Lana Drewniak, RDH
Lana was born and raised in Bulgaria until she moved to New York City with her family. She graduated from New York University College of Dental Hygiene in 1997. She became a registered dental hygienist (RDH) because she enjoys connecting with people and it gives her a sense of purpose in helping people understand their oral hygiene. While Lana worked with us part-time prior to 2020, she has now joined Dearfield Family Dentistry officially!
She enjoys traveling, fine art (specifically 17th through 19th-century European oil paintings), and classical music. She loves watching Verdi, Puccini, and Rossini’s operas. Her favorite composers are Bach, Mozart, Shostakovich, and Stravinsky. She loves to explore new cultures and countries, and she is particularly fond of beaches!
Tatiana Silva, RDH
Tatiana joined us as a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) at Dearfield Family Dentistry in 2020 and before that, she was a Dental Assistant for 7 years. She loves the world of Dentistry, and she enjoys helping people achieve their best oral health and deliver beautiful smiles! She is from Poços de Caldas, Brazil, and now lives in CT with her husband Ronni and 3 children. She is also a certified Zumba instructor and loves to dance during her off time. She also loves boating, cooking, traveling, and keeping herself and her family active! Lucky for us, we get to taste her amazing desserts from time to time! Tatiana is passionate about educating patients to improve their oral health and she really enjoys seeing improvements upon their returns. You will feel her positive, happy energy and it makes her quality of work even better!
Jackie Rivera, RDH
Meet Jackie, a seasoned Dental Hygienist with a genuine passion for oral health and patient care! With over 20 years of experience as a Hygienist, Jackie has honed her skills, expertise, and compassionate approach to ensure every patient receives top-notch dental care. Jackie’s gentle yet firm technique during cleanings is appreciated by many patients; her thoroughness and the extra attention she gives to ensure a deep, effective cleaning. Those who prefer a more firm cleaning experience often request her as their Hygienist. Jackie’s dedication to her craft goes beyond just cleanings. She takes time to educate them on proper dental hygiene practices to help them understand the importance of maintaining oral health to prevent future dental issues. With her seasoned expertise and her caring nature, she strives to make every dental visit a positive and comfortable experience! Aside from work, she loves to hang out with her Ghost Storm, a dog she owns! She enjoys hiking and walking on the beach on a sunny cool day!
Lauryna Francisque, RDH
Lauryna is a dedicated and accomplished Dental Hygienist who is passionate about her profession. With 17 years of experience in the Healthcare industry prior to practicing as a Dental Hygienist, she has seen what poor oral healthcare can lead to. Motivated by her own positive experiences with Dr. Gogate as his patient, she embarked on a journey to become a Dental Hygienist and now works alongside him in delivering exceptional dental care! Having been inspired by Dr. Gogate, Lauryna witnessed firsthand the impact a compassionate and skilled dental professional can have on someone’s life. This experience ignited her desire to make a difference in the field and provide the same level of care and support to patients as she received. Having to care for 6 children, Lauryna has mastered her skill of taking the time to understand each patient’s unique needs, ensuring their comfort throughout their dental visit. Her friendly and accommodating nature creates a calming environment, allowing patients to feel relaxed and at ease. Lauryna speaks French and Creole allowing her to communicate with our patients who are not native English speakers. Aside from her work, she enjoys collecting household antiques and participates in community outreach at her church. We continue to admire her for how she gets everything done with a big family to care for!
Tongni Clumson, RDH
Tongni is a highly skilled and compassionate Dental Hygienist popular for his remarkable tranquility and undeniable expertise in oral healthcare! With an aura of serenity that puts patients at ease, his peaceful approach has a positive impact on patient wellness. With 6 years of experience in the field, he is known for his gentle touch and soothing demeanor, he has the most anxious patients feel comfortable during their appointments. Outside of his professional life, Tongni enjoys calligraphy and outdoor activities such as hiking! His most memorable travel for was the Peruvian rainforest and the island of St. Lerins in France. His travel bucket list includes California (to see the redwood forest) and the Pacific Ocean. His peaceful presence and remarkable competence make him an invaluable asset to the dental community, enhancing the overall dental experience for all those he serves.
Jocelyn Diaz
Joselyn is our Lead Dental Assistant with extensive tenure at our practice. With her wealth of experience and expertise, she can handle a wide range of dental procedures and related tasks. Known for her unwavering commitment to dental excellence, Joselyn is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of dental care which makes her an integral part of Dearfield Family Dentistry. In addition to her technical skills, Joselyn is highly organized, detail-oriented, and a multi-tasker. Her motivation and inspiration come from Dominic, her son! Joselyn also loves to travel and shop; Italy is on her bucket list! Her favorite holiday is Christmas and she loves to spend her days off listening to Spanish music and doing home chores!
Monica Barrios
Monica is our newest Dental Assistant at Dearfield Family Dentistry. She loves reading inspirational books that contribute to her optimistic and positive attitude. With excellent interpersonal skills, she creates a welcoming and positive atmosphere in our offices! With Monica as your Dental Assistant, you can expect a welcoming, comfortable dental experience as she understands the impact that a smile can have on people! Her dedication, enthusiasm, and strong work ethic make her a valuable asset to any dental team. In her free time, she enjoys skateboarding, acrylic, and watercolor painting! She also collects healing crystals!
Adriana Baez
Adriana is a seasoned Dental Assistant with over 10 years of experience. She was originally recruited by her Dentist! She initially embarked on this journey with little knowledge of what lay ahead. However, it didn’t take too long for her to fall head over heels in love with her role. The opportunity to make a genuine difference in people’s lives, to assist in maintaining optimal oral health, and to help alleviate dental fears quickly fueled her passion. Adriana possesses a unique trait that sets her apart: her patience when it comes to training new dental assistants. Understanding the challenges that come with learning the ropes, she makes it a point to provide guidance and support, helping newly hired assistants grow and develop their skills. Her unwavering dedication to making a positive work environment makes her a cherished member of our office! You will find Adriana fully dressed up on Halloween because it is her favorite holiday and it’s her birthday! To match this theme, she loves to watch crime suspense shows to relax!
Michelle Lopez
Michelle is a Lab Technician.