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Dr. Tanya Sue Maestas graduated from The University of Texas School of Dentistry at Houston in 2018.
During her dental school career, she served as the national American Student Dental Association President and became involved in organized dentistry.
After graduating, she completed an Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency in 2019. Upon completion of her residency, she returned to the El Paso Borderland community where she serves as a Dental Director at La Clinica de Familia in Chaparral, New Mexico.
She also serves as a faculty member at the Woody L Hunt School of Dental Medicine in El Paso, Texas.
She remains involved in organized dentistry and holds various leadership roles in organizations including the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, Texas Academy of General Dentistry, Hispanic Dental Association, and others.
She currently serves on the ADA Council on Communications and previously completed the ADA Institute for Diversity in Leadership Program.
She was recognized as an ADA 10 under 10 winner, Incisal Edge 40 under 40, and previously nominated as one of Texas New Dentists of the Year.
She currently hosts New Dentists on the Block where she helps showcase the New Dentist story and build connections with new dentists around her and Dental Fuel a podcast dedicated to sharing and learning from industry leaders’ mistakes.
She has a commitment to providing dental care to the Borderland community and hopes to encourage the next generation of dentists to give back to the community.
Embracing Growth Through Mistakes: Lessons from Dr. David Rice
Host: Dr. Tanya Sue MaestasGuest: Dr. David RiceEdited By: Candy Velez CRDH In the world of dentistry,…
Navigating Dental Excellence with Jonathan Miller
Interviewer: Tanya Sue Maestas, DDSInterviewee: Jonathan MillerEdited By: Candy Velez – CRDH, BSDH Welcome back to Dental…
Mastering Dental Practice Financing with Jonathan Miller
Interviewer: Tanya Sue Maestas, DDSInterviewee: Jonathan MillerEdited By: Candy Velez – CRDH, BSDH Welcome back to Dental…
Dental Practice Ownership: Critical Mistakes New Dentists Make with Jonathan Miller
Interviewer: Tanya Sue Maestas, DDSInterviewee: Jonathan MillerEdited By: Candy Velez – CRDH, BSDH In this article, Jonathan Miller…
Dental Startups vs. Practice Acquisition: Making the Right Decision
Interviewer: Tanya Sue Maestas, DDSInterviewee: Jonathan MillerEdited By: Candy Velez – CRDH, BSDH As a dental professional,…
Dental Fuel Episode 12: Expert Advice with Dr. Shannon Johnson
In Dental Fuel Episode 12, Dr. Shannon Johnson wraps up our last episode with her by providing…
Dental Fuel Episode 11: Team Mistake with Dr. Shannon Johnson
Working in teams can be tough! Shannon Johnson knows the ins and outs of working in a…
Dental Fuel Episode 10: Financial Mistake with Dr. Shannon Johnson
Dr. Shannon Johnson has wisdom in dentistry and experience in the field. She knows firsthand about financial…
Dental Fuel Episode 9: Clinical Mistake with Dr. Shannon Johnson
Shannon Johnson is in the HOUSE, bringing the DENTAL heat!! A true ROCKSTAR in the dental world…
Dental Fuel Episode 8: Expert Advice with Dr. Emma Guzman-Vizcarrondo
Dr. Guzman closes out our series with us by offering some advice to our listeners! Dr. Emma…
The Tip Of The Iceberg
By: Eric Recker You get that call. Again. Lately, it feels like it’s every week. Your hygienist isn’t coming in because of a migraine, a sick kid, another illness, a family emergency, a last-minute appointment they forgot to tell you about, or some other vague reason. You look at your schedule and realize you have…
How Dentistry Affects the People You Love: Part 3
The Guilt Dental Professionals Feel Toward Their Partners and Families By: Dr. Sable Muntean Guilt is a common, yet often unspoken, challenge for dental professionals. It creeps in when you miss family events, work long hours, or feel emotionally unavailable at home. Over time, this guilt can quietly affect your mental health and strain your…
Oral Appliance Therapy for Sleep-Disordered Breathing
By: Mark T. Murphy, DDS This article originally appeared on PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Murphy granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Dentists are in a unique position to recognize the critical role sleep plays in systemic health. Research has confirmed that untreated sleep apnea significantly increases the risk of: With more consumer wearables tracking sleep…
Top 5 Mistakes New Dentists Make When Buying Their First Practice & How to Avoid Them
By: Dr. David Rice Buying your first dental practice is one of the most exciting — and daunting — decisions you’ll ever make. When you do it right, it’s your launchpad to fulfillment, wealth, and a self-determined future. When you do it wrong, it can trap you in stress, burnout, and financial struggle. As we…
How Dentistry Affects the People You Love: Part 2
Why Dental Professionals Struggle With Emotional Availability By: Dr. Sable Muntean After a long day at the office, it’s natural to feel drained. But when fatigue becomes emotional distance, relationships begin to suffer. Emotional availability—the ability to be fully present and engaged with the people you love—is critical for maintaining strong connections, yet it’s often…
The Year-End Bonus Headache No One Warned You About
By: Garrett Wilson As we head into the start of 2026, it’s worth reflecting on what happened in 2025 so we don’t repeat the same mistakes. Few topics created more tension at year-end than bonuses and holiday gifts. If you spend any time in dental social media groups, you saw it firsthand—frustration from employees and…
Beautiful Smile Design Case using a Fully Digital Workflow
By: John C. Cranham, DDS This topic originally appeared on Pankey.org. Dr. Cranham granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. My professional journey in dentistry has been deeply influenced by my time in the Pankey Institute and other continuing education courses. My early career focused on integrating cosmetic digital dentistry with sound occlusal concepts….
Want Better Results? Make It Easier
Remove Friction – Unlock Consistency By: Candy Velez, CRDH, BSDH, IgniteDDS Dental Hygiene Coach The Question That Changes Everything How Are We Making It Easy? Most dental teams want to do excellent work. They want to accurately diagnose, thoroughly document, and provide care that truly supports long-term health. Yet despite good intentions, consistency often slips….
How Dentistry Affects the People You Love: Part 1
How Dentistry Quietly Changes Your Relationships By: Dr. Sable Muntean Dentistry is a deeply rewarding profession. Every day, you transform smiles, ease pain, and build trust with your patients. But behind the satisfaction lies a hidden cost—your personal relationships. If you’ve ever felt tension at home after a long day, noticed that your partner seems…
Busy ≠Profitable: The February Reality Check Every Practice Owner Needs
By: Dr. David Rice While January often feels like a fresh start – schedules filling fast – production firing on all cylinders – and that sense that this is the year everything finally clicks … Like our diet and gym new year’s resolutions – February arrives and … The practice is still busy, but stress…




