Meet the Staff

Marilyn MontoyaMarilyn Montoya—Dental Hygienist Marilyn is a native New Mexican. Attended the University of New Mexico where she earned her degree in Dental Hygiene and is certified in local anesthesia. Marilyn has been a registered Dental Hygienist for 25 years, and has 35 years of Dental experience. Marilyn enjoys volunteer work with Special Olympics and Mission of Mercy New Mexico providing free dental care around the state. Marilyn’s other interest also include running, hiking, skiing and enjoying her family.  

Sandra Madrid TrujilloSandra Madrid Trujillo– The Million Dollar Office Manager This Story is based on the real life journey of Sandra Madrid- Trujillo a dental assistant turned office manager.  A native of Denver Colorado who migrated to the land of enchantment seeking change of scenery and new adventure. Well sort of, her favorite person had settled into a home in the mountains in Cebolla and she was soon to follow. Whom, might you ask, is her favorite person, her mom Lola Walden. She quickly started working at the local hardware store anybody who knows her will tell you anything pertaining to tools or fixing things you can count her in. As the time passed this big city girl was loving the small town environment but was ready to start the next chapter in her life. TVI in Espanola was calling her name she decided to make her career in life as dental assistant. She soon married and was off to promising future as a dental assistant to Dr. Guerette in Los Alamos. Within the first couple of years she became pregnant with her wonderful daughter and due to having to take X rays on patients Dr. Guerette thought it was best she move positions from dental assistant to office manager. She adapted to the move quiet wonderfully and after having her daughter she stayed there nestled comfy cozy at the front desk. After working loyally for Dr. Guerette for twenty years he made the decision to retire and sell the practice to Dr. Montoya. Dr. Montoya not only bought the practice but acquired probably the best office manager who already knew the ropes and was able to train all of the new staff. She loves her job and she absolutely loves her patients, she would do anything to make their office experience personable and comfortable. Everyone knows most people don’t like the dentist, this lady is here to change their minds. I think you can safely say after forty five years in the same office she truly loves her job.  

Maria KnoxMaria Knox -Dental Assistant Raised in a small farming community south of Las Cruces, La Mesa, NM, home to good people who work hard, support their fellow man, and Love, Love, Love their red and green chile. Being raised on a crop farm, mainly cotton, hay, and chile, is where my work ethic, values and appreciation comes from. Everyone had a job no matter how young or old you were. No child labor laws there! Although the value of hard work was ingrained in me, good dental health was not. Going to the dentist for regular checkups was unheard of. With no medical, much less dental insurance one only went to the dentist if you were in dire pain. Did I mention we were hard working and not well to do farmers? Instead of fixing a tooth, (and living so close to the Mexican border) Extractions!!! were the only option sometimes. How did I end working in the dental field? Through the grace of God. I met and married a wonderful man from a middle class family (he had good hygiene and dental insurance growing up). To my dismay he went to the dentist for cleanings and his teeth didn’t even hurt, hmmm. I’m embarrassed to say I did not have a cleaning until I was 21 years old. We had three kids, my husband was hired on to the Lab here in Los Alamos, and our children grew up in the great Los Alamos school system. When our youngest child started school I wanted to work and not pursue the career in Home Ec and Business I had started years ago at NMSU-Go Aggies!, so to finally answer the original question of how I ended up in the dental field, I came in for my regular cleaning appt. at Dr. Montoya’s and Marilyn cleaned my teeth, I asked her how she liked her job and she said she really liked it, I mentioned I might be interested in maybe going to hygiene school, turns out they needed an assistant and they were willing to train me! After-
  • 1 year assisting and training with Dr. Arthur Montoya
  • 1 year assisting for an Oral Surgeon in Tempe Arizona-Dr. Dale Lentz
  • 2 years working for an Orthodontist-Dr. Clendenen
  • 15 years and counting with, again, Dr. Arthur Montoya
here I am, working in a great office, teaching and instructing young and old on the value of good dental hygiene.  Through my own experiences and the continuing education classes I am privileged to attend I continue to grow and learn, and in turn am able to share that with our patients and of course my family on the farm in La Mesa, NM.  

Marcia MartinMarcia Martin –Dental Hygienist Marcia Martin is a native of New Mexico. She graduated from the dental hygiene program at UNM in 1990 and has worked in Albuquerque, Rio Rancho and Los Alamos. She enjoys getting to know her patients and helping them improve their dental hygiene. On her own time she enjoys reading and spending time with her family.  

Anna OrtizAnna Ortiz—Dental Hygienist As a dental hygienist, my patients are of the utmost importance the minute they walk into the office. When visiting the dentist as a young child, I knew helping people was very humbling and rewarding. I’m a graduate of the University of New Mexico with a Bachelors of Science in Dental Hygiene, and will soon be receiving my Masters degree that will be utilized in educating our upcoming hygienist. I’m a die-hard New Mexico Lobo fan (woof! woof!), and a Denver Bronco fan. Living in New Mexico gives me the opportunity to enjoy all the treasures such as camping, skiing, boating, and hiking with my amazing family and friends.  

Cinthia EscarcegaCinthia Escarcega—Dental Assistant Cinthia has been a certified dental assistant for seven years and joined Dr. Montoya’s team in March of 2014. She really enjoys working chairside and helping our patients. She loves spending time with her husband and family.  

Robyn SanchezRobyn Sanchez—Dental Assistant I was born and raised in Northern New Mexico. I received my Dental Assistant Certificate from Pima medical institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I have been working as a Dental Assistant for 5 years and have been working with Dr. Montoya since April 2015. Currently I am taking college courses to pursue my degree in Dental Hygiene. On my spare time I enjoy working out, camping, riding the RzR and running.  

Ann RutherfordAnn Rutherford–Receptionist Ann was raised in a dental home. She worked for her father as an assistant while in high school and college. After college she married Victor and had two children whom she had the privilege of homeschooling. With her children graduating and moving on to college, Ann had the opportunity to join a local dental practice, this time as a receptionist. It felt like coming home. She joined Dr. Art Montoya’s practice in March of 2014. Ann sees herself as a patient advocate. She enjoys helping patients have positive experiences at the dentist: by providing a friendly welcome, helping maximize dental insurance benefits, explaining billing, and scheduling.  

Theresa ColeTheresa Cole—Receptionist and Hygiene Assistant Theresa has worked as a receptionist and a hygiene assistant for the past five and half years. Her duties are scheduling, confirming appointments, and assisting the hygiene team. One of the things that are most important to her is family. Theresa has been Married for sixteen and half years and has four kids (two boys and two girls), and two grand kids. Theresa was born in Albuquerque, NM, and resides in Chimayo, New Mexico, minutes away from the famous church known as El Santuario De Chimayo (An Historic Site).  

Shaylene StephensShaylene Stephens—Front Desk and Hygiene Assistant Shaylene is a great help around the office, she files, cleans, assists the hygienists and keeps us all on track. Interests abound for Shaylene, she loves to travel and has experienced many interesting places while competing for Special Olympics, she also is active in her church and has a great love for her family.