Meet the Team
Awilda Vargas, RDH
Awilda received her Bachelor's degree in Allied Health from Fones School of Dental Hygiene and has been with Family Dental Practice for nearly 25 years! She is also retired from the Army Reserves after 21 years. Awilda is the gardener at Family Dental beautifying the front as well as the back of our building. She also enjoys her own extensive garden at her home in Hartford. When she is not busy keeping her patient's mouths healthy, she travels with her family.
Ashley Halpert, RDH
Ashley recently joined our team in September 2008. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene from the Forsyth Dental Hygiene program at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Boston. She finds her job very rewarding and satisfying being able to contribute her skills and knowledge to successfully achieve optimal patient care as well as comfort during all appointments. The most gratifying aspect of her job is being able to help her patients feel good about themselves through their smiles. Her career goals include furthering her education by ultimately pursuing her master's degree. Ashley enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends and her two dogs, Bella and Bailey.
Jean Slater, RDH
Jean has been a member of Family Dental Practice's team for 10 years. She received her hygiene degree from Erie Community College in Buffalo, N.Y. She enjoys helping her patients achieve and maintain optimum oral health in a relaxed setting. Taking continuing education courses throughout the year, keeps her current with all the new advances, methods and technology in the hygiene field. She is the one who keeps the bird feeders full and knows the names of most of the birds. She enjoys sewing and has recently taken up quilting. Jean resides in Farmington with her husband. She is expecting her seventh grandchild in April.
Elaina Charbonneau, RDH
Elaina Charbonneau is the most recent hygienist to join our family. Elaina received her Associates Degree in Dental Hygiene from Tunxis Community College. She is enjoying the family friendly atmosphere here at Family Dental. She strives to help her patients maintain oral health so they can have a beautiful smile for years to come. In her free time she likes doing crafts and listening to a variety of music. Elaina resides in Ellington with her husband Gary and children Zak and Amanda.
Carol, Financial Coordinator
Carol, Family Dental Practice's "Insurance Expert" has been with us since 1992! Her kind demeanor and extensive knowledge make her indispensable. You can hear Carol's contagious laughter throughout the office. Consistent in her attention to detail and extremely hardworking, Carol handles all the financial and account issues for our patients including insurance processing. If you need assistance with patient financing, she will do her best to get you approved quickly. Out of the office, Carol is busy with her husband and 2 sons that play baseball and as a family they love going to baseball games.
Sharon, Patient Coordinator
One of the first friendly and familiar faces you will see when you walk into Family Dental practice is Sharon. Since joining the practice in 1998, Sharon has developed a vast knowledge of dental insurance plans. A perfectionist at scheduling treatment and explaining patient's co-payments, Sharon will be sure you understand you financial obligations before all appointments. She enjoys getting to know all the patients and is always there to lend a hand with a big smile! Sharon enjoys spending quality family time with her husband Ed and their daughter Olivia. The addition of "Maggie" the 70 pound puppy keeps the whole family busy!
Marci, Patient Coordinator
Marci has been with the Family Dental Practice Team since 2002. She brings warmth and sincerity to our office and takes pride in making every patient feel at ease with her pleasant and soft-spoken manner. Marci's goal is to help each patient understand their treatment plans so they may fulfill not only their dental needs but also and dental wishes- like a beautiful smile! In her free time, Marci enjoys reading, hiking and traveling to her cabin in Vermont with her family. She is currently planning her son's upcoming wedding. He is in the United States Navy stationed in Virginia. She also loves spending time with her daughter and going for jogs.
Kati, Patient Coordinator
Kati has been at Family Dental Practice for 2 years. She meets and greets all of our patients at the front desk where you will see her never ending smile awaiting you every time you visit! Kati has a bubbly personality and her efficiency with scheduling helps to get patients checked in and out quickly so they can get on with their busy days. In 2007 she graduated from American International College with a Bachelor's degree in Marketing. Outside the office Kati enjoys traveling, cooking and going for walks with her 2 boxers.
Mary Beth, Dental Assistant
Mary Beth has been part of the Family Dental Practice team for over a year. When you visit Dr. Stephen Mason, you will be greeted by Mary Beth and her bright smile. The excellent training Mary Beth has received has allowed her to excel in her position at Family Dental Practice. She enjoys golfing, hiking, gardening and spending time with her family.
Gabrielle, Dental Assistant
Gabrielle has been with Family Dental Practice since 2009. She graduated in 2006 with a Bachelor's degree in Communication Arts and in 2009 with a Masters degree in Communication Arts: Electronic Media. She works on the social media sites for the office as well as editing the website alongside Heidi. Gabrielle believes the training she received by the doctors and staff at Family Dental has made her the assistant she is today, attentive, knowledgeable and enthusiastic about caring for her patients alongside Dr. Meltzer. She makes patients feel at ease nad takes extra time to answer any questions they may have.
Denise, Dental Assistant
Denise has been in the dental field for 19 years. She does not consider her position with Family Dental Practice as a "job" because she enjoys it so much. Educating her patients about their dental needs is the most rewarding part of her day. Denise gets great pleasure helping patients understand the procedures and how it will improve their lives both appearance wise and emotionally. Making positive decisions that produce a youthful look is also beneficial to their overall health. Denise feels that one of the most important goals each day is to make sure every patient feels relaxed and comfortable in her chair. She is married and has a son Steven.
Kristen, Dental Assistant
Kristen is our surgical assistant and she works side by side with Dr. Jonathan Mason during all surgical extractions. Her sweet and kind demeanor makes her patients feel secure and comfortable. She brings her formal education and experience in dental assisting to our office instilling confidence every step of the procedure. If you want to know anything about wisdom teeth extractions from what to expect before the appointment as well as after, Kristen is happy to help with your questions. Kristen is married and lives with her husband Ryan and baby girl as well as their 2 German Sheppards Gunner and Sergeant.
Heidi Tiedmann, Practice Administrator
Heidi is our Dental Administrator and has been a part of our "family" for 16 years. She has over 30 years of dental office experience and considers herself a "hands on" manager. Her love of dentistry as resulted in a comprehensively high tech facility offering the community as well as surrounding towns the very best in dental care. That love has also brought together a team of dedicated and caring professionals. "Our systems, protocols and superior staff have created an environment of trust and integrity that keep our chairs full yet we are always happy to welcome new and soon to be loyal happy patients!" Heidi enjoys running and spending time with her 2 daughters.
