Meet The
team
Get to know Us
Our people set us apart. We’re passionate, friendly, and dedicated. Every member of our team is focused on ensuring you receive clear and compassionate care, and making sure you feel at home.
Toni Lafferty
CFO
I grew up all over, but mostly in California. I have worked in the financial industry since 1999, doing anything from data entry, bookkeeping, payroll, and investment portfolio reconciliations. I have worked in dental since 2018, and am happy to say I can speak the language. I graduated from UCMT in 2001 and have completed additional massage and bodywork courses over the years. I’ve been singing since I learned to talk, I can play the piano, marimba, and most percussion instruments, and am often absently whistling some random tune without thinking (mostly disney, showtunes or oldies). As a mother of 6 adventurous kids, life is rarely without an anecdote. I am quirky, witty, helpful, and hard working. I love my family, words, puns, a good belly laugh and think hugs are better than food. I genuinely love people and believe that friends are just family members that we are blessed to choose to have in our lives.
Leah Mowrer
Registered Dental Hygienist
Originally from Douglas, Arizona, I have called New Mexico home for nearly 40 years. I began my career in the dental field in 2005 as a dental assistant, which sparked my passion for patient care and preventative dentistry. I later continued my education in Las Cruces at Doña Ana Community College, where I earned an Associate of Applied Science in Dental Hygiene. During my time there, I graduated at the top of my class and served as the Student Hygiene Representative.
As a dedicated dental professional, I strive to create a comfortable, positive experience for every patient while providing high-quality care grounded in compassion and clinical excellence.
Outside of work, I am a proud mother of four amazing children, including a set of twins. I love spending time outdoors—whether hiking, biking, or elk hunting—and I also enjoy cooking, baking, traveling, and making memories with my family.
Alleah Candelaria
Registered Dental Hygienist
I graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. As a proud native New Mexican and member of the San Felipe Tribe, I deeply value our cultural traditions—especially when it comes to our amazing local cuisine, with both red and green chile at the top of my list. I love spending time outdoors, particularly hiking and exploring the beautiful landscapes of our state. When I’m not serving patients or enjoying nature, I cherish every moment with my two beautiful daughters and my wonderful partner.
Paula Le
Registered Dental Hygienist
Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, I proudly graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2024 with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene. With a strong foundation in patient care and oral health education, I am passionate about helping people maintain healthy, confident smiles.
Outside of the dental field, I have a rich and active life. I’m bilingual in English and Vietnamese, which has allowed me to connect with a wider range of patients and communities. I love to travel with my best friends, explore new foods as a dedicated foodie, and stay active through regular workouts. Spending quality time with my little sister is one of my favorite ways to relax and stay grounded.
With a commitment to lifelong learning and a drive to grow in my profession, I look forward to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those I serve.
Caressa Goodman
Dental Assistant
Originally from Durango, Colorado, I have worked in the dental industry for over 20 years, with most of my career dedicated to the specialized field of periodontics. I now love being part of a practice where I can help in all aspects of dentistry. I’m especially passionate about helping patients overcome their fears and actually enjoy coming to see us.
I cherish spending time with my husband and our two fantastic children, and I devote much of my free time to volunteer ministry work with my church—it’s incredibly fulfilling and keeps me grounded.
Travel is one of my greatest joys. I’ve been fortunate to explore Canada, Jamaica, St. Thomas, the Dominican Republic, Belize, Mexico, the Bahamas, England, France, Norway, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and Indonesia, with many more destinations still on my bucket list.
I also love camping in my teepee, snorkeling, and even swimming with sharks—adventures that remind me to embrace life fully and fearlessly.
Julisa Villa
Dental Assistant
Originally from El Paso, Texas but proudly rooted in Albuquerque, New Mexico for most of my life, I am a first-generation American with a passion for serving others. With 2 years of experience in my current field, I can truly say I love what I do! My professional journey has also led me to serve as both a firefighter and a correctional officer—roles that have shaped my resilience, empathy, and commitment to making a positive impact.
Beyond my career, I’m a dedicated mom to six beautiful children, and my family inspires me in everything I do. I’m also a fitness enthusiast and love to stay active—whether I’m working out, hiking, fishing, or enjoying any adventure outdoors. As a true foodie, I’m always exploring new flavors, and music is my soul—fueling my energy and creativity every day.
I bring my passion for people, community, and personal growth into my work, and I’m excited to continue doing what I love in this amazing field.
Harmony Castillo
Dental Assistant
I’m originally from Ojo Encino, New Mexico on the Navajo reservation, where I was raised by a loving and supportive family. Though I’m new to the dental field, I’ve quickly discovered a passion for helping people gain confidence through their smile—it’s incredibly rewarding to see their faces light up.
Outside the office, I love to travel new places and try new foods. I also love to enjoy riding horses, spending time with my family. Before dentistry, I became a certified welder and worked construction couple years back, began working on towards heavy equipment machinery certification—experiences that taught me discipline, precision, and a strong work ethic.
Whether I’m in the clinic or out in nature, I bring curiosity, dedication, and heart to everything I do.
Jayda
Dental Assistant
Hi there! I’m originally from Las Vegas, Nevada, and I began my dental career journey at Pima Medical Institute in 2019. I come from a big family with eight amazing siblings—and one extra-large pit bull named Broly who keeps life entertaining!
When I’m not working, you can usually find me binge-watching horror shows (even though I’m a happy and upbeat person at heart) or exploring new places across the United States. I’m passionate about learning and currently expanding my education to become an even better dental assistant.
Langston Lafferty
Lab Tech
I began my journey in the dental field this year and quickly discovered a passion for laboratory work—especially the artistry behind creating implant crowns, porcelain crowns, and occlusal guards. I thrive in the technical precision that this work requires, a skill I credit to my dad, whose dedication to detail has always inspired me to push myself and continually improve.
Outside the lab, I love staying active through rock climbing and snowboarding. I come from a big family with five siblings and am proud to be Dr. Lafferty’s son. My faith is also very important to me—I served a mission in California with my church, an experience that shaped my sense of service and resilience. Looking ahead, I aspire to serve as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force and bring that same focus and discipline to every step of my journey.
Judith Perez Cervantes
Business Assistant
Originally from Arizona, I’ve called Albuquerque home for over 20 years. With 10 years of experience in the dental field, I am passionate about helping people gain confidence through healthy, beautiful smiles. I love what I do and bring joy and laughter to the team every day, helping create a positive and uplifting environment for both patients and coworkers.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending quality time with my family. In my spare moments, you can often find me drawing, painting, or keeping my mind sharp with Sudoku puzzles. Creativity, warmth, and a love for problem-solving define both my work and my personal life, and I bring that same energy to every patient I serve.
Mariah Cannon
Business Assistant
Originally from the beautiful Monterey Bay area of California, I have called Albuquerque home for the past two years. I’ve been part of the dental field for three years, where I’ve developed a strong foundation in patient care, clinical support, and creating positive experiences for everyone who walks through the door.
I am currently pursuing my Diagnostic Medical Sonography degree at CNM, driven by a passion for healthcare and a desire to expand my skills in a meaningful, patient-centered profession.
Outside of work and school, I’m happiest spending time with my two beloved cats, Mr. Burger and Milkshake. I also enjoy writing acoustic music, hiking the trails around Sandia Peak with my wonderful husband, and finding moments of joy while exploring the forest.
Harriet Browman
Business Assistant
Grew up in Florida Been in dental since 1994 Grand dog corgi mix Gracie. Married for 57 years. Love to know the patients spent most of her life in Miami, Florida where she raised 2 sons, and lots of dogs and a cat. She taught Jazzercise for 13 years. Then in 1994 she began working in dental offices. In 2016, they followed her oldest son and daughter-in-law to Albuquerque and she started with ABQ Gentle Dentistry in 2018.Some of Harriet’s favorite pastimes are cooking, reading, going for road trips, eating out and spending time with her family. One of her favorite and most important roles she plays in our office is welcoming patients and making every patient’s visit as pleasant and comfortable as possible. Harriet especially enjoys going over and above to accommodate our patient’s needs, taking a genuine interest in each patient’s life events and family connections.