Runi Snelson, RDA - Office Administrator

Please accept our sincere gratitude for your interest in obtaining your dental care at our office. My name is Runi Snelson. As the Office Administrator, it is my pleasure to welcome you and acquaint you with our office staff. Our primary goal is to help you attain your optimum dental health.With a staff of 38 people, you may see different faces on subsequent appointments.

We would like you to feel at ease with each staff member and to know how the experience and knowledge of each one contributes to the dental services we offer. I joined this office in 1976 after my initial training in a prestigious New York dental office followed by 10 years in a very fine Huntington Beach dental office. I obtained my formal dental training at Cypress College and received my Registered Dental Assistant (R.D.A.) certification in 1977.

I maintain my dental continuing education with participation in management seminars, updating my CPR with the Red Cross, maintaining my X-ray license, and supporting the Dental Assistants' Association.

In my spare time, I enjoy a wide variety of activities including ballroom dancing, knitting, oil painting, skiing, aerobics, and classical music. In addition, I enjoy my independent travel consulting with Women in Travel and as a member of the American Society of Travel Agents. I was raised in Bergen, Norway, and I have a wonderful 3 year old granddaughter. I am here to assist you with your dental treatment, and I will be pleased to answer, or find the answer to, any of your questions. For now, please allow me to introduce you to our staff.

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 Sherry Baker - Receptionist / Practice Manager

Sherry Barker joined our office in 1979 after moving to Orange County from Arizona. She graduated from the Arizona Dental Assistant School in 1970 and practiced her vocation as a dental assistant in an orthodontic office and in a very highly regarded prosthodontic office until her move to California.

Sherry and her husband, Doug, enjoy the beach, travel, movies, fishing and each other's companionship.

Sherry has extensive experience as a dental assistant and receptionist to help you schedule your appointments in the most convenient and efficient manner.

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 Debbie Ditto - Receptionist / Practice Manager

Debbie Ditto was born and raised in Los Angeles attending Hacienda Heights High School and Mt. San Antonio Community College. She joined with Dr. Rich in 1992 and joined our staff when Dr. Rich merged her practice with our office in 1995.

Her genuine concern for our patients' comfort and well-being, as well as her adept interpersonal skills, makes Debbie a very important member of our front desk team. As a Treatment Coordinator, Debbie helps our patients arrange all phases of their restorative dental care in the sequence that meets their personal goals and needs. In addition to individual treatment planning, she coordinates appointments that are most convenient to our patients' schedules, makes affordable financial arrangements, and works to maximize patients' dental insurance benefits. She is a strong patient advocate.

Debbie and her husband, Bill, have two delightful children - a son, 22, and a daughter, 19. Their son is a senior at UC Santa Barbara and is majoring in psychology. Their daughter is a freshman at Sonoma State University. Debbie and her husband enjoy their visits with them as well as their family retreats to their Capistrano beach house. Debbie's other activities include running and traveling with her husband.

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 Melody Esquer, RDA - Receptionist / Practice Manager

Melody Esquer, R.D.A., our one true native, was born and raised in Newport Beach attending Estancia High School. Melody obtained her dental assisting education at the Bryman Campus of the National Education Center graduating in 1973. She continued her education with a two year program in Dental Assisting at Orange Coast College graduating in 1976.

With thirty-one years as a dental assistant, receptionist, and office manager, Melody has become an extremely efficient and proficient staff member. She truly enjoys assisting you with your appointment scheduling and dental insurance.

Melody and her husband of twenty-three years have two beautiful daughters age nineteen and twelve. She is active with her daughters in YMCA programs, Indian Maidens, Trail Blazers and various school and church activities including past terms as Auxiliary President for St. John the Baptist School.

Melody enjoys traveling in her spare time, having traveled extensively through Europe and the Hawaiian Islands. Other hobbies include cooking, crafts, and the beach.

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 Kate Salcido, RDA - Receptionist / Practice Manager

Kate Salcido, RDA, joined our dental team in 2004 after 39 years of experience in the field of dentistry. Kate is a native Californian raised in Whittier. She attended UC Santa Barbara where she completed her prerequisites for a career in dentistry. She graduated with honors from Los Angeles College of Medical and Dental Assistants in 1966. Kate received her RDA by attending classes at USC. 

After working in general dentistry for 15 years, Kate joined a prestigious endodontic practice in Newport Beach. During her 22 years there, she had the opportunity of meeting and assisting many of our wonderful patients. To broaden her career, she managed a prominent periodontal office in Huntington Beach for 2 years.

Kate has an amazing daughter, who is married and resides in Huntington Beach. Kate enjoys the beach, movies, walking, reading, gardening and home improvement projects. 

Kate brings a wealth of experience to our office and looks forward to assisting you with your appointment scheduling. 

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 Joan Arakawa, RDH - Registered Dental Hygienist

Joan Arakawa, R.D.H., was raised in Orange County and graduated from California State University Fullerton in 1972. She furthered her education at the Interior Designer's Guild and worked in the field of interior design for nine years. At the urging of her dentist father, Joan returned to college and received her Dental Hygiene degree from the U.S.C. School of Dentistry in 1993. After graduation, Joan taught at U.S.C. part time and practiced Dental Hygiene at her father and brother's dental office. We are delighted Joan moved to Newport Beach and joined our staff.

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 Stacy Boylan, RDH - Registered Dental Hygienist

Stacy Boylan, RDH, was raised locally in Mission Viejo and attended El Toro High School. She obtained her dental hygiene education at USC, graduating in 1985 with a BS in Dental Hygiene.

After graduation, Stacy received a faculty appointment at USC, teaching part-time in the Dental Hygiene Department. She joined the staff in 1992.

Stacy volunteers one day a month at the SOS (Save Our Selves) Dental Clinic for underprivileged children and adults. Active in organized dental hygiene, Stacy is a member of the American Dental Hygiene Association and was appointed by the State of California as a recorder for the Dental Hygiene Board. 

In her free time, Stacy and her husband enjoy bicycling, running and skiing. 

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 Marilyn Dickson, RDH - Registered Dental Hygienist

Marilyn Dickson, R.D.H., is originally from Seattle, Washington. She graduated from Yakima Valley College in Washington with an A.S. degree in Dental Hygiene, with full expanded duties, in 1977. She practiced in Yakima for eight years. In 1985, she moved to Newport Beach where she joined a prestigious periodontist's office.

From 1990 to 1996, Marilyn lived in Singapore and traveled extensively throughout Asia and Europe.

When she is not working, Marilyn enjoys her daily run, going to the gym, tennis and cooking.

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 Lisa Michie, RDH - Registered Dental Hygienist

Lisa Michie, R.D.H., was born and raised in Delano, California. After high school, Lisa moved to Long Beach achieving her Bachelor's Degree in Parks and Recreation in 1980. With this degree, she maintained a vocation in property management and development.

Lisa developed an interest in dental hygiene, graduating from Cypress Dental Hygiene College in 1997. She serves the dental hygiene community with active memberships in the California, Orange County, and American Dental Hygiene Association.

Lisa, and her husband of 24 years, enjoy surfing, bicycling, and fly fishing.

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 Anne Overby, RDH - Registered Dental Hygienist

Anne Overby, RDH, was born and raised in Long Beach, graduating from Robert A. Millikan High School in 1981. She received her certificate in dental assisting from Long Beach City College and her RDA in 1983. While at Long Beach City College, she was able to take her general education courses and prerequisite courses for dental hygiene. Anne attended the Dental Hygiene program at Cerritos College, graduated in 1988 with an AS degree in Dental Hygiene, and joined the staff in 1991.

Anne is very active in her profession. Since 1989, Anne has fulfilled a State of California appointment to help administer the examinations for Registered Dental Hygienists certification.

Anna and her husband, Mike, have 2 children, Michael and Amanda. Currently, Anne is active in her son's baseball organization as a team mom. She also looks forward to volunteer work in her children's classrooms. When they have time, the family enjoys going to June Lake for fishing and relaxing. Anne also enjoys walking their dog and reading.

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 Sandir Holland, RDH - Registered Dental Assistant

Sandir Holland, RDA, was born in Brazil and moved to Southern California when she was 13. Sandir obtained her dental assisting education in 1972. After 5 years of assisting in an excellent dental practice in Riverside, she joined Dr. Eriksmoen's staff in 1978 and became part of the current staff when the dental practices merged in 1992.

Sandir has a unique ability to express her compassion to patients with anxiety toward dental procedures and assist them during their dental treatment. In addition, Sandir has become very proficient in the fabrication of provisional restorations and counseling patients to obtain their optimum dental health and aesthetic potential.

Sandir's hobbies include drawing and painting en plein-air. She enjoys art museums, gardening, traveling, the theater and photography. She is blessed with a wonderful son and 2 granddaughters.

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