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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…
3 Ways to Invest in Your Dental Assistant
By: Ronda Holman What Dentists Can Learn from Chef Tina in The Bear In the TV series The Bear, one of the most compelling character arcs belongs to Chef Tina, played by Liza Colón-Zayas. Tina begins the series as a seasoned line cook who is resistant to change, doing things the way they’ve always been…
Unraveling the Etiology of Worn Teeth
By: Lee Ann Brady, DMDThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Brady granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. The origin of a patient’s worn teeth may be deceiving. Is it physiological or pathological? This minor difference could spell major consequences for the lifetime oral health of your patients. We care about understanding…
Congratulations on Hiring a Dental Associate! Here’s What to Know About Insurance & Credentialing
By: Angela Holland Hiring a dental associate is an exciting milestone for your practice! As your practice grows, it’s essential to keep several key insurance-related aspects in mind to ensure smooth operations. One of the most important points to remember is that all claims where the associate is the rendering provider must reflect their credentials….
Sealants in Pediatric Dentistry: High‑Yield Guide for Dental Students
Sealants are one of the simplest yet most powerful tools you’ll use to prevent caries in kids. When placed correctly at the right time, they can protect a tooth for years. This guide breaks down when and how to place sealants with confidence—and why timing matters. When Should You Place a Sealant? Ideal Teeth: Key…
The Dreaded Transfer Request (Part 1)
By: Dr. Eric Recker It’s a normal Tuesday, or as normal as they get in our world. You got some dentistry done, maybe a couple of crown preps, some restorative, a load of hygiene checks, a new patient exam or two. You are almost to lunch and feeling reasonably good about yourself. Day is half…
The Reason I Write Treatment Letters to Each Patient
By: Laura Harkin, DMDThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Harkin granted igniteDDS permission to share with our readers. Trust is the cornerstone of dental care. It’s something I learned early on, sitting at my dad’s favorite lunch spot when he shared a profound observation: “Laura, isn’t it amazing? Our patients trust us so much….
The Four Areas of Wealth Accumulation for Dentists
By: Dr. James Pitts Most people think of retirement planning or wealth accumulation as a “nest egg.” It is a common misconception that wealth is built in one pile. The reality of Dentists is more complicated. Typically, Dentists build their wealth in four different buckets. 1. Qualified Retirement Plan Savings The first bucket is qualified…
Dentistry and Spike Lee: “Do the Right Thing”
By: Mitchell Rubinstein D.M.D. I recently found myself channel surfing late at night, and I got sucked into a remote-drop favorite from the late ‘80s, Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing. The movie is both comedic and tragic, as the title alludes to a bit of advice offered to the protagonist early in the film:…
Navigating Tooth Decay Conversations with Geriatric Patients
By: Lee Ann Brady, DMDThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Brady granted igniteDDS permission to share with our readers. Have you ever noticed a confused look on the face of a geriatric patient when you tell them they have tooth decay? Many people falsely assume that only small children develop cavities. When I let older…
What Many Dentists Do Not Know About Insurance Credentialing as a First Time Owner
By: Angela Holland I’d imagine starting a dental practice is a thrilling experience, whether you’re acquiring an existing practice, opening a startup, or starting as an associate at an established location. One of the most critical aspects of growing and sustaining your practice, especially in the early stages, is revenue management and if you’re accepting…




