Meet the Staff

 
 

Financial and Treatment Coordinator:

 
 

Jennifer Cabrera, our Financial and Insurance Coordinator is originally from the Rose City, Tyler TX, where she lived for thirty nine years. Jennifer will help you with treatment appointments, financial and insurance information.  In 2011, she was blessed to marry her high school sweetheart after being apart for twenty-five years, which is what brought her to the Dallas area.  Between the two of them they have three beautiful children. Jennifer has worked in the health industry for over twenty years, and thirteen of those being in the dental field. She enjoys working in an industry where she is able to meet lots of people and develop relationships with them, and looks forward to all the patients she will get to meet in this practice.  

 
 

New Patient and Hygiene Coordinator:

 
Alyssa Griffith has been in the pharmacy field for over 15 years and is excited for a career change and join our team! Alyssa loves the opportunity to meet new people every day and build relationships for a lifetime.  She has an unwavering commitment to give each patient the greatest experience at every visit.  Alyssa lives in McKinney with her husband of 30 years and has 2 grown sons.  She enjoys spending time gardening and reading. 
 
 

Surgical Assistants:

 
 

Melinda Teran, RDA, has been helping provide excellent care to her patients since 2008 and is committed to making their experience pleasant and comfortable. Melinda resides in Frisco, has two wonderful children and loves to read in her spare time.

 
 
Shanna Foster, RDA

Shanna Foster, RDA, and her dynamic personality make her a perfect fit in our office.  Shanna’s caring nature led her to dental assisting in 2013, and then to her new dental home….our office!  Shanna helps in all areas of the office, from helping learn more about your insurance coverage to assisting Dr. Bender.    Shanna is married to a FANTASTIC husband and has two children.  She loves traveling anywhere to watch on her daughter’s softball games.  In any spare time, she loves reading, too!

 
 

Hygienist:

 

Tere Neary, RDH, will work closely with Dr. Bender in maintaining your periodontal health.  She will clean your teeth and help you with oral hygiene techniques to maximize your oral health.

Tere, a Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH), brings 25 years of experience to help you maintain your periodontal health.  Tere is a 1994 Baylor College of Dentistry Hygiene graduate.  She is married and has twin boys which keep her always on the go!  She is a HUGE animal lover and has a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Courtney  

 
 
 

Director of Practice Relations:

 
 
 

Carolina de Vinasco is our social media expert and visits our referring doctor offices to make sure they have everything they need to maximize patient care.  Carolina, a proud Texas transplant, was born in sunny southern California.  Though she misses the beach and warm weather year round, she has grown to truly love Texas!  As a people person, Carolina loves to get to know our patients and their families, referring doctors and their team, as well as managing our social media and events throughout the year.  In her spare time, Carolina enjoys spending time with her family, husband and Persian kitty, Hazel.  

 Meet the staff at Bender Periodontics

Courtney Burton and Joy Kirkpatrick work outside of our office, maintaining relationships with your general dentist or referring doctors.  They may pick up or deliver information, supplies or lab work between our office and other dental offices.