Bridget Burris, DDSDr. Burris graduated from Baylor University College of Dentistry with her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1985, and then began practicing general dentistry in Las Cruces. Prior to receiving her degree in dentistry, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from New Mexico State University in 1981. During that time she was also a graduate research assistant at Los Alamos National Laboratory. She has undergone extensive postgraduate training and has completed study at The Dawson Academy, The Pankey Institute for Advanced Dental Education, and Spear Education. Dr. Burris takes a special interest in cosmetic dentistry and restorative dentistry and uses modern tools and techniques to create life-changing smiles.
Her professional memberships include the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, New Mexico Dental Association, South West District Dental Society, Spear Faculty Club, and the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation. She has completed her fellowship with the Misch Institute of Implantology. In February of 2012, Dr. Burris earned Diplomate status with the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. The awarding of Diplomate status is the highest honor a professional society such as the ICOI can bestow on a dental professional involved in oral implantology. She is also certified in Laser Dentistry by the Academy of Laser Dentistry. Dr. Burris is a visiting faculty member for the Scottsdale Center for Dentistry and Spear Education. She also has gained fellowship status with The Institute for Advanced Laser Dentistry.
For the past 23 years, Dr. Burris has volunteered her time to the El Paso Zoo, performing dentistry for the animals. She also volunteers in Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico on medical and dental mission trips, as well as volunteering locally at the New Mexico Mission of Mercy. She also supports her local community through involvement with local youth, FFA, 4-H, and Las Cruces Rotary. In her spare time, Dr. Burris enjoys scuba diving, beading, and spending time with her two children and pets.
Our team was carefully selected for their friendly qualities as well as the top-notch services they provide. We know you will appreciate their warmth as they help in providing high-quality dental care.
Regina Benjamin Office Manager Regina is our office manager, and with 37 years of accounting and management experience is a great addition to our practice. She attended WNMU in Silver City and the School of Accountancy in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Regina brings a positive attitude to the practice and believes that motivation and a dedicated work ethic are essential. Regina has been married to her husband, Tommy, for 39 years. They have a daughter and son who live in Las Cruces with their spouses and all of their wonderful grandchildren, who bring so much joy into their lives.
Dawn JacksonPatient Treatment Specialist Dawn began her dental assisting career in 1980 and joined our team in 1988, and has faithfully been Dr. Burris's right hand! Her certifications include CEREC, dental sedation, cosmetic dentistry, reconstructive and rehabilitative dentistry, sleep apnea appliances, and biometrics in support of TMJ dysfunction. She's also a member of the Association of Dental Implant Auxiliaries. Dawn values our modern technology and advanced treatments and our team's commitment to quality. She is especially knowledgeable in computer programs in the dental field, and is mostly in charge of that aspect of the office as well as her many other duties as head assistant. For many years now she has volunteered in a very different aspect of dentistry. Ask her about her very first time assisting Dr. Burris in a surgical suite at the El Paso Zoo! Dawn has been married to her husband, Mike, since 1983. They have one son, who is the light of her life. Away from the office, Dawn reads, knits, has held several positions in her church, and is a loving, committed wife and mother. She likes to refer to many of her patients as extended family and is always happy to see them as they return for their dental visits!
Margie Hamelink Patient Treatment Specialist & Patient Care CoordinatorA member of our team since 2006, Margie brings with her over 30 years of experience in dentistry. She loves working with patients whether in the operatory as an assistant or greeting patients as a receptionist. She is cross-trained in both areas, speaks fluent Spanish and a little German, and is happy to interpret when needed. She has completed extensive training and has certifications in CEREC, sleep medicine, sleep apnea oral appliance therapy, biometrics to treat TMJ pain, cosmetic dentistry, advanced cardiac life support, and radiology. Margie is also a member of the Association of Dental Implant Auxiliaries. She likes our high-tech, progressive practice, and she loves seeing patients achieve beautiful, healthy smiles. Margie has traveled with Dr. Burris to Honduras and Guatemala, assisting in medical/dental mission trips through the Open Wide Foundation and also volunteers her spare time alongside Dr. Burris assisting at the El Paso Zoo, restoring or extracting big teeth on 'lions, tigers and bears, OH MY!' Margie has three sons and a daughter. She and her husband, Ron, enjoy winter skiing, hiking, and camping. She also enjoys making jewelry, reading, knitting, crocheting, and spending time with her eight grandchildren.
Daisy Torres Patient Care Administrator Daisy, now working at the front desk as a patient care administrator, brings over five years of experience as a dental assistant. She obtained her dental assisting degree from Dona Ana Branch Community College in 2004. Because Daisy possesses 'that compassionate, caring, touch' and likes helping people, she appreciates that our work environment and leading-edge technology enable her to give the best of care to all patients. Daisy is certified in CEREC, dental sedation, cosmetic dentistry, sleep apnea appliances, biometrics in support of TMJ dysfunction, advanced cardiac life support, and auxiliary implantology. She speaks fluent Spanish, another plus, as she treats our bilingual patients! Daisy likes to cook (not bake!) and spend time with her daughter and son.
Maggie Knapp Treatment Coordinator A recent east coast transplant, Maggie is a National Board Qualified Dental Assistant who brings with her over 30 years of experience in the dental field. Her background includes periodontics, children 's dentistry, oral and facial pain, and general dentistry. She also taught 'The Essentials of Dental Assisting' at Montgomery College in Maryland and is a certified radiology technologist in three states, including New Mexico. Maggie loves getting to know her patients and thoroughly enjoys her visits with them. She and her husband moved to Las Cruces to be closer to their children and four grandchildren who live in the southwest. Another plus to living in this area is being able to hike and bike year round, something Maggie could not do back east. She is an avid reader and enjoys sewing in her free time.
Susanna Sexauer Dental Hygienist Susanna has experience both working in the dental hygiene industry as well as instructing future dental assistants in Santa Fe, NM. She received her Associate's degree in Dental Hygiene from New Mexico State University and her Bachelor's degree in Dental Hygiene from the University of New Mexico. She not only brings a love of her job to work every day, but she also has a personality that makes everyone around her happier. She enjoys spending her free time with her husband Josh, who is currently finishing his PhD in Industrial Engineering, and their wonderful new baby girl, Avery Mae.
Arianna Sanchez Dental Assistant Arianna joined our team in 2016. She graduated from Las Cruces High School and started taking dental assistant classes in El Paso, TX. She is DANB certified and New Mexico-licensed. Her own dental anxiety was what drove her to want to work in this field to do her best at making every patients visits more comfortable and pleasant. In her spare time, she helps out with running her parents restaurant and also works their food truck on the weekends at the local farmers and crafts market. When not busy working, she spends her time with family and caring for her four fur buddies.
Kari Camp Dental Assistant Kari started working for Dr. Burris in 2017, with 21 years of dental experience. She had her assistant training in Abilene, TX, and is CDA-certified through DANB and New Mexico-licensed. Although a licensed assistant, she also has many years of experience in scheduling, management, insurance, and training of employees. She enjoys working with patients and helping with their dental needs. Kari has lived in New Mexico for 19 years and is glad to call it home. Outside of work she enjoys quality time with her teenage daughter and also a number of sports activities.