Beautiful Smiles, One Patient at a Time
As an orthodontist, I’m both a dentist and a healthcare provider. I’m also an educator and a part of each patient’s family as we work together to achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.
I love building relationships with my patients and their families. It’s a joy to get to know each patient and watch him or her transform from nervous and uncertain to confident and excited about the future with a beautiful, healthy smile. As a seventh-generation New Mexican, I’m proud to be helping my community in this way.
I became a dentist in 2006 and completed my orthodontic training and master's degree in 2009. Dentistry runs in my family; my mom is a dental hygienist, my dad is a dentist, my uncle is a dentist, and I have several cousins who are dentists, too!
I was particularly drawn to the combination of medicine, science, and art in orthodontics. While patients might be excited about improving the appearance of their smile, I want to improve their health, longevity, and oral function, too.
My Team
I’m extremely proud of my team. They are knowledgeable, experienced, and professional. They’re also warm and personable. We take our work seriously and strive to deliver the highest quality care to our patients. At the same time, we don’t take ourselves too seriously. We have a ton of fun with our patients and our office is filled with laughter and smiles.
Education and Continuing Education
- St. Pius X High School, Salutatorian
- Bachelor of Arts in History of Science, Magna cum Laude, Harvard University
- Doctorate of Dental Surgery, Summa cum Laude, University of California Los Angeles School of Dentistry, inducted into the Alpha Omega and Omicron Kappa Upsilon dental honor societies
- Master of Science and Certificate in Orthodontics, The Ohio State University School of Dentistry
I love to learn and being an orthodontist allows me plenty of opportunities to do so. I have a particular passion for diagnosis, oral pathology, and skeletal and dental anomalies. Many of these require specialized interdisciplinary treatment, and I work with many dental and medical professionals to help our patients.
In order to stay on the leading edge of my profession, I regularly take courses on new techniques, materials, and technologies. I’ve completed many continuing education courses in dental materials, oral and craniofacial surgery, advanced orthodontic techniques, technology, oral medicine, and treatment of complex interdisciplinary cases. I’m always looking for new ways to better serve my patients.
Professional Memberships
- American Association of Orthodontists
- American Dental Association
- Rocky Mountain Society of Orthodontists
- New Mexico Association of Orthodontists
- New Mexico Dental Association
- Albuquerque District Dental Society
- The Ohio State University Orthodontic Alumni Foundation
- The University of New Mexico Cleft and Craniofacial Team
- American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association
Giving Back
I volunteer as an orthodontist and dental consultant for the University of New Mexico Cleft and Craniofacial Team. New Mexico has one of the highest incidences of cleft lip and cleft palate in the nation; I feel uniquely qualified to serve my home state as a cleft palate orthodontist. I specialize in complex interdisciplinary care and treatment of dentofacial deformities and craniofacial syndromes.
Personal Life
I grew up in Albuquerque and I love being a part of our incredible community. My husband Dave Ivey and I met in high school orchestra at St. Pius X High School in 1994. We were married in 2008 and have two beautiful children, Elyse and David.
Dave plays fiddle, mandolin, and does vocals for The Saltine Ramblers, a local band. He also happens to be our office manager, receptionist, financial coordinator, scheduling master, greeter, bouncer, heavy lifter, DJ, and window washer! On the weekends, our family loves getting outdoors, especially for backpacking and camping trips, fly-fishing, hiking, and exploring.
