Meet Our Doctors

DR. CAREY BONHAM

Dr. Carey BonhamDr. Carey Bonham grew up in Largo, Florida and attended Indian Rocks Christian School. He is the son of Dr. Chris Bonham and Leola Bonham and is Dr. Amy Bonham’s husband. He has been active in sports from an early age and enjoys a myriad of outdoor pursuits, adventure travel and endurance sports. He is thrilled to be able to treat patients in his hometown. With the experience and knowledge from his father’s dental career, dentistry is a perfect fit for Carey. He respects his father, Dr. Chris Bonham and his wife, Dr. Amy Bonham, and is excited and honored to work with them in the profession. Dr. Carey Bonham is a member of the Academy of General Dentistry, American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, the Pinellas County Dental Association, and West Coast District Dental Association.

EDUCATION
Dr. Carey continued his studies at the University of South Florida where he actively participated in the Honors Society, Pre-Dental Society and the Baptist Collegiate Ministry. During college he trained and worked as an EMT. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biology, he moved on to the University of Florida to pursue his dental degree. At University of Florida, he was a member of the American Student Dental Association and President of the Christian Dental Society. He actively pursues continuing education on the latest techniques through multiple local and national CE courses, including implant dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, Invisalign, and denture courses, and others. He also completed a mini-residency in IV sedation at University of Alabama Birmingham in 2007, and is certified to administer conscious IV sedation.

FAMILY
Dr. Carey Bonham married his wife Amy the summer before starting dental school. Amy was also accepted to dental school, and the two shared the joys and trials of the dental school experience together. They now have two daughters, Sage and Selah, and a son Caden. They really enjoy spending time and traveling together as a family. It truly is a family affair here at Bonham Dental Arts as they are both a part of the Bonham Dental Arts team.

PROFESSIONAL FOCUS
Dr. Carey Bonham's main focus is on the restoration of patients’ smiles using the latest innovative dental techniques and on his own continuous improvement through continuing education. He strongly feels that every patient should have the healthiest mouth possible.

He strives to build long-lasting relationships with his patients and enjoys doing comprehensive care tailored to each patient’s specific needs and situation. He specifically enjoys using implants, laser, adhesive dentistry, and sedation to do dentistry that would not have been possible years ago without these techniques.

THE BONHAM DIFFERENCE
“I love the close relationships we build at Bonham Dental Arts and the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life.”

DR. CHRIS BONHAM

DR. Chris BonhamDr. Chris has lived all over the world due to his father’s occupation with Mobil Oil Corporation. He went to High School in Leysin, Switzerland and spent his senior year in Melbourne, FL, where he learned to fly. While he was still in high school his family moved to Indonesia. His parents retired to Dallas.

EDUCATION
Dr. Chris received his undergraduate education at Southern Illinois University, where he obtained a B.A. in Physiology in 1975, a B.S. in Dental Prosthetics in 1976, and an A.A. in Dental Laboratory Technology in 1976. Before pursuing his graduate degree, Dr.Chris Bonham opened and operated a full service dental laboratory for a few years. He received his Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) from the Washington University School of Dental Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri in 1984. His dedication to providing the finest dental care possible then led him to start his own private practice. Dr. Bonham obtained a fellowship with the Academy of General Dentistry. He is a member of numerous prestigious dental organizations, including the American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, West Coast Dental Association, Pinellas County Dental Association and the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS). Member of Dental Sleep Solution, American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM)

FAMILY
Dr. Chris met his wife at Southern Illinois University. They call Florida home and look forward to sharing their love of dentistry with their son and daughter-in-law.

HOBBIES & INTERESTS
Dr. Bonham has traveled extensively which fueled his passion for hiking, sailing, skiing and photography. His love of the Arts and Sciences has provided the perfect foundation for his career in dentistry.

PROFESSIONAL FOCUS
Dr. Bonham’s professional focus is on treating families with children and building lasting relationships with patients. He also dedicates much of his time to practicing cosmetic dentistry. Dr. Bonham is committed to providing the finest quality of dentistry. His extensive training in the latest dental techniques and excellent educational background enable him to successfully treat even the most complex patient situations and meet your highest aesthetic expectations. Dr. Bonham has expanded the practice to help patients with sleep apnea.

BONHAM DIFFERENCE
Being in practice for over 30 years, the difference in our practice is that we put patients first and build lasting relationships. When you visit Bonham Dental Arts, you feel cared for and respected by people who really enjoy their work. We believe that our best results are attained when our patients are engaged in the process of determining best treatment for their own dental health. We encourage questions and love to see friends and family interested in our patients’ treatment. Our patients greatly appreciate this approach. We pay attention to details and convey a genuine love for the people we serve.

DR. JACOB LABAUVE

DR. Jacob LabauveDr. Jake was born in Baton Rouge, LA and grew in Jupiter FL. He is an avid outdoorsman with hobbies including hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and climbing. He is a member of the American Dental Association, Florida Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry.

EDUCATION
Dr. Jake attended the University of Florida where he received his B.S. in Microbiology, then attended Tulane where he received his M.S. in Cell and Molecular Biology and finally attended dental school at the University of Maryland in Baltimore. After dental school, Dr. Jake spent two years working with the Oral Surgery Department at the University of Maryland Medical Center.

FAMILY
While studying in Baltimore, Dr. Jake met his wife Cassie, a Lakeland FL native, and they were married in 2017. Between them and their careers, their training has taken them from Baltimore to the Pacific Northwest and finally back home to Florida. They have an adorable daughter Rosalie. They enjoy spending time with family, family trips, and the outdoors.

PROFESSIONAL FOCUS
Dr. Jake has a passion for implants, cosmetics, and whole mouth health and wellness. By utilizing modern technology we can make people look and feel their greatest.

DR. VILSON MERKAJ

Dr. Vilson MerkajVilson Merkaj, DDS is dedicated to providing optimized, individualized, and up-to-date care to his patients. His goal is to exceed his patients expectations and help them achieve dental wellness.Dr. Merkaj is an active member of the American Dental Association and the Florida Dental Association.

EDUCATION
Dr. Vilson completed his Master’s Degree at Wayne State University School of Medicine, and earned his D.D.S. degree at Detroit Mercy Dental.

FAMILY
He grew up in Michigan and is now enjoying the Sunshine State. After work, you may catch him biking, kayaking, playing basketball, or catching the beautiful Florida sunsets.

PROFESSIONAL FOCUS
Dr. Merkaj’s patient-focused approach aims to alleviate dental anxiety, remove pain and infection, and restore his patients' beautiful smiles. One of his favorite aspects of dentistry is forming personal connections with a variety of interesting patients on a day-to-day basis.

DR. AMY BONHAM

DR. Amy BonhamDr. Amy Bonham was born and raised in Clearwater, Florida and attended Keswick Christian School. She brings a fresh aspect to the office with a special interest in treating children. She loves children and helping others, as shown through her volunteer work with organizations such as Gulf Coast Dental Outreach, Give Kids a Smile (GKAS), Bay Area Pregnancy Center, Spina Bifida Association of Central Florida and her church, First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks. She has been on dental mission trips to Ecuador and Honduras and is eager to pursue future short-term dental mission trips.

EDUCATION
Dr. Amy Bonham earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of South Florida. While there, she worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Shriner’s Hospital for Children and participated in the Honor’s program and Baptist Collegiate Ministry. She then joined her husband, Dr. Carey Bonham, at the University of Florida, College of Dentistry in 2003, where she was a member of the American Student Dental Association and Christian Dental Society (CDS). While in school, Dr. Amy traveled to Honduras on a dental mission trip with CDS. She is currently a member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, Florida Dental Association, Pinellas County Dental Association, and West Coast District Dental Association.

FAMILY
Dr. Amy Bonham married her husband Carey the summer before both of them started dental school, and the two shared the joys and trials of the dental school experience together. They now have two daughters, Sage and Selah, and a son Caden. When not practicing dentistry, Dr. Amy Bonham enjoys being a mom to their three children. She especially loves spending time with her family, enjoying outdoor activities, such as boating, camping, bike riding, and hiking. She also enjoys competing in adventure and endurance sports.

PROFESSIONAL FOCUS
Dr. Amy strongly believes that a child’s first visit should be a fun and pleasant cornerstone to lifelong oral health. Dr. Amy is committed to treating all patients with excellence and to lifelong learning through continuing education.

THE BONHAM DIFFERENCE
“I believe the Bonham difference is family. We are a family of dentists that strive to provide our patients with the highest quality of dental work in a compassionate atmosphere.”

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    Office Hours

    Monday:
    8:00AM - 5:00PM
    Tuesday:
    8:00AM - 5:00PM
    Wednesday:
    8:00AM - 5:00PM
    Thursday:
    8:00AM - 5:00PM
    Friday:
    8:00AM - 5:00PM
    Seminole location is closed on Fridays.

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