Jessica Zambrana

Title: Assistant Manager
Department: Management

Areas of Responsibility: General oversight of the office, accounts receivable, Insurance troubleshooting, scheduling

Graduating in 2005 with a certificate in Phlebotomy from Erwin Technical, Jessica is also a Licensed Dental Radiologist Technician. She is also trained in Universal First Aid, adult and pediatric CPR, standard precautions HIV blood borne pathogen standard, and domestic violence.

Jessica has completed her Insurance Dental Coding Seminar and is currently attending Hillsborough Community College. She has taken many hours of continuing education about dental implants at the Implant World Congress.

Jessica believes implants "give patients confidence a sense of security when in a personal and or business setting".

Jessica is a loyal and proud employee of Dr. Ruiz since 2003. Her interests are going to the movies, music and dancing. She enjoys fast paced work environments and loves working with people.

Contact: Jessica-Z@verizon.net

Brittani L. Heard

Title: Practice Coordinator
Department: Management

Areas of Responsibility: Patient treatment coordinator, insurance, scheduling and light clinical assisting. 

Born in Baton Rouge, LA, Brittani has over ten years of experience in both periodontal and general/cosmetic dentistry. She received the Presidential award for Academic excellence in 1999, and is OSHA and CPR certified. She is currently enrolled at the Hillsborough Community College pursuing a degree in Medical Sonography.

Brittani graduated from Gather High School in 1999, started working in the dental field at age sixteen, and has attended many courses in implant dentistry at the Implant World Congress in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Brittani feels that "dental implants are an important service our practice provides because they restore form and function as well as confidence to our patients".

Brittani has been a very valuable employee of Dr. Ruiz since he opened his private practice in 1998. Following a three-year stint in Alaska, where she worked in a cosmetic dentistry practice, she returned to Tampa and rejoined Dr. Ruiz's practice. She enjoys reading, gardening, golf, reality TV and traveling..

Contact: Brittani-H@verizon.net

Susanne Smith, RDH, CDA

Title: Registered Dental Hygienist
Department: Clinic, Oral Hygiene and Disease Prevention

Areas of Responsibility: Management of the Hygiene Department, patient recall and oral hygiene instructor.

Susanne has been in dentistry for more than 30 years. She graduated as a Certified Dental Assistant in 1975 from Saint Petersburg Junior College. She received her degree as a Registered Dental Hygienist, with high honors, in 1985 from the same institution. Susanne has ample experience in periodontics, implant and restorative dentistry with more than 22 years of experience in dental hygiene.

Susanne has assisted to many continuing education seminars during her professional career. She has taken an Advanced Course in Scaling and Root Planing at the University of Florida Dental School in 1987, a Nobel Biocare Dental Implant Hygiene Certification In Boca Raton, Florida, in 2004, and a continuing education certificate in dental implants and oral hygiene at the Implant World Congress, in Las Vegas, in 2005.

Susanne has been a dedicated employee of Dr. Ruiz's office since its inception in 1998. She is an excellent Hygienist with many patients who are extremely loyal to her. Susanne enjoys gardening, swimming and biking.

Susanne feels that "dental implants enhance the whole wellbeing because they restore the smile and function as well as confidence to our patients".

Greg Disla

Title: Head Surgical Assistant
Department: Clinic

Areas of Responsibility: Assisting, supervising clinic, ordering, sterilization

Greg is a licensed Massage Therapist and a Phlebotomist; an Oral Radiology Technician, and a Nobel Biocare Certified Dental Assistant in Implantology. He got his Implant Dental Assistant certificate in Boca Raton, Florida in 2004, and continuing education certificates in dental implants at the Implant World Congress, in Las Vegas, in 2002 and 2005. Greg also has an A.A. degree and is currently pursuing a degree in Nursing at the Hillsborough Community College here in Tampa. He has more than three years experience as a surgical assistant in periodontics and implantology.

Greg is a down to earth guy who is always starving for knowledge. Personal interests include J.K.D. Martial Arts.

About dental implants, Greg thinks "implants are just as important as replacing a missing limb. It is like having your natural teeth back."

Contact: Greg-D@verizon.net