Bococa Dental Team

About our Practice

We provide dental care for adults and children of all ages and offer a full range of dental services, including preventive care, general teeth cleanings, cosmetic dentistry, Invisalign, and implants. Having specialists and all of the technology in-house, all of your treatment can be completed under one roof, with the highest level of quality possible.

We’re driven by the idea that each and every patient should be treated in a caring, friendly manner and walk out of our office feeling like they received unparalleled service and the highest level of care.

Meet the Doctors

Click on each team member to learn more about them...

Dr. Gregory Gangi

Dr. Gangi has been practicing dentistry for almost 20 years. Living in the neighborhood, he founded Bococa Dental to provide quality dental services for our Brooklyn community and families. He is a graduate of New York University where he received both his Bachelor’s degree (cum-laude) and his Doctorate of Dental Surgery. At the New York University College of Dentistry, he was inducted into the OKU National Dental Honor Society for graduating at the top of his class.

He completed a General Practice Residency at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia, has completed additional postgraduate education in Dental Implants, is an Invisalign expert, a HealthyStart provider, a Homeoblock and Preventive Oral Device (POD) provider, an active member of the American Academy of Clear Aligners and the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, a Diplomate of the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine, and a founding member of ASAP (the Airway Sleep and Pediatric Pathway).

Dentistry is an ever changing discipline and Dr. Gangi attends continuing education courses all throughout the year in order to provide you with the best and most highly advanced care.

Dr. Masih Shahlaie

Dr. Shahlaie is a board-certified Periodontist, Diplomate of the American Academy of Periodontology. He received his dental degree in 1996 from the Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, where he discovered his passion for Periodontics. Dr. Shahlaie subsequently completed his post graduate specialty program in Periodontics and obtained his Master of Science from Loma Linda University in 2001.

He has served as an assistant professor at Loma Linda University and has also served as an examiner for Arizona State Board for Oral Sedation Licensure. Dr. Shahlaie is an active member of the American Academy of Periodontology, Academy of Osseointegration and General Dental Council.

In his spare time, Dr Shahlaie enjoys soccer, tennis, electronic music, and cooking! He is a foodie and loves trying new restaurants.

Dr. Christine Choi

Dr. Choi is an endodontist who specializes in providing root canal treatments and other endodontic therapies to both adults and children. She received her Doctorate in Dental Surgery (DDS) from New York University. After completing a General Practice Residency at Mount Sinai Hospital, she returned to NYU Dentistry for training in advanced education in endodontics, where she graduated with honors in endodontic teaching.

Dr. Choi is a passionate participant in dental mission trips to provide care to underserved communities. She is an active member of the American Association of Endodontists and the American Dental Association. In addition to private practice, Dr. Choi is on staff as an Attending at Mount Sinai Hospital where she teaches General Practice Residents. Outside of dentistry, she enjoys traveling, cycling, hiking, and exploring the city. Having grown up in Sao Paulo, Brazil, she speaks fluent English, Korean, Portuguese, and Spanish.

Dr. Aisling O’Connor

Dr. Aisling O’Connor received her dental degree from Columbia University College of Dental Medicine in 2010. She subsequently completed the residency program at Montefiore Medical Center where she further developed her skills in performing complex restorative procedures as well as emergency care. Dr. O’Connor focuses on general and esthetic dentistry and has completed advanced training in implant placement and restoration.

She is an active member of the American Dental Association, the New York State Dental Association, the New York County Dental Society and the Academy of General Dentistry. A NYC resident of nearly 20 years, she has been happy to call Brooklyn home since 2016 and is dedicated to serving the community where she lives and works.

Meet the Hygienists

Julissa

Julissa fell in love with dentistry when she first entered the profession as a certified dental assistant. After two decades, she wanted a new challenge and felt that becoming a dental hygienist was the next natural step. She loves interacting with and educating patients. As a nurturer, her genuine care for everyone she treats shines through.

Shadiah

Shadiah has been a dental hygienist for almost a decade. She understands that visiting the dentist is not always an easy task, and welcomes each patient with genuine care and warmth. Her dental cleanings are tailored to be gentle and thorough. When she is not in the office, she spends some time teaching as an Adjunct Clinical Professor in City Tech/CUNY’s Dental Hygiene program.

Shadiah was born and raised in Brooklyn. She has three older brothers, and grew up fusing her New York identity with her Yemeni roots. At her leisure, she enjoys taking long walks, spending time with family, and binge-watching movies starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, and Robin Williams.

Catherine

Catherine has been in the dental field for over 30 years. Her outgoing personality brings warmth and kindness to all of her dental hygiene patients. She has one daughter and three adorable grandchildren. Catherine loves traveling, theater, restaurants, reading books and being with her family and friends.

MEET THE DENTAL ASSISTANTS

Hugo

Dental Assistant

Hugo was born in Ecuador, grew up in Queens, and then moved back to Ecuador at the age of 17. While abroad he studied dentistry and graduated as a general dentist from the University of Cuenca in Ecuador in 2020. Upon graduation he completed a community service internship working for the Ecuadorian Ministry of Health. His long term goal is to gain acceptance to an advanced standing program in order to obtain licensure as a dentist in the U.S. He considers dentistry both an art and a science and loves everything about the profession. His favorite procedures are operative dentistry and endodontics. He enjoys spending time with his family, getting to know the city, and watching soccer matches and movies.

Emily

Head Assistant

Emily is the Head Dental Assistant at Bococa Dental. She has been at the practice since the doors opened in 2011. Her goal is to help make you feel comfortable throughout your dental procedures. She is an expert at Invisalign protocols, 3-D impressions, 3-D and 2-D X-rays, CAD/CAM, and chairside assisting for all general dentistry procedures, periodontal and implant surgeries, and endodontic (root canal) procedures. Emily grew up in Brooklyn and outside of work she loves to spend time with her friends and family. If it's not just a day of relaxation at home watching a basketball game, she’s out shopping and finding out what's new in the fashion world, catching a movie, or enjoying a game of pool.

Katherine

Dental Assistant

Katherine was born in Brooklyn and raised in Mexico City. She went to school for dental assisting and dental prosthetics. She enjoys making the dental experience as comfortable as possible for our patients. In her free time, she likes to learn new things and explore new cultures.

Meet the Admin Team

Margaret

Financial Coordinator

Margaret has been working in dentistry for 10 years. She enjoys helping patients receive quality care from start to finish. Born and raised in the suburbs of Philly, she moved to NYC where she went on to receive her Bachelor’s degree in French and her Masters in Literary Translation from French to English at NYU. In her spare time she likes to watch movies, try out great restaurants, and spend time with her family and friends.

Iris

Practice Manager

Iris is a Native New Yorker and Brooklynite for life. She has been in the dental field since 1988 first as a Dental Laboratory technician, then as a Dental Assistant and has been a Practice Manager since 1994. Iris completed her Bachelor's degree in Business administration, Magna Cum Laude in 2005.  She loves dentistry, working with people and customer service.

Some Fun facts about Iris are that she received her Black Belt in Martial Arts at the Age of 40 and completed her first Obstacle Race at the age of 50. She loves working out, hiking, biking, camping, and traveling with her family.

Victoria

Treatment Coordinator

Victoria was born in the Bronx and raised in Brooklyn. She enjoys traveling, new adventures and visiting family in the tropical islands. Victoria has been in dentistry for over four years. Her main objective is to welcome patients with a friendly smiling face and to make each visit as comfortable as possible. Making patients laugh is always a plus too.