors
Three Experienced Women Dentists, One Shared Commitment to You
Practice Owner & Lead General Dentist
Dr. Ishbel Nieves-Reyes, D.M.D.
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Dr. Nieves has called Lake County home since 2008 and has proudly owned Highland Lakes Dental since 2011. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Biology with an emphasis in Human Anatomy from the University of Puerto Rico in 2003, then went on to receive her Doctorate in Dental Medicine from the University of Puerto Rico School of Dental Medicine in 2007. After dental school, she completed a General Practice Residency at the Malcolm Randall VA Medical Center in Gainesville, where she gained valuable experience caring for medically complex patients and deepened her knowledge of oral and facial pain. Dr. Nieves is an active member of the American Dental Association, the Florida Dental Association, and the Lake County Dental Society. She believes ongoing education is the key to providing the most up-to-date care, and she takes pride in helping every patient understand their oral health and reach their version of a healthy, happy smile. Spanish-speaking patients are always welcome. She lives in Groveland with her husband Erik. Outside of the office, she enjoys reading, running, kayaking, and traveling internationally to experience new cultures.
Associate General Dentist
Dr. Poonam Popat, D.M.D.
Dr. Popat grew up in Orlando and earned her Bachelor's degree in Microbiology and Molecular Biology from the University of Central Florida in 2009. She went on to complete her Doctorate in Dental Medicine at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale in 2013. After graduating, she began practicing as a general dentist and has continued her education ever since to bring the most up-to-date care to her patients. Her approach is rooted in customization, every treatment plan is tailored to the patient in her chair, with the goal of helping them feel confident in their smile and their oral health. She joined the Highland Lakes Dental team in 2021. Dr. Popat married her husband Preet in 2017 and is mom to her son Shayden and her daughter Kahani. The family spent time in Austin, Texas, where she discovered a love for hiking and food trucks, before moving back to Florida to be near family. When she is not at the office, she enjoys traveling internationally and going on adventures with her loved ones.
Associate General Dentist
Dr. Sara Elizabeth Moore, D.M.D.
A Florida native from St. Cloud, Dr. Moore has a deep passion for patient-centered dental care. She graduated from the Burnett Honors College at the University of Central Florida in 2019 with a Bachelor's degree in Biomedical Sciences and a minor in Psychology, then earned her Doctorate in Dental Medicine from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry in Kentucky. Dr. Moore knows that dental anxiety is common, and she has built her practice style around making every patient feel comfortable, heard, and at ease. Her goal is to deliver thorough, compassionate dental care while creating positive, trusting experiences her patients can count on visit after visit. Outside of dentistry, Dr. Moore is a proud Star Wars fan, an avid weight lifter, and a video game enthusiast. She loves exploring local restaurants and spending time with her two cats, Naboo and Sabine.
Visiting Periodontist
Dr. Marissa Crandall Cruz
Dr. Crandall Cruz joins the Highland Lakes Dental team a few times each month to provide specialized periodontal care for our patients. As a periodontist, she focuses on the health of the gums and the bone that support your teeth, along with the surgical placement and restoration of dental implants. Having a periodontist in-house means our patients can receive advanced gum and implant care from a trusted specialist, in the same comfortable office they already know and without being referred out to an unfamiliar practice. Dr. Crandall Cruz partners closely with Dr. Nieves and our team to coordinate every step of your care, from initial evaluation through treatment and recovery. Whether you need treatment for gum disease, gum or bone grafting, crown lengthening, or full implant solutions like All-on-4, you can count on a seamless experience and a clear plan that fits your goals.
Ready to Get Started?
Give us a call or book online — we're currently accepting new patients of all ages.