staff

Louise Vallejos, Concierge

Louise was born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico where she graduated from Valley High School. She started her dental career in the summer of 1985. Louise became a registered Dental Assistant while working in Los Angeles, California from 1991-1997. She is licensed in California and New Mexico. Since 2003, she has worked as a front office administrator where she has developed her strong customer service skills.

Louise is also the proud mother of a daughter and son, and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Meri Starkovich, RDH

Meri’s dental career started in 1988, when she graduated from the University of New Mexico Dental Assisting Program as a National Board Certified Dental Assistant. Meri’s other certifications, include CPR and radiology. She worked for many years, mainly as a surgical assistant, in periodontics and oral surgery. In the mid 90’s, she decided to further her dental education at UNM and obtained her liscense as a Registered Dental Hygienist in 1997 and is credentialed to administer local anesthesia. Meri received the “Golden Scaler” award, an award chosen by UNM’s dental faculty and staff for clinical excellence. Thus, her passion and love for dentistry reflects in her clinical skills. Meri is a member of the NM Dental Hygienist’s Association and has been involved in the local dental hygiene/dentist’s study club since the early 2000’s. Her professional goal is to provide thorough oral healthcare and educate her patients about the importance of a healthy smile. Oral healthcare has provided an avenue of opportunity for Meri to meet and treat all types of smiles.

Cindy Vigil, RDH

Cindy received her Associate Degree in Dental Hygiene from UNM in 1977. Returning to UNM in 1990, she earned both her Bachelor’s Degree in Dental Hygiene and her local anesthesia liscense. During this time, Cindy was nominated for Who’s Who Among Students in America’s Universities and Colleges. Cindy was part-time faculty at UNM from 2000-2005, teaching the hands-on portion of dental hygiene, but private practice is where she likes to call home. As an active member of her professional association, Cindy has held several positions and received multiple awards. Moreover, Cindy has served on both UNM’s and PMI’s Advisory Boards. In 2016, Cindy was nominated to serve as the president of the New Mexico Dental Hygienists’ Association, a position she is very proud to hold.

Tacey Leckwold, RDH

Tacey G. Leckwold was born and raised in El Paso, TX. She graduated from the University of Utah with her Bachelor of Science Degree and received her Dental Hygiene Associate of Applied Science degree from PIMA Medical Institute. She is a licensed Registered Dental Hygienist and is local anesthesia certified.

Tacey feels strongly that going to the dentist office should not be a source of anxiety and fear, and therefore strives to make her patients feel comfortable, cared for, and at ease. She enjoys volunteering as a hygienist in and around the New Mexico area and spends her free time with her two boys, Elija and Alexander.

Maria Chavez, Dental Assistant

Maria is a native of New Mexico and graduated from Santa Rosa high school. Following high school, she earned her dental assisting certification from the Luna Vocational Technical Institute. Maria is radiology certified with the State of New Mexico. With over 20 years of dental assisting experience, she is dedicated to the care and comfort of her patients.

Maria’s family consists of her husband, who is also a New Mexico native, and her two children. She enjoys going home to Santa Rosa and spending time with her family.

Brittany McDonald, Insurance

Brittany was born in California, but was raised most of her life here in Albuquerque. She is a 2005 graduate of Sandia High School. She continued on to the University of New Mexico and earned her Bachelor’s degree, cum laude, in elementary education. She has worked in customer service since 2003 and is the former office manager of an optometry practice. Brittany is also a certified dental assistant and loves to get to know our patients.

Brittany is happily married to her husband, Jeff, and enjoys caring for her three sons. She loves to spend time camping and creating new memories with her boys.

Yolanda Saiz, Billing

Yolanda received her certificate in 2006 from PIMA Medical Institute for dental assisting. With her time as a dental assistant she has had the ability to treat a number of smiles, while her true calling for the dental field stands out with her warm smile and ability to connect with each patient. She has now taken her strong dental skills to our front office checkout and billing area. She loves that she gets to connect with each patient as they leave our office with a smile.

Yolanda grew up in Albuquerque and enjoys spending time outdoors and with friends and family.

Michelle Tong, Dental Assistant

Michelle is a high school graduate from Eldorado High School. She continued on to Central New Mexico Community College. Michelle was a long time patient of Dr. Allen Dean and went on to become a patient of Dr. Chris and Stephanie Padilla, when Dr. Dean retired. She has now joined the Padilla Family Dentistry and Orthodontic team.

Michelle has an infectious smile and loves to get to know our patients. She also enjoys traveling, exploring new places and learning new things.

Crystal Garcia, Dental Assistant

Crystal was born and raised in Tijeras, New Mexico. Her dental career began in the summer of 2010 when she graduated from Carrington College with her certificate in dental assisting. She enjoys helping people improve their smiles while getting to know the patients.

Crystal is the proud mother of a daughter, and enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Cristela Jaramillo, Dental Assistant

Cristela was born & raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is a 2017 graduate from Cibola High School. She joined our office in December of 2017 after graduating from Matrix School of Dental Assisting with her certificate in dental assisting. She plans on continuing her dental career by attending Hygiene school in the near future. She enjoys interacting with patients and getting to know them.

Cristela enjoys spending time with her family and loves the outdoors.