Dr. Byron Briggs, DDS: Owner
Dr. Briggs purchased Athens Smiles on October 1, 2011. He received his Bachelor degree in Chemistry and Biology from Lamar University in 2002: he then received his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at the University of Texas Health Science Center- Houston Dental Branch in 2007. Upon graduation he entered the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls where he completed his general practice residency. Dr. Briggs is diligent in his pursuit to stay current in providing the professions leading dental care procedures while utilizing state-of-the-art technology, supplies and equipment. Dr. Briggs and his wife Lyndi have 5 children, including a set of quadruplets. In his free time he enjoys making memories on the lake with his family.
Dr. Howell Florence, DDS: Associate
Dr. Florence joined Athens Smiles in November 2012. He has successfully practiced dentistry for 45 years in Athens. In 1970 he joined the Air Force and served 2 years. He received his Doctor of Dental Surgery in May 1973 at the University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston Dental Branch. His patients adore and trust his every word and Dr. Briggs often times requests a moment to be mentored by him. Dr. Florence and his wife, Carla have been married for many years and have 2 children together, Hollie and Bo. He enjoys spending time with his family and his 2 grandchildren along with piddling with his tractor and his guns.
Dr. Karina Rojas Gomez, DDS
Dr. Rojas joined Athens Smiles in July 2022. She received her Bachelor degree with a major in Biology and double minors in Chemistry and Biochemistry from The University of Texas at Tyler in 2017. She then went on to obtain her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Texas A&M College of Dentistry in 2022. Dr. Rojas is the daughter of Ricardo and Lilia Rojas and has 5 siblings. She grew up in Brownsboro, Texas. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her friends and her cat Ginger.
Lyndi Briggs: Co-Owner & CFO
Byron and Lyndi were married May 2001 in Houston. She completed nursing school at Lamar University in 2002. In July 2002 their first daughter was born, followed by Quadruplets in April 2004. When Lyndi is not working with the rest of the team she stays super busy with their children. She brings a beautiful vision for the future of Athens Smiles and enjoys being active in the community and local school. She is an advocate for those without a voice and an inspirational individual to many. She keeps us motivated to learn and grow! We are lucky to have her at the helm of our ship!!
Zina Sorrells: Dental Assistant & Implant Specialist
Zina joined Athens Smiles in July 2011. Zina has been assisting for over 30 years. What Zina enjoys most about being a dental assistant is the warm interaction she shares with our patients to ease their anxiety during treatment. She has a particular love for sedation dentistry and loves being a part of major smile restorations. She has 2 children April and Tony and 6 grandchildren: Sydney, Jacob, Bryce, Alyssa, Erin and Callie. Outside of work, Zina enjoys spending time with family and working with her animals. She also enjoys being outdoors at the lake or at the drag races.
Casey Pinedo: Bilingual Dental Assistant & Hygiene Coordinator
Casey joined Athens Smiles in December 2018. She is an RDA but, as our dedicated receptionist and hygiene coordinator, she prefers to assist our valued patients in both English and Spanish languages. She loves to help all patients feel right at home within the dental office. She goes above and beyond to build warm relationships that last over countless appointments! Casey and her husband have one daughter and enjoy watching her play soccer in their free time. She is an avid runner, loves the outdoors and she stays active in her local church organizations and groups.
Denise Garner: Dental Hygienist
Denise joined Athens Smiles in June 2007 as a temp and then officially in November of that same year. She graduated TJC Hygiene Program in 2006 and enjoys getting to know her patients both professionally and personally. Denise encourages regular visits to maintain optimal dental health and would love for you to come see her. Originally from Kansas, she and husband Michael moved to Athens in 2002. They have two adult sons Alex and Nathan and two precious grandchildren, Elise and Addis. In her time away from work she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, outdoor life and traveling. She is active in her church groups and committees and since the boys have grown up and moved out she has taught herself to crochet and knit.
Nora Allsip: Dental Hygienist
Nora joined Athens Smiles in October, 2008 . She has been practicing dental hygiene for 35 years in East Texas. She brings an uncanny amount of knowledge in both the real world and the dental hygiene field to our practice. She is our best educator in all things dental hygiene. Patients love her. Nora and her husband have two daughters, two granddaughters and one grandson. She enjoys reading, sewing, camping, spending time with her grandchildren and her pets.
Stephanie Perkins: Dental Hygienist
Stephanie joined Athens Smiles June 2008. Born and raised here in Athens, she graduated with honors from Athens High School. Stephanie graduated the dental hygiene program at Tyler Junior College in 2008 with many accolades and recognitions. She is a skin care specialist with Rodan & Fields and is just as adamant about a good skin regimen as she is a good dental hygiene regimen. She loves getting to know her patients and building long-term relationships. Stephanie has two children, Eli and Kassidy. She is active in her local church and school programs. Stephanie and her kids enjoy and spend a lot of time with various activities and sports organizations throughout the community.
Cadey Gillert: Dental Hygienist
Cadey joined Athens Smiles in April of 2018. She graduated from Blinn College. Cadey is quick to make patients feel at ease by building confidence, trust and friendship with each patient. Her smile, boisterous laughter, and warm nature make it easy for patients to feel comfortable. She is extremely devoted to educating patients on their individual needs. Cadey grew up locally and still resides here with her husband, Jeremy and their two children. She is active in her local church and many of its groups and organizations and is a cheer coach for ACPA. She enjoys working in her yard and spending quality time with family and friends.
Alejandra Bolanos: Dental Hygienist
Bio Coming Soon…
Isabelle Cooper: Dental Assistant & Lab Management
Izzy joined Athens Smiles in 2021!! She is an exceptional dental assistant and often times a front office associate as well. Isabelle oversees patient cases in our practice. The shipping, receiving and all that comes with such as the delays and rushes. Isabelle has a way with people experiencing the unpleasantries of life, she is compassionate and endearing and is happy to serve all she can in the practice. She is a single mom to her precious daughter and gives life all she can. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family and watching her daughter play softball!
Rocio Rosales: Bilingual Dental Assistant & Treatment Coordinator
Rosie joined Athens Smiles in 2022!! She is newly Texan as she moved here from South Carolina! She is an RDA and we utilize her clinical knowledge to provide accurate treatment planning for the patients who need dental work to resolve pressing matters. She works diligently with our insurance coordinator to make sure we are getting all we can from them! She is a pen fanatic and the sweetest thing you will ever meet. Her and husband Jesus have recently bought a home here in Athens, Texas and plan to start a family in the coming years. She has the sweetest smile and shares it freely and we have big plans for her future here! In her free time, she enjoys cooking and spending time with family.
Ketha Merrill: Practice Manager
Ketha joined Athens Smiles in 2023. She has been in dental office management for many years. Her passion for people and success, make her the perfect guide to helping this practice stay true to its mission. She is available to discuss and accommodate your every dental need and is always searching for ways to keep us moving as one. She is serious about her job, seeks to please, and is extremely flexible in helping you to discover a way to make treatment possible. We were happy to have her come join our team. Ketha and her husband have been married for 42 and they have 2 children and 6 grandkids. She enjoys loving on her grandbabies, taking care of her family, spending time on the family farm and studying prophecies.
Alejandra Espino: Bilingual Dental Assistant
Alee joined Athens Smiles in 2023. She has years of dental patient care experience and adds a great sense of urgency to the back office. She is prompt and efficient in her position and has a knack for easing patients during treatment. She is super personable and her experience in pediatric dentistry is super helpful at getting kiddos taken care of in our family practice. She is graduate of Malakoff ISD, class of 2014 and TSTC Waco dental assistant graduate, class of 2015. She is obsessed with shrimp in all forms and real cowboys. Alee is a boy mom of 2 and she enjoys working out and watching her boys play baseball.
Stormy Pearce: Dental Assistant
Bio Coming Soon…
Karina Zavala: Dental Assistant
Bio Coming Soon…
Marcela Robles: Insurance Coordinator
Marcela joined in Athens Smiles in 2023. She brings many years of experience with dental insurance to our front office team. She works diligently to get as much information as possible from insurance companies to enable our treatment coordinator to get your treatment cost estimates as close as possible! Her position is of great importance and helps patients maximize on their yearly benefits. Marcela grew up in the area and is an Athens ISD graduate. She is boy mom of 3 and enjoys soccer and taking beach trips in the Summer.
Crystal Vega: Marketing Specialist
Bio Coming Soon…
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