At Downtown Dental, we pride ourselves on the level of dental care we can offer you and your family. This level of care is only possible because of the team we have. From our registered dental hygienists to our certified dental assistants each member of the team is constantly learning new techniques so we can stay at the forefront of dentistry and offer our patients the latest treatments and preventative methods.
Dr. Tyler Mead is a graduate of LeMoyne College, where he received his B.S. in Biology, with a minor in chemistry. While at LeMoyne, he was named to the Beta Beta Beta National Biological Honor Society for excelling in Biology. After college, he obtained his D.D.S. from the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, where he minored in Oral Diagnostic Sciences. In 2007, Tyler won the American Academy of Orofacial Pain Award while at the University Of Buffalo.
In 2008, Tyler completed a one year General Practice Residency at York Hospital in York, PA. Dr. Mead furthered his education and skill in all aspects of general dentistry, while gaining additional training in the placement and restoration of dental implants. Upon completion, he was named Most Outstanding Resident of the Year.
Tyler has been practicing dentistry since 2008 and offers the following services: Fillings, Crown and Bridge, (including implant and Cerec crowns) Veneers, Dentures, Extractions, (including some wisdom teeth), Implant placement, Root Canals, and Pediatric dentistry.
In his senior year (2002), he earned Academic All-American honors in cross-country competing at Van Cortland Park in the Bronx, which is considered the mecca of cross country in the USA. Tyler continues to enjoy running and is co-chair of the Strathmore parks run. He is very active in his local community and has been a member of the Greater Strathmore Neighborhood Association board since 2013.
Coming from an Italian family Tyler really enjoys cooking. All of his family members are excellent cooks and he grew up with an appreciation for good food and finds it relaxing to prepare different types of food for his family.
Dr. Zimmerman is committed to staying current in the ever-changing dental and orthodontic fields. Laser dentistry, Cerec crowns, dental implants, and Invisalign are just a few of the areas that Chris specializes in and that we offer at our practice in Syracuse.
An Upstate New Yorker at heart, Chris graduated from Bishop Grimes High School. He received his BS in Chemistry, Cum Laude at LeMoyne College and completed his doctorate in dentistry at the University of Pennsylvania. He has been in private practice since 1993 in our office located in the Historic University Building in Downtown Syracuse.
In 1989 while a member of the Lemoyne Dolphins baseball team Chris was part of the greatest comeback in Division I NCAA baseball regional tournament history. Down 14 to nothing after six innings and forced to come back the next day to complete the game after a rain delay, he hit the game winning three run homerun in the top of the 12th inning completing the 18-16 miracle comeback. He was inducted into the Class of 2000 Hall of Fame at LeMoyne College for this remarkable performance in Division I Baseball.
Chriss family have always had a strong sporting connection with Syracuse. Chriss father Chuck quarterbacked the SU football team from 1956 to 1958. He played in the Orange and Cotton bowls handing off to arguably the greatest running back in NFL history, Jim Brown.
Tina oversees the day to day operations of the practice as our office manager. She has in-depth knowledge in both managerial and clinical aspects of a dental practice. She received her certificate in Dental Assisting in 1984 at Oswego BOCES. She worked a number of years as a regional practice manager/developer. In 1992, she received her associates degree in Dental Hygiene at Onondaga Community College. She worked a number of years as a Dental Hygienist in general practice and a rehabilitation facility setting. She has specialized training in Practice Management, Patient Financing, Business Systems as well as Insurance Benefits. Her excellent communication skills enable her to explain dental treatment plans that may at first be puzzling to patients. Tina navigates patients through the financial aspects of paying for treatment by optimizing insurance benefits and creating viable payment plans if needed. She joined our staff in 1998.
Tina is one of the most versatile employees a dental office could have. In addition to years of front desk experience, she has been a registered hygienist for over 20 years. Although her duties are mainly at the front desk, her commitment to continuing education is unmatched. Tina has a great interest in educating patients on periodontal disease and how it relates to, affects and is effected by general health issues. Other interests in hygiene include prevention and early intervention along with patient education. Lastly, she is a certified dental assistant and is highly capable in assisting Chris or Tyler with any procedures they may be performing.
Becki has been a practicing dental hygienist for over 35 years. She earned her associates degree in Dental Hygiene at Onondaga Community College. She has work in general practice throughout her career. Becki states that she grew up in the State Tower Building working for Dr. Letizia for 20 years. She was able to continue working in the downtown environment when she joined our staff in 2004. Having worked for a few solo practices, Becki now enjoys having so many co-workers in this growing group practice.
Paula has been a practicing dental hygienist for over 30 years. She earned her associates degree in Dental Hygiene at Erie Community College and her bachelors degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing at Columbia College. She graduated cum laude. She is also is certified in Dental Hygiene Local Infiltration Anesthesia. This is utilized as pain management during nonsurgical periodontal therapy. Paula also took advanced training in laser periodontal therapy.
She has worked in a variety of practice settings that include: Orthodontics, Dental Public Health, Hospital Dental Clinic Administration, Nursing Home Dental Coordination and Clinician, and General Practice. She joined our staff in 2007. Currently, she is an adjunct instructor of Dental Hygiene at SUNY Canton (Rome Site). She instructs Dental Materials, Dental Public Health, Anatomy of the Head and Neck, and Pre-Clinic. Paula is a member of the American Dental Hygienists Association, the Dental Hygienists Association of New York, the Central New York Dental Hygienists Association, and the New York State Public Health Association.
Has her B.S. in Biology from LeMoyne and then continued her education at Hudson Valley for her hygiene degree. She has been in the dental field for 6 years. If she isnt working she is probably reading or eating.
Reyna received her certification in Dental Assisting from OCM BOCES in 2008 and joined our staff immediately upon graduation. Reyna is also CEREC-certified in Staining and Glazing. Reyna is the third of 9 children and enjoys Sunday family dinners eating authentic Spanish food. She resides in Syracuse with her family.
