Meet Our Team

Ana - Dr. Carlston's Right Hand (and Left Brain)Ana

Registered Dental Assistant Extraordinaire

If there's a mystery to solve in the operatory, Ana's already two clues ahead. With the precision of a dental explorer and the curiosity of a detective, she's the Sherlock Holmes of suction, sterilization, and sweet sympathy. If she hadn't chosen dentistry, she'd probably be tailing suspects in a trench coat-because Ana doesn't miss details, whether it's a misaligned molar or a missing clue.

Off the clock, Ana's hands stay just as busy-crocheting tiny masterpieces, one loop at a time. She's been practicing since childhood and has a knack for turning yarn into joy. Her true weakness? Pastries. The sweeter the better. Offer her cake or a cream puff, and you've got a lifelong friend.

She once got lost in the foggy hills of Honduras near midnight, only to wake up in a breathtaking mountain town called Marcala-a hidden gem that turned a misstep into magic. That's Ana in a nutshell: she sees the beauty in the unexpected and brings calm to the chaos.

If she could trade places for a day, she'd don scrubs with Operation Smile, helping perform cleft palate surgeries and witnessing lives transformed. And speaking of transformation, her favorite color is pink, because life, like her crochet yarn, is better when it's bright and full of heart.

Angela - The Humming Hygienist with a Pro Athlete's Heart

Dental Hygienist & Unofficial Pickleball Champion

Meet Angela-part health coach, part hygiene guru, part hummingbird. Literally. Patients call her *The Humming Hygienist* because she can't help but hum while she works. It's her signature soundtrack of compassion, care, and perfectly polished pearly whites.

If she weren't in dentistry, she'd be racking up millions on the pro pickleball circuit-and honestly, we believe she could. She once trained as an Olympic track star before an injury changed her path, but her competitive spirit and dedication stayed right where they belonged: front and center.

Angela never says no to dessert, but it's always followed by flossing, brushing, and probably an extra workout. She's a self-proclaimed Hallmark movie lover... who also secretly enjoys horror films. It's a balance. Her go-to karaoke songs? Anything by Shania Twain-*"I'm Gonna Getcha Good!"* or *"Any Man of Mine"* if you're lucky. She once made a dating app profile but hasn't had time to find a match. (She's hoping he finds her. Gentlemen: consider this your sign.)

Angela's coworkers describe her as compassionate, gentle, and thorough -a true teacher of hygiene and home care who takes the time to make patients feel seen and supported.

She lives with one very important roommate: Jesus. When you walk into her home, you know she's a woman of faith. And when you sit in her chair, you know you're in good hands.

Outdoors, concerts, sports, comedy shows, movies-Angela's joy spills over into everything she touches. And if you hear a hum while she's polishing your teeth? That's the sound of someone who truly loves what she does.

Gita - Gita The Quiet Force Behind the Sparkle

Dental Hygienist

If excellence had a blueprint, Gita would be following it-thoroughly, calmly, and thoughtfully. That's not just our opinion-it's exactly how her coworkers describe her. Gita brings the kind of steady grace to dentistry that makes patients feel instantly at ease, like they've landed in the hands of someone who's equal parts scientist, artist, and calming presence.

If she weren't perfecting smiles, she'd be deep in research, unearthing answers the world didn't know it needed. She has a passion for organizing (truly she called it her hidden talent), and she believes even dark chocolate deserves its own neatly labeled bin.

She once traveled solo and didn't just survive-she soared. That same quiet confidence is what makes her a natural at what she does. Secretly? She loves Notting Hill. Boldly? She'd trade places with a NASA flight director for a day, guiding a spacecraft instead of a scaler.

Ask her to sing, and you might get a soulful rendition of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," which seems fitting for someone so quietly determined. Gita is a cactus survivor, a dog lover, and once even met a Nobel laureate-which feels just about right. Because in her own gentle way, she's got laureate-level wisdom wrapped in a soft smile and a steady hand.

Lina - Queen of First Impressions (and the Last Laugh)

Receptionist & Resident Ray of Sunshine

If you've ever walked into our office and felt instantly better, you can thank Lina. With a warm smile, a friendly voice, and just enough sass to keep things interesting, she's the one who sets the tone-welcoming patients like old friends and making new ones feel right at home.

If she weren't in dentistry, she'd be rescuing animals and ladling out love at a local shelter. Her hidden talent? Cooking her mom's classic recipes-especially when a grilled steak is involved. (If you smell something delicious and comforting, it's probably coming from Lina's kitchen.)

The most unexpected thing she's ever done? She took a solo road trip from Hollister to San Francisco just to cross the Golden Gate Bridge-no phone, no map, just courage and instinct. That mix of independence and sentiment defines her. She's a fan of "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest-a woman who loves depth, wit, and stories that challenge the norm.

Her musical soul belongs to Madonna. Her karaoke go-to is "You're an Angel" (guess who by?), and if she could trade places with anyone for a day, it would be the Material Girl herself-red lipstick and all.

Lina once greeted President and Nancy Reagan at a previous dental office. She remembers thinking the President was taller than expected-and Mrs. Reagan? Reserved at first, but opened up once Lina shared that her father had Alzheimer's.

She rescued her beloved cat PK, who has since become her first true pet -and maybe her most appreciative audience.

Her coworkers say she's a know-it-all, a therapist, and a comedian. And somehow, they're all right. Lina listens with heart, speaks with honesty, and makes even a waiting room feel like home.

Naylea The Quiet Spark Who Makes Everything Click

Front Office Systems Pro & Sweet-Hearted Tech Whiz

Naylea may be soft-spoken, but don't let that fool you-she's quietly running the show behind the scenes. From streamlining office systems to keeping things on track with a click and a calm nod, she's the go-to guru when the tech gets tricky or the details need a gentle touch.

If she hadn't joined the world of dentistry, she'd probably be in a classroom, surrounded by crayons, curious minds, and the kind of laughter only kids can bring. She's a natural caregiver-sweet, helpful, and always tuned in, even if she doesn't always speak first.

When she's not baking up something delicious (her hidden talent) or dreaming about pizza (her forever favorite), she's cuddling her beloved dog Milo and probably watching her favorite comfort movie: Grown Ups. The one person she'd trade places with for a day?

YouTuber One Day Ortiz-whose charisma and creativity she secretly admires.

She once *almost* jumped out of a plane... and then changed her mind just four minutes before the leap. (We say that still counts as brave!) Her karaoke go-to? "Cherry" by Junior H-a song that holds a little mystery, a lot of heart, and maybe just enough bass to bring out her bold side.

Naylea is the kind of teammate who notices everything, does things right the first time, and never asks for credit. But we see her. And we're all better because of her.

Shaimaa Our Behind-the-Scenes Wonder from the Land of Pharaohs

Administrative Coordinator (and Spirit Lifter)

You may not see Shaimaa in the hallways, but make no mistake-she's the quiet command center of the Carlston Dental Universe. Working remotely from Los Angeles, with family ties to Egypt and a mind as sharp as a scalpel, she keeps our systems humming, our paperwork flawless, and our sanity mostly intact.

If she weren't in dentistry, she'd be elbow-deep in flour, frosting, and fondant-because baking is her not-so-hidden talent. (And yes, CHOC is her forever guilty pleasure. That's chocolate, in case you're not on a nickname basis yet.)

Shaimaa once jumped out of a plane. Voluntarily. And if that doesn't tell you she's brave and bold, consider that she's also been inside the Great Pyramid of Giza-a once-in-a-lifetime experience that left her speechless (which is rare, because she's also hilariously funny).

Her go-to karaoke anthem? "I Want It That Way" by the Backstreet Boys. And yes, she hits the harmonies.

Shaimaa lives with her sister and her sister's two spirited daughters (her nieces). Whether she's syncing spreadsheets, catching up on movies, or moonlighting as Jeff Bezos for a day (in her dreams), she's always helpful, funny, and caring-just like her coworkers describe her.

She's the kind of person who cuts through the noise, solves problems with charm, and never forgets to laugh. Shaimaa, we want it *your* way-because our team simply wouldn't work without you.