Meet our Specialists

Dr. Michaela Mathews, DDS, PC

A familiar face to many, Dr. Michaela Mathews spent her summer breaks here at the Children’s Dental Center as a dental assistant while she pursued her education in dental school. Now, she’s excited to join her father, Dr. Mike, in providing top-notch pediatric dental care.

Education & Experience

 -Studied biology at Central College

 -Received her DDS from the University of Iowa where she also completed her pediatric dental residency

 -Member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD)

“I’m dedicated to helping kids form healthy habits that will last a lifetime and look forward to working with your family to ensure your child’s dental visits are positive, comfortable, and informative.”

   – Dr. Michaela Mathews, DDS, PC

Dr. Joe Vela, DDS, PhD

Dr. Vela was born and raised in Corpus Christi, Texas. Following high school, he attended Baylor University where he received his BS degree in Neuroscience. His undergraduate experience motivated him to seek additional knowledge in the field of pain and pharmacology and he was accepted into the PhD program at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Dr. Vela studied peripheral pain mechanisms under the direction of the world-renowned clinician scientist, Dr. Kenneth Hargreaves, professor of Pharmacology and chair of Endodontics at UTHSCSA, who encouraged him to utilize his pain research for patient care in endodontics. Dr. Vela became only the second student to successfully complete the simultaneous DDS / PhD in Pharmacology program and was awarded a prestigious grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) and was an AADR & J.J Hatton Finalist for his research in the field of orofacial pain. He received numerous awards such the Oral Biology Award and the Maria Yeung Award, just to name a few. Dr. Vela then accepted an offer to enter into the Endodontic program at the University of Iowa, where he utilized his research to obtain NIH T32 and F32 research grants, AAE funding, and was also asked to serve on the Scientific Affairs Committee. During his Residency, Dr. Vela developed a sincere passion for endodontics and pain management and how it relates to patient care. Dr. Vela volunteers as an adjunct faculty member in the Endodontic Department providing clinical teaching to dental students and residents as well as lectures on pain mechanisms. He has presented numerous continuing education courses on endodontic treatment and pain management and care. Dr. Vela’s main focus is on providing pain-free, excellent endodontic treatment using the most modern techniques available. Using his unique background as a clinician-scientist, he strives to make each root canal an enjoyable experience for his patients by managing not only the technical component of root canal treatment but pain as well.

Joe is married to Dr. Kaci Vela, the owner and Orthodontist at Orthodontic Associates of Iowa (www.bracesiowa.com), which is located in their joint specialty office, Dental Specialists of Iowa (located in Mt, Pleasant, IA).  They love to spend time traveling and seeing the country as Joe is also a commercial single and multi engine instrument rated pilot. 

Kaci Cerka Vela, DDS, MS

Dr. Kaci C. Vela was raised in Amarillo, Texas where she earned her BS with a double major in Biology and Chemistry from West Texas A&M University magna cum laude. Following graduation, Dr. Kaci was awarded her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the University of Texas at San Antonio Dental School graduating summa cum laude as salutatorian of her class. During her training she received the Memorial Award of Excellence and the Service Achievement Award from the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society as well as the Vernetti Award for Excellence in Operative Dentistry, the Orofacial Pain Excellence Award, the Excellence in Prosthodontics Award, the Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Radiology Awards and numerous leadership awards from both the International and American College of Dentists and the Women’s Faculty Association. Dr. Kaci practiced general dentistry in Waterloo, taught at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and also received a T-32 research grant from the NIH prior to completing her Masters Degree (MS) and Certificate in Orthodontics from the University of Iowa.  Her extensive research has been published in 3 peer-reviewed scientific journals:  “Trigeminal Nociceptors Express Prostaglandin Receptors” in the Journal of Dental Research, “Patient Preferences Regarding 1-Visit versus 2-Visit Root Canal Therapy” in the Journal of Endodontics as well as “Phenotypic Characterization of Class III Malocclusion” in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.  Dr. Vela is board certified by the American Board of Orthodontics, a voluntary commitment to orthodontic excellence, achieved by only 1 in 3 orthodontists.  She currently practices orthodontics at Orthodontic Associates of Iowa located within Dental Specialists of Iowa in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa.

Dr. Kaci is married to Dr. Joe Vela, who is a root canal specialist at Endodontic Associates of Iowa. Together, Kaci and Joe had a vision of opening a multi-specialty dental practice that could serve all of southeastern Iowa.  In the fall of 2015, this dream became a reality as Orthodontic Associates of Iowa and Endodontic Associates of Iowa joined together to create DENTAL SPECIALISTS OF IOWA, located in Mt. Pleasant.  This state-of-the-art facility houses all of the dental specialists: Oral Surgery, Periodontics, Prosthodontics, Endodontics, Pediatrics and of course Orthodontics.  For the first time, southeastern Iowa will have access to the latest technological advances in modern dentistry under one roof including:  digital x-rays with low radiation exposure, three-dimensional 3-D CBCT imaging with a Kavo OP 3D for impacted teeth, orthognathic surgery and implant planning, microscopes for microsurgical root canals as well as two digital intra-oral 3-D scanners (iTero Lumina & iTero Element 2 Invisalign Scanner) to eliminate the need for gooey impressions for Invisalign records and retainers!   We are excited that we found the perfect location for our practice and are looking forward to taking great care of all of our patients locally and those who travel to receive the very best specialty dental care in the Midwest!