Meet Our Doctors in Melbourne, FL

Dr. Matt Sheldon is an experienced and knowledgeable dentist who is here to help patients enhance their lives with crowns, bridges, veneers, dentures and cosmetic dental care.

Education and advanced training

Dr. Matt Sheldon received his Bachelor of Health Science at the University of Florida and went on to earn his Doctorate of Dental Medicine at the renowned Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. He also earned a Certificate in Advanced Education in General Dentistry from Texas A&M Health Science Center. To keep up-to-date on the latest technology and treatment options in dentistry, he is committed to continuing his education in order to provide the most effective and minimally invasive dental care possible.

He continues to take advanced courses at both the Pankey Institute in Key Biscayne, Florida and Spear Education in Scotsdale, Arizona. Both are world-renowned for their comprehensive approach to full mouth dentistry.

Outside the office

Dr. Matt enjoys working out, traveling, watching and playing sports and spending time with his family. He married his high school sweetheart, Jenifer, and they have two children.

Professional affiliations and leadership

• President of the Brevard County Dental Society
• Member of Florida Academy of General Dentistry
• Member of Florida Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
• Member of Central Florida District Dental Association
• Member of Florida Dental Association and American Dental Association

Professional Recognition

Dr. Matt Sheldon has been selected by Incisal Edge magazine as one of the top 40 dentists under the age of 40 in the U.S. He was nominated by Joseph McGrath of Benco Dental and received supporting documentation from Danyel Salmela and Dr. Michel Furtado.

As we all know, Dr. Matt does exceptional work for our patients. His knowledge and his dentistry are well beyond his years. All of us are very fortunate to have him as our restorative dentist, providing first-class skill and excellence every day.

And now a national publication recognizes his achievements.

See the full article here.

And so it is as Dr. Matt Sheldon and Dr. Michel Furtado create beautiful and functional solutions for their patients.

Periodontist & Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology

Dr. Michel Furtado is a board-certified periodontist and owner of Sheldon and Furtado, PLLC (SolidBite). With more than 45 years of tradition behind the practice, Dr. Furtado is committed to providing high-quality surgical and restorative care to patients throughout Brevard County and beyond.

Dr. Furtado has developed a reputation for treating complex periodontal and implant cases, including full-mouth reconstruction, advanced bone and soft-tissue grafting, immediate implant rehabilitation, and comprehensive implant-based reconstruction. His approach combines advanced surgical techniques, digital treatment planning, and restorative considerations from the very beginning of treatment to create predictable, functional, and natural-looking results.

Education and Advanced Training

Dr. Furtado earned his dental degree from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) in Brazil in 2003. He began his career as the owner of a private dental practice in Brazil before pursuing advanced education in North America.

In 2008, he completed a Master of Science degree at the University of Toronto under the mentorship of Dr. John E. Davies, a renowned researcher in bone healing, implant surface science, and regenerative therapies.

Dr. Furtado went on to complete his specialty residency in Periodontics and Master of Dental Science at the University of Connecticut (UConn) in 2013. During his residency, he received the Auxiliary Scholarship Award, recognizing the top resident among all specialty programs at UConn’s School of Dental Medicine. His master’s research was also selected as a finalist for the prestigious American Academy of Periodontology Orban Competition.

Following residency, Dr. Furtado earned the distinction of Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology.

Expertise in Complex Implant and Reconstructive Dentistry

Dr. Furtado’s clinical focus is the treatment of surgically and restoratively complex cases—particularly patients who have significant deficiencies in both hard and soft tissue.

His expertise includes advanced bone-grafting procedures such as guided bone regeneration, ridge augmentation, socket preservation, and sinus elevation using both lateral and crestal approaches. He also performs soft-tissue grafting procedures, including connective tissue grafts, free gingival grafts, and advanced mucogingival techniques around natural teeth and dental implants.

By combining hard- and soft-tissue reconstruction with comprehensive implant planning, Dr. Furtado works to establish the biological foundation and gingival architecture necessary for long-term function, health, and esthetics.

His treatment philosophy integrates surgical planning, tissue management, digital technology, and prosthetic design from the beginning of care. This comprehensive approach allows him to address cases that may require extensive reconstruction due to periodontal disease, trauma, tooth loss, or severely compromised bone and soft tissue.

Research, Publications, and Innovation

Dr. Furtado has authored 11 scientific publications in leading peer-reviewed journals, including Clinical Oral Implants Research, Biomaterials, Clinical Advances in Periodontics, and Dental Materials.

He has also co-authored chapters in several dental textbooks, including Essential Periodontics, Immediate Loading: A New Era in Oral Implantology, and The Ultimate Mouth Manual.

His undergraduate research resulted in a patent for a controlled-release antibiotic gel developed for use in periodontal surgery.

Digital Dentistry and Laboratory Collaboration

In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Furtado is a co-owner and Consulting Clinician of Smile Pro Lab, a digital dental laboratory specializing in high-end, complex prosthetic solutions. His work with the laboratory allows him to integrate digital dentistry and advanced prosthetic planning with surgical and restorative implant treatment.

Dr. Furtado is also a founder of DrDream and MigTech, companies dedicated to supporting dentists and other healthcare professionals as they transition their careers and establish themselves in the United States.

Education, Professional Affiliations, and Honors

• B.D.S., Federal University of Minas Gerais, Brazil — 2003
• M.Sc., University of Toronto — 2008
• Certificate in Periodontics, University of Connecticut — 2013
• Master of Dental Science, University of Connecticut — 2013
• Auxiliary Scholarship Award, University of Connecticut Health Center
• Finalist, American Academy of Periodontology Orban Competition
• Diplomate, American Board of Periodontology
• Author of 11 peer-reviewed scientific publications
• Co-author of multiple dental textbook chapters
• Holder of a patent for a controlled-release antimicrobial gel for periodontal surgery

Outside the Office

Dr. Furtado enjoys traveling, music, chess, and soccer. He also values spending time with his wife, Michelle, and their children, Alice and Ian.

Founder & Consulting Periodontist

Dr. Lee Sheldon is the founder of Solid Bite and a widely respected authority in dental diagnosis and treatment planning. After delivering comprehensive implant, periodontic, and full-mouth rehabilitation dental services to Melbourne-area residents for over 30 years, Dr. Sheldon has stepped back from surgery and now serves as the practice’s examiner and consulting periodontist — drawing on decades of clinical experience to guide diagnosis and treatment planning for every patient.

Dr. Sheldon has been instrumental in developing the systems that define care at Solid Bite today: an approach built on listening before treating, treating our team and our patients like family, and always providing the best and most predictable treatment options available.

Education and advanced training

Dr. Sheldon earned his DMD from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and completed his periodontics certificate at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. His background includes a dental general practice residency as a Captain at Fort Sill, OK, and service as a dental officer at the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, PA. He also pursued advanced education in dental implants, reconstructive dentistry, and cosmetics, including extended training at the Medical College of Georgia.

Leadership in dental organizations

Dr. Sheldon served as Chairman of the dental department at Holmes Regional Medical Center and has chaired the Brevard Study Club since 1995. He was an associate clinical professor in the University of Florida College of Dentistry’s graduate department of periodontology for over eight years, and co-founded the Institute for Dental Specialists with office manager Danyel Salmella. He has lectured at national and regional periodontal meetings throughout the U.S.

At the forefront of dental innovations

He was the first central Florida dentist to use computer-guided surgery for implant placement and the first to use the dental endoscope for nonsurgical gum disease treatment — innovations that led to the Solid Bite concept he later built the practice’s systems around.

Author and columnist

Dr. Sheldon co-authored “The Ultimate Mouth Manual” and contributes regularly to Senior Scene Magazine’s “Focus on Seniors” column. His topics range from dental care to overall health care. You can read the articles he has written by clicking this link. He is also a regular panelist on the Focus on Seniors programs on radio and television, as well as a sought-after speaker on health care and nutritional topics.

Dr. Vladia believes we must build a provider-patient relationship while conducting personalized patient care consultations to explain treatment options with kindness, compassion, and a solid education foundation. With more than 25 years of experience as a dentist, she is committed to provide complex general and advanced dental care services to her patients.

Education and Advanced Training
(Endodontics, Implants, Prosthodontics, General Dentistry)

Dr. Vladia Coelho obtained her dental degree in Brazil in 1999 from School of Dentistry at FOPUC-RS in Brazil, where she also completed her first fellowship in Molars’ Endodontics, in 1998. Moreover, Dr. Coelho completed a Fellowship in Endodontics at IEAPOM in Brazil, from January 2004 to April 2005. In 2007, she earned her Specialization Degree in Implant Dentistry at CIODONTO in Brazil. In 2022, she earned her D.D.S., after two years in Advanced Education in General Dentistry at Eastman Institute for Oral Health, University of Rochester, NY.

Voluntary Work

Dr. Coelho also engaged in extensive volunteer work. In July of 1998 and in January of 1999, she volunteered as a dentistry student in the University Dental Project, called Litoral Project, serving the needy population in a coastal city, during the holidays. She performed education and preventive care in Osorio/RS – Brazil. Between October of 1998 and June of 1999 she attended two Internships in Municipal Health Secretary (SMS) – Volunteer Health Dental Service and Dentistry Internship in the Public Health Office of the Rio Grande do Sul State in Brazil, where she supervised and trained workers of Communities Day Care Centers, regarding oral health actions; promoting oral health for children, educational activities for parents, and the survey of children’s oral health conditions and preventive actions.

Professional Recognition

Over the course of her career, Dr. Vladia Coelho attended multiple courses and conferences, presenting several lectures, and posters as well, in order to continually expand her knowledge and expertise. In 1997, she earned an Honorable Mention Award by the Dean of Research and Post Graduation Department of PUCRS/Brazil, for excellence in the research “Ethnic Cephalometry”, presented at I Scientific Research Initiation Journey, at PUCRS. Dr. Coelho also won a Vote of Praise in May of 1998 for notable services as a member of the Organizing Committee at XI Dentistry Journey of the Undergraduate Class of 1999 of PUCRS/Brazil, by the Departmental Council of PUCRS Dental School.

Dr. Coelho earned a certificate of appreciation for her extraordinary dedication and outstanding work for being a mentor/teaching trainee by presenting lectures, followed by hands-on sessions at Eastman Institute for Oral Health, University of Rochester first (Jan/2021), second (Oct/2021) and third (2022) Dental Assistant Training Program/Course. In May of 2021, Dr. Coelho was awarded  with the Strong Star Certificate of Appreciation for excellence in patient attendance, by University of Rochester/NY. She earned another Certificate of Appreciation, in 2022 for extraordinary dedication mentoring fellows and co-residents in Advanced Education in General Dentistry program (AEGD) at Eastman Institute of Oral Health Division of General Dentistry at University of Rochester.

Spoken Languages

English, Spanish, Portuguese

Memberships

•  American Dental Association (ADA)
• Florida Dental Association (FDA)
• Central Florida District Dental Association
• Academy of General Dentistry (AGD)

Interests

Biking, movies, healthy life and spending time with my family and friends.