Our Staff

The brief descriptions below are designed to familiarize you with our staff's training, professional credentials and work experience.

 

Connie Schwarting -RDH, Registered Dental Hygienist / Office Manager

Connie, wife and mother to the Schwarting doctor's is yet another family member in the dental field. Connie began her career in dental hygiene after graduating from Marquette University in 1968. She now takes on the responsibility of office manager with the added bonus of years of academic training in the dental field.






Leslie Hayne - Receptionist

Leslie, although not a blood relative, has been at Del Rey Dental since 1979. She attended countless continuing education courses to help assist all our patients with questions they might have. If you have a question just ask Leslie.



 



Laura Balladares - RDH, Registered Dental Hygienist

Laura graduated from West L.A. College in Hygiene in 2003. She has worked in multiple VA Hospitals, LA Free Clinic, Children's Dental Clinic, UCLA Clinics, and Cedar Sinai Hospital. She has been at Del Rey Dental since graduating in 2003. She is bilingual in Spanish and English.


 

 


Maria Garcia - RDH, Registered Dental Hygienist

Maria graduated from Cerritos College in 2004. She has worked at multiple VA Hospitals, UCLA, and various county clinics. She has worked at Del Rey Dental since 2004 and is bilingual in Spanish and English.







Janet Myers RDH - RDH, Registered Dental Hygienist

Janet graduated from Cerritos College in 2007. She became interested in dental hygiene while looking for a career change into the healthcare field and learned that good oral health can be linked to good total health. Janet has worked at VA hospitals, county clinics, and the Children's Dental Clinic. Her personal interests are biking, sailing, and knitting.



 

Darlene Griffin- RDH, Registered Dental Hygientist

Darlene joined Del Rey Dental shortly after graduating from USC School of hygiene in 2010.  Part of the curriculum includes working at the Union Rescue Mission in downtown, children’s clinics and various other mobile clinics around Los Angeles.  Volunteerism is important to Darlene and she enjoys outreach especially with the pediatric population.  She is a big football fan and is a loyal Trojan!!

 

 

 

Maria Cavaiani- Appointment Coordinator / Dental Assistant

Maria, a seasoned sales person decided to pursue a career in the dental field, she graduated from the Southern California Regional Occupation Center in October 2009.  She completed her internship with us at Del Rey Dental and started working shortly thereafter.  Maria's outgoing personality not only allows her the opportunity to work with patients chairside, but also is a great asset for the business side of the dental office. Her main function is keeping our patients current with their dental appointments. If you haven't met Maria already you will because if you're due she will let you know!

 

 

Nancy Espinoza- Dental Assistant

The youngest member of our dental team started working at Del Rey Dental in August 2010 after completing her dental assisting training at Southern California Regional Occupational Center.  Nancy's hard working, dedicated and outgoing personality make her wise beyond her years.  She is an asset to our dental team and you will enjoy working with her! Nancy is bilingual in Spanish and English and even knows a small amount of sign language!

 

 

 

Lorena Salazar- Dental Assistant

Lorena is our newest Dental Assistant and started working in January 2011.  She also graduated from Southern California Regional Occupation Center with a certificate in Dental Assisting.  Lorena has two young nephews who she loves to death and it shows in how she softly communicates with all our young patients. Lorena is bilingual in Spanish and English.

 

 

 

Melissa Palmieri- Intern/ Dental Assistant

Melissa was introduced to my Dad and I from one of our patients at our open house for the elevator.  She was then a student at LMU and interested in pursuing a career as a dentist.  Through her own self motivation and through a program at LMU she has interned at our office, worked with our patients, recieved an x-ray liscense and interned with other specialists around the area.  We are happy to have Melissa learn about the dental field and also be an advocate and support staff for our patients. We wish her well as she goes on to dental school!