Our Team | Dental Health Arlington

MEET OUR DEDICATED
TEAM MEMBERS!

“SUPER HERO” CLINIC STAFF

Nancy Manion Blinn, RDH

Executive Director

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Nancy has been a hygienist for over 30 years, and she has been our Executive Director since April 2014. She loves working at DHA because she gets to help people in need. She hopes that in the future DHA is able to expand its services to include pediatrics, special needs, and elderly patients.

Lilly Ortiz-Grelard, RDH

Clinical Director

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Lilly joined the DHA team in December 2015, bringing 20 years of experience as a Registered Dental Hygienist. She has also served our community as a clinician and educator. She says DHA has been her most challenging and rewarding role by far. Her staff agrees that if Lilly were a super hero, she would be “Wonder Woman!”

Dr. Christa Walker, DDS

Clinical Dentist

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Dr. Walker has been a dentist for 12 years and has been a part of the DHA team since January 2011. She loves her job because it enables her to help others who might otherwise go without the care they need. If she were a superhero she would be “Captain America” because, “he is always looking after the little guy.”

Dr. Ashish Bhakta, DMD

Clinical Dentist

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Dr. Ash joined the DHA team in September 2015. He has his own practice in Mansfield, Texas called Willow Tree Dental, PLLC where he practices with his wife. Outside of the office, Dr. Ash enjoys spending time with his family. Though he was born and raised in Zimbabwe, Africa, he is an avid football fan and always roots for his favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys!

S. Johnson

Financial Coordinator / Ms.Fix-It

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Sarah joined our team in August 2016. In just a short time, she proved herself to be the embodiment of the expression, “Where there’s a will there’s a way!” We all agree if she were a super hero, she would be “Storm,” gifted with the power to control seemingly uncontrollable forces.

Delia Benage, RDA

Lead Dental Assistant

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Delia received her Dental Assistant’s License from Baylor College of Dentistry and has been a dental assistant for 15 years! Delia is focused on providing quality patient care for all. She is a proud mother to two lovely children. They all enjoy long bike rides and trips to the library together.”

Yohana Zamora

Dental Assistant

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Yohana received her RDA license in 2018 and joined the DHA team in January 2020. She loves working for DHA because it is a non profit and we put our patients health first and everyone feels welcomed and is like family. She likes to think of herself as cat woman as she slinks around the clinic quietly to ask questions, but is very alert. She is also a big fan of Miami Heat basketball. Whoop! Whoop!

Meredith Kline

Hygienist

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Meredith started her career in 1992, in Minnesota. She pursued a Master’s degree in Clinical Microbiology. This led to eleven years as a laboratory technologist at the Mayo Clinic. After moving to Texas she began volunteering with DHA and officially joined our team in 2017. What she loves about DHA is seeing patients who may have fallen behind in their dental needs, and helping them back to health. When not working, she can be found with her Afghan Hounds competing in dog shows or relaxing by a pool.

Ashlee Ibarra

Receptionist

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Ashlee joined the DHA team in January 2020. She has six years customer service experience and three years of retail management and hiring. She likes to think of herself as the Tinkerbell of the office because of her cute, fun fairy characteristics, but deep down she’s fiery, sassy and hardworking.

Kassandra Dobbs

Receptionist

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Kassandra is our newest member to the DHA family. She is a UTA almumni with a passion for learning and when not in the office, she is probably either running or reading. As the world’s biggest marvel fan, you will be sure to find a picture of Captain America on her desk. .

Meet Our
SMILES TEAM

Glenda Bell

SMILES Program Director

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Glenda has worked at DHA since 2004 and has lead the SMILES team as their program director since 2006. She loves her job because of the great work her team gets to do for children in Arlington, who may not otherwise have access to the quality dental care and education they need to have healthy lives. She also loves the smiles she gets from all the kids. She says that something many people don’t know about her is that she is actually very shy.

Dr. Tamyra Maxey

DDS

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Dr. Maxey joined the DHA team 6 years ago, bringing with her over 20 years of experience! Dr. Maxey loves working at DHA because she gets to work with people she thinks of as good friends and, of course, getting to see the smiles on children’s faces.

Stacy Gorrell

SMILES Assistant

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Stacy joined the SMILES team in 2019 and has been a great addition. She has been in dentistry for over 20 years; she has worked in all aspects including assisting, front office, and insurance/treatment planning. She loves reading and spending time with her two sons and husband.

Melony Harmon

RDH

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Melony has 27 years of experience as a registered dental hygienist and feels blessed to be part of the SMILES team….again! She has been married to the man of her dreams for the past 32 years. Her and Kevin are the parents of two adult children. They have lived in Mansfield for the last 15 years. She looks forward to talking with the kids about the importance of brushing and flossing and about using their God-given gifts and talents for their good and His glory…always having some fun while doing it. She loves to cook and read….not necessarily reading about cooking, though. “Everyday I try my very best to work hard, be kind and tell at least one joke!!”

Jackie Perez

Smiles Assistant

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“My name is Jackeline Perez and I am currently a senior majoring in Biology at the University of Texas at Arlington. I like to play the ukulele, hangout with family, play ping pong, and listen to Beyonce. My ultimate goal is to become a dentist and the experience I’m currently getting with Dental Health Arlington further solidifies my career choice. I love to engage with patients and teach dental hygiene all while contributing to healthy smiles. “

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Shad Hattaway, DDS

President

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Dr. Shad Hattaway is experienced with all aspects of dental health and has advanced training in dental case management – treatment phasing and full mouth rehabilitation which examines the functional and aesthetic aspects of the entire mouth, not just one tooth. His community background started in 2007 when he became the dental clinic coordinator for a grassroots community-supported free health clinic in Idaho. Since then, he has had a strong commitment to giving back to the community in which he resides. He treats both adults and children and especially enjoys building lifelong relationships with his patients. His commitment to his craft comes from a strong motivation to provide the highest quality dental care. Dr. Hattaway believes that patient education is one of the strongest forms of prevention. His goal is to help all patients understand how they can maintain their dental health. He has been involved with Dental Health for Arlington since 2015. He was introduced to their organization through his wife, Laureli, who was volunteering with her band for a small fundraiser. Since then he has volunteered countless hours to their cause and has been very passionate about promoting their mission. In 2017 Dental Health for Arlington presented him with the Sally Hooper Gold Crown Award for his dedication and service to DHA. That same year, he received the award for the New Dentist of the Year by the Dallas County Dental Society. “The thing that makes Dental Health for Arlington so special is their school-based educational SMILES program. In addition to creating a low-cost option for dental care in the community with their dental clinic, they have this educational program that helps to prevent dental disease through the education of children. The combination of their programs really helps to maximize their impact in the community. Dental Health for Arlington is such a wonderful organization and they continue to grow their impact every year. Thank you Dental Health for Arlington!”

Laura Lopez Stinson, RDH, BS

President Elect

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Laura Lopez Stinson has been in dentistry since one week after graduating high school. She trained as a dental assistant at Kelly Air Force Base in San Antonio and worked for the Texas State Health Department on a mobile dental unit that treated underserved communities all over south Texas. She received her Dental Hygiene degree from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio and her bachelor’s degree in Allied Health Education form The University of Texas Health Science Center at Dallas (now UT Southwestern). She has worked in private practice, taught Dental Hygiene at Tarrant County College, and worked in Dental Sales. She was on the feasibility committee that began the process of establishing Dental Health Arlington, worked for the SMILES program, presented Continuing Education Programs for DHA, volunteers every year, and now serves as interim President Elect of DHA’s Board of Directors. Laura has been married to her husband, Norm, for 40 years and has three daughters and seven grandchildren.

Chris Wade

Treasurer

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Chris Wade is CPA and currently with the firm of Catlin, Lillard & Co. PC. Chris’s early years were growing up in Michigan and Connecticut but moved to Texas in 1973. After graduating from Arlington High School in 1979, Chris attended Texas Tech University and received his BBA in Accounting in 1983. From there Chris went into public accounting and worked for Coopers & Lybrand for four years. Since then Chris has worked for several companies, mainly in the computer software business where his duties ranged from being a company Controller, to Treasurer, to CFO. Then in 2008, Chris decided it was time to venture out on his own and start his own business which he did until he joined Catlin, Lillard & Co. PC in the fall of 2019.

Chris has been a member of the Arlington Sunrise Rotary Club since 1991 and served as President in 2000-2001. Chris has served at Rotary District 5790 Treasurer on two different occasions as well as the Treasurer for Rotary Lone Star PETS (Presidential Elect Training Seminar) for 6 years.

Chris has also served on the Arlington Parks and Recreation Board, Paraguay Baptist Ministries Foundation Board, and currently on the Dispute Resolutions of North Texas Board.

Chris is married to his wife Sherri for almost 38 years. They have two sons and two granddaughters.

Kecia Mays

Secretary

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Kecia Mays is a mother of three young men and has been married for 23 years. She was inspired to volunteer from a young age where she was a big sister in the Dallas Big Brother and Sister Program. She remained close friends with her little sister until she passed a few years ago from Lupus. She then became Vice President of the Dallas Urban League Guild which was a non-profit that assists with job applications and she spearheaded a youth program that targeted teenage females to have self confidence, hygiene and public speaking, Once she began having her own children, she served on their schools PTA from elementary through high school as Treasurer, Budget & Finance, Secretary, Vice President and President. She eventually became a board member of the Arlington Council of PTA’s where training and support is provided to all PTA’s in the Arlington district. Her love for PTA went so deep, she was selected to serve as a Texas PTA Field Service Representative where she had the opportunity to train and set up new PTAs in her respective area in Texas. She is a recipient of the Honorary Life Membership Award and Extended Service Award. As her sons continued through Arlington ISD, she served on the basketball and football booster clubs, as well as community ISD committees. She served on Future Financial Committee, Capital Needs Steering Committee and the first ever Citizens Bond Oversite Committee where she served as Chairman. Her love and newly found knowledge for the Arlington School District led to her, with her families support to run for the Arlington ISD School Board where she is going into her 3rd term and is currently the presiding President. Her love for students goes beyond the district and reaches to non-profit groups that have a direct impact on students. She currently sits on the board for Dental Health Arlington, Salvation Army Advisory Board, The Legacy Foundation and the Arlington Life Shelter. All three of her young men are attending separate colleges but her love for the Arlington ISD and students throughout the community is still strong.

Amanda Swanson, DDS MAGD FICOI

Board Member

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Dr. Swanson received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. After undergrad, she immediately started dental school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry. She moved down to Dallas to start her dental career and loves the warmer weather. Her passion has always been learning and it didn’t end when she graduated from dental school. She earned her Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD), Fellowship in the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (FICOI), and associate Fellowship in the World Clinical Laser Institute. Just 6 years after graduation from dental school, she earned her Masters in the Academy of General Dentistry (MAGD), a distinction that only 1% of dentists achieve. Her dental education stays current with memberships in the Academy of General Dentistry and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.

Providing high quality dentistry is Dr. Swanson’s standard of care. Dr. Swanson believes that patient education is the start of a healthy mouth and can affect a patient’s life more than most people expect. She provides almost all dental services but enjoys cosmetic dentistry, Invisalign, and root canal treatments the most.

Dr. Swanson has a daughter named Charlie and a Shibu Inu dog named Kobe. In her free time, she loves to travel and explore new places. She was born and raised around Kansas City, Missouri and travels back there frequently.

Kerin Burdette, DDS, MPH

Board Member

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Dr. Kerin L. Burdette is a native of St. Louis, Missouri. She has practiced dentistry since 1995 and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Burdette also has a passion for Public Health Dentistry. Currently, she is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Public Health Sciences Department at Texas A & M University College of Dentistry where she instructs 3^rd/4^th year dental student and 2^nd year dental hygiene students. Dr. Burdette became affiliated and fell in love with Dental Health Arlington when completing her Master in Public Health with Dental Emphasis in 2017. Dr. Burdette loves to read, travel when time permits and fellowship with family and friends. Her motto: “To foster growth and confidence in my dental patients and in future dental professionals, serve my community through volunteerism, and live a life of integrity to make a significant impact on individuals around me”.

Karlyn Dodd, RDH

Board Member

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I am a Registered Dental Hygienist and hold a BS from The University of Utah in Behavioral Science and Health. I have been in the dental industry for over 24 years. While in college I worked as a Dental Assistant in my father’s dental office in Utah and then after my graduation as a Hygienist. I moved to Texas in 1999 and started working in dental sales shortly after. I love the dental Industry, listening to needs and finding solutions to those needs. Currently I am serving as a board member of Arlington Dental Health which is a non profit organization that provides dental services to low income residences of Tarrant County and educates children about good oral hygiene habits through the SMILES program. I live in Grapevine, Texas with my husband, 2 children and 2 dogs.

Dan Blumberg - Attorney

Board Member

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Daniel E. Blumberg is the founder of Blumberg Bagley PLLC, an Arlington, Texas law firm. An Arlington native, Dan has practiced law in the city for 35 years. Dan is board certified in Civil Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is a Fellow of the College of the State Bar of Texas. He is also a member of the Texas Bar Foundation. Dan is admitted to practice law before the Supreme Court of the United States, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, all of the federal district courts in Texas and all Texas state courts.

Dan is also the author of a number of articles on law, politics and related matters as well as various works of fiction. Politically active, Dan has made presentations before various committees of the Texas legislature, has persuaded the legislators to pass and amend various statutes and has prompted Texas and federal courts to create or change various legal doctrines. Dan has served on the Board of Directors of Dental Health for Arlington for three years and has unexpectedly become its lawyer. In 2020 DHA bestowed on Dan its highest honor, the Sally Hopper Award.

Dan is a graduate of The University of Texas School of Law where he was a staff writer for The Review of Litigation, a publication that concentrates on litigation and related matters. Active in the community, Dan has been a member of the Rotary Club of Arlington, Texas since 1986, serves as its weekly publication’s managing editor, has served on its board and has chaired a number of its committees. He is also Secretary and a member of the Board of Directors of the Arlington Rotary Foundation, which provides college scholarships to about a hundred graduates of an Arlington Title I school each year. Dan and his wife, Charna, have been married for 36 years and are the parents of adult children. They belong to Beth-El Congregation, an area synagogue.

Dan points out that all of these achievements and $4.75 will get you a cup of coffee.

Scott Parsinen

Board Member

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Scott Parsinen is a proud husband, Dad and die-hard UT Arlington Alumnus.

He is a lifelong entrepreneur having started or helped expand more than 10 startups including dental biotech companies etkonUSA, 2C Dental and Cadmus Dental and has always chosen to be based in Arlington, Texas.

Scott is a technology innovator with over 30 years of business experience and 15 years in digital dentistry which led to the acquisition of etkonUSA by dental implant giant Straumann where he stayed on and continued to help educate others and further implement digital dentistry into the industry.

He then continued his dental career path helping Whip Mix and Biomet 3i launch their digital dental divisions until launching his own company from within the walls of UTA’s Startup Lounge in 2016.

Scott enjoys traveling with his lovely wife Melissa and visiting with their grown children and grandson.

He is a Board Member of the Downtown Arlington Management Corporation, a champion of the Startup community working closely with the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce and Arlington ISD, a 1Million Cups organizer, Co-founder of House of Genius Arlington and mentors several entrepreneurs of all ages.

Scott truly has a passion for caring for others and using his skills and experience to help others overcome adversity and build their dreams.