Meet The Team at West Valley Dental Implant Practice
Geraldine H: Office Manager
What do biology, medical school, dentistry, and April 1st have in common? These are the unexpected stepping stones that led Geraldine to join Dr. P.’s periodontal practice in 2003—and she’s been a driving force ever since.
With over 20 years of experience, Geraldine brings a unique blend of structure, intuition, and warmth to her role. She takes pride in managing the daily operations with precision while fostering a team culture rooted in respect, accountability, and service. Her favorite compliment? When Dr. P. says, “You read my mind.”
Geraldine is passionate about enhancing both the patient journey and clinical workflow—because long-term periodontal success depends not only on treatment, but on consistency, trust, and communication.
Outside the office, you’ll find her exploring new destinations, recharging through yoga and meditation, and feeding her curiosity through books and inspiring podcasts. She believes that staying grounded and open-minded helps her lead with clarity and support a practice that thrives on purpose.
Melissa: Patient and Doctor Liaison
With a desire for providing outmost support to others, Melissa takes pride in her precious position in our practice helping our new and existing patients who need outmost attention and care. With a caring, loving and nurturing spirit, she brings a vibe to our office that is fun for all and inviting to our patients.
Lorena: Clinical Assistant
Six years ago, Lorena fell in love with dentistry as she knew she could help people in a very personal way.
“When I started with Dr. P. five years ago, I learned that dentistry was an art. An art of skill, craft, caring, and commitment to making every patient happy with their treatment and transformation.”
Today, Lorena continues to learn the “art of dentistry,” as Dr. P. doesn’t just treat patients, he also teaches his team to be their best.
At the end of the day, as she heads home to her 3 dogs and 3 turtles—yes 3 turtles—there is a satisfaction of knowing Lorena’s patients’ smiles are a work of art.
Louise: Clinical Assistant
Just say “YES” is the attitude that has made Louise such an invaluable member of our team. From the summer of 2007 to today, Louise has just said YES to everything we’ve thrown at her! Beginning as a temporary on-call team member to today being one of Dr. P.’s trusted surgical assistants, Louise brings a feeling of home and family in all her patient care.
Where can you find her when she is not at the practice? Now an empty nester, she enjoys hiking, biking, and gardening, along with great adventures with her husband.
Louise’s secret dream? A vacation in Paris—Bon Voyage!
Margaret: Treatment Coordinator
Life is filled with many different paths, and Margaret’s has been rooted in the dental field for half of her life. It may not have been the path she initially intended, but over time, it’s proven to be perfectly paved for her.
She says of this experience, “Patients in a dental chair are in a most vulnerable position so they will have their guards up. Getting their trust is challenging, but once you do, it is very fulfilling. Meeting different people with different stories from different walks of life gives one a broader perspective in life.”
Outside of work, Margaret enjoys traveling, watching movies on the big screen with her boys, going bowling, or simply spending time with family and friends—especially when it involves good food, great wine, and plenty of laughter.
Mary: Specialty Hygienist
For Mary, dentistry is truly a family affair. From her grandfather and father to two uncles who are all dentists, you can say dental hygiene is in her genes. Hailing from Canada, Mary arrived in the states via Switzerland to teach dental hygiene at the University of Pennsylvania. There she met her husband Charlie and moved to California.
Joining Dr. Hyman and Dr. Mendelson’s practice in 1976, Mary was introduced to Dr. P. in 1998; together they have been a team ever since.
Dentistry is about legacy and family. Mary and Dr. P. share both of these core values as Mary easily transitions from dental hygienist to Mom, Grandma, and the master Girl Scout cookie salesperson with her four adorable grandchildren.
Kristine: Specialty Hygienist
Dreams really do come true when your goal is to serve others! Graduating top in her class, plus receiving the Golden Scaler Award, Kristine has dedicated her career to helping patients. She’s helped patients ranging from advanced cases of gum disease, periodontology, all the way to special needs children in pediatric dentistry—all to achieve healthy oral care.
Through special tools and techniques designed specifically for each one, Kristine’s patients all learn to maintain their oral hygiene habits.
Outside of her career, Kristine loves spending time with family, gardening, and cooking meals from her many travels. Her lifelong dream is to create or join a non-profit organization to use her dental hygiene knowledge and skills to help children in undeveloped countries.
We just know that this dream is going to come true soon!
Belinda: Specialty Hygienist
Belinda has been working as a registered dental hygienist for 30 years since she graduated from USC.
She has joined our team in order to continue to work diligently in treating & caring for our perio patients .
When not at work she enjoys being with family either just at home or venturing out to different places together with them.
Brenda
Brenda joined our practice in 2023 and is one of the friendly voices you’ll often hear when calling our office. She graduated from California State University, Northridge in 2014 with an emphasis in education, and brings a warm, helpful approach to every patient interaction. Whether over the phone or in person, Brenda is committed to making each visit as smooth and welcoming as possible.
She enjoys working alongside our amazing team, describing the office as a “second family.” Outside of work, Brenda is actively involved in her church community and loves spending quality time with her family—especially visiting amusement parks together.
Celeste
With nearly 20 years of experience in periodontics, Celeste brings both skill and heart to her role as a dental assistant. Now part of a dynamic and supportive team, she’s found a workplace where she feels at home and looks forward to growing for years to come. What Celeste enjoys most about her work is the strong sense of teamwork—where even the busiest days are made better by the energy, humor, and helpfulness of her colleagues.
Outside the office, she’s either soaking up ocean breezes or kicking up desert dust with her husband and friends in their off-road vehicles. A true animal lover, Celeste adores her 16-year-old cat Christian (who’s basically her fur son!) and cherishes time spent with her niece and nephews.
Lisa
Lisa brings a vibrant spirit and a genuine love for people to her work in the world of dentistry. Since joining Dr. Penhaskashi and the team, she has found joy in the collaborative environment and the daily opportunity to see patients leave with brighter smiles. Her positive energy is contagious, and she thrives on being part of a team that makes a meaningful impact.
A true food enthusiast, Lisa is always up for trying new dishes that nourish both body and soul, especially when it comes to pastries (there’s always room for those!). When she’s not at the office, she enjoys winding down with movies, TV shows, and quiet moments of relaxation.
Tiffany
Originally from New Jersey, Tiffany has spent nearly a decade in the film, television, and animation industry in Los Angeles (most recently at Netflix) before discovering a new and rewarding path in the dental field in 2024. From the moment she joined Dr. Penhaskashi’s office, she was inspired by the collaborative spirit, patient-centered care, and supportive team environment. As a Practice Relations Coordinator, she enjoys fostering strong connections with patients and referring practices, and helping ensure a smooth, welcoming experience for everyone who walks through the door.
Outside the office, she’s a passionate foodie, enjoys dancing, cozy gaming, thrifting, finding new ways to stay active, and traveling. She’s also a floral designer on the side, always finding joy in creativity and thoughtful details.