Meet Our Dental Team - Fort Smith, AR
Dr. Gilberto López and his team of experienced dental professionals here in Fort Smith believe your smile is their top priority. Your care starts from the initial phone call, where making your appointment is a quick and easy process. Customer service is paramount at New Smile Dental: Gilberto Lopez, DDS, and it is our desire to make your visit as stress-free as possible!
Patricia, Chief Financial Officer
We’re a dental office with top-notch employees who are willing and able to wear a number of hats, and Patricia is no different. She is an outstanding member of our team, serving as our Chief Financial Officer and financial coordinator! She has been married for over 30 years and has been working in the dental field for nearly as long. Originally from Guadalajara, Mexico, she completed dental school in Mexico. She also holds an RDH from the state of Florida and is a registered dental assistant in Arkansas. Her favorite part of her position at New Smile Dental: Gilberto Lopez, DDS is working in a place that is so much more than a dental office. She sees the work of New Smile Dental: Gilberto Lopez, DDS as an opportunity to change people’s lives, starting with their smiles!
Outside of work, Patricia enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering at church, traveling, and camping.
Tanya, Office Manager
Tanya has been a member of our team since we first opened in January 2008! Her career in the dental field spans over 25 years, and she handles many vital tasks like verifying and filing insurance claims, maintaining OSHA/HIPAA records, facilitating meetings, and assisting other team members as needed. She enjoys being able to cross language barriers with her bilingual talents to help each patient understand their dental care as well as clearly communicate their needs. Tanya became a dental assistant in 1998, and today, she has a bachelor’s degree in business management from WGU and is a Certified Scrum Master.
Outside of work, Tanya likes to spend time with her spouse and six children, be outdoors, listen to good music, and volunteer with her church. She previously went on a dental mission trip to Ethiopia, which she said was a humbling and amazing experience that changed her life.
Leslie, Registered Dental Hygienist
Originally from Huntington Park, CA, Leslie attended the University of Arkansas Fort Smith before entering the field of dentistry about a decade ago, earning her Bachelor of Science in Biology. She later attended dental hygiene school to obtain her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. Over the years, she has earned certifications in coronal polishing, nitrous oxide, and radiography. For her, the best thing about her job is interacting with our patients, educating them on the importance of good oral health, and providing them with a smile they are proud of. She also enjoys translating for Spanish-speaking patients so that they can have a positive experience during their visits.
Away from the office, Leslie and her husband have three children and a Yorkie named Atom. They enjoy attending soccer events and other extracurricular activities for their sons, and they always make time to hang out and bond with each other. Other than being a soccer mom and obsessed with everything teeth, her favorite color is pink!
Guadalupe, Registered Dental Hygienist
Guadalupe joined our team in November of 2018, soon after graduating from UAFS with her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. She educates her patients about the importance of oral healthcare and motivates them to practice good habits while also providing revitalizing cleanings. She loves the teamwork at New Smile Dental: Gilberto Lopez, DDS – everyone is always willing to help out and genuinely cares about the patients! Plus, her bilingual talents make her a great fit for the position.
Originally from Fort Smith, her personal hobbies outside of work including spending quality time with family and friends and completing continuing education courses in order to further educate herself about dentistry.
Crisely H., Registered Dental Assistant
Crisely says that getting to meet new people and helping them feel better about their smiles while educating everyone about oral health is extremely fulfilling. She is very passionate about her work because the teeth are one of the first things she notices whenever she talks to someone face-to-face. She attended the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith and is currently working toward becoming a hygienist.
Crisely comes from two hard-working parents who migrated here from Mexico, and she is the only girl with four brothers plus two dogs! If she isn’t at the office, she is usually at school, and she also likes to run, play soccer, and listen to music.
Genesis, Registered Dental Assistant
Genesis was born and raised in Miami, FL before moving to our community in 2018. As one of our newest members, she was able to earn her dental assisting certification by working at our office and is currently studying at the University of Arkansas at Fort Smith to further her education. One of the things she loves most about her work is being able to learn something new every day while working alongside an incredible dental team. Getting the chance to meet new patients and helping them improve their smiles is also very fulfilling.
Away from the office, Genesis enjoys spending time with her parents, her three brothers, and her wonderful pet dog, especially on the weekends. One fun fact about her: she absolutely loves people, dogs, and munching on seafood!
Kangatooth, the Kangaroo
Kangatooth, our beloved mascot, comes to us from Katoomba, Australia, where he was orphaned as a small roo and raised by a missionary dentist. He traveled to Texas as a grown kangaroo and studied dentistry in San Antonio. In 2008, Kangatooth met Dr. López at a dental conference and they connected immediately.
As a born leader, he has helped us create a team-minded atmosphere that benefits patients. He also helps us promote dental health awareness!