Rochelle Riley, DDS, MS Dr. Rochelle Riley grew up in Tucson and graduated from the University of Arizona with both a Bachelor of Science in the field of general biology and a Master of Science in the field of human physiology. She then completed her professional education at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in 2006, where she received the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery.
Having been in the Air Force for over five years, Dr. Riley was the chief of dental services for the 162nd Wing Arizona Air National Guard. She is a certified Invisalign aligners provider with Align Technology, ClearCorrect and Six Month Smiles for invisible braces. She has extensive post-graduate education in the surgical placement of implants, endodontics, temporomandibular disorders and sleep breathing disorders. She is a member in good standing with the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain and practices with an emphasis in neuromuscular dentistry. She is also a certified provider for the Chao Pinhole Technique to help restore receded gums to a more youthful and natural position. She holds a current dental license in both Arizona and Washington state.
Dr. Riley is married with two stepchildren and six fur babies. She enjoys riding motorcycles with her husband, working out, boating and walking her dogs. She loves to serve her country, spend time with her family and travel. She is known for her hard work, dedication, enthusiasm and eye for aesthetics. She is a general dentist with a cosmetic flare!
Rick Light, DDS DABCP DAIPM DABCDSM Dr. Light, originally from Belleville, Illinois, is a Vietnam-era veteran with the United States Navy. In addition to military operations, Dr. Light participated in military-civilian communication recovery operations with the Columbia Broadcasting Company (CBS) aboard the USS New Orleans, the United States Navys Primary Recovery Vessel for the Lunar Module of NASAs Apollo 14 mission to the moon.
Dr. Light received his undergraduate Bachelor of Arts in chemistry from the School of Science & Technology at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville. This was followed by a year of post-graduate studies at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. His professional education at the College of Dentistry includes a Bachelor of Science in dentistry from the University of Illinois (Medical Center) and a Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) at the University of Illinois (Health Sciences Center), Chicago.
Dr. Light continues his post-graduate education in the field of temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD), craniofacial pain (head, neck and facial pains) and pain management, as well as sleep breathing disorders (snoring and obstructive sleep apneas). The American Academy of Pain Management (AAPM), a credentialing academy in the field of medicine and dealing with pain management protocols, credentialed Dr. Light in 1996. The American Board of Craniofacial Pain (ABCP), the premier in the field of TMD and dental sleep medicine, board certified Dr. Light in 2008, and in 2012, the board appointed him a member of its governing board of directors.
Dr. Light has co-authored publications dealing with radiographic interpretations of dentally related conditions for radiologists (MDs) and dentistrys contribution to medicine in obstructive sleep apnea patients. He is a Master of Excellence and Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Craniofacial Pain (AACP) as well as a fellow of the International College of Cranio-Mandibular Orthopedics (ICCMO). His practice is focused primarily on pain and pain management associated with TM disorders and craniofacial pain, and on snoring and assessed obstructive sleep apnea with physicians through the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). Dr. Light serves southern Arizona as the only credentialed doctor in the fields of medicine and dentistry treating TMD, craniofacial pain and sleep breathing disorders.
About Our Dental Team At Northwest Dental Medicine, your best interest is our only interest. We do this because our dentists and team are committed to treating you like family. When you meet with Dr. Rochelle Riley or Dr. Rick Light, you will be treated to the highest level of comfort and care because we believe that dentistry should be a positive and enjoyable experience. We are a general dental practice, but we treat each case with a cosmetic flair so that you can leave our office smiling confidently. If you have any questions before coming to our dental office in Puyallup, Washington, call 253-845-9507 to speak with a member of our team.
Destinee Clinical Manager Destinee has been working with Northwest Dental Medicine for over five years and is our lead dental assistant. She is from Tucson, Arizona, and moved to Washington in 2016. She loves living here with all of the green trees and endless hiking opportunities. In her free time, Destinee enjoys spending time outdoors, hiking, camping and barbequing at the lake. She loves spending time with family and friends and enjoys trying new restaurants and different types of food.
Julia Insurance Coordinator Julia was born and raised in Manat, Puerto Rico. She recently moved to Washington and joined our practice. She has been a dental assistant since 2018 and is also bilingual. In her spare time, she likes to go sight-seeing, hiking, trying new food and finding all the beautiful things Washington state has to offer.
Myra Dental Hygienist Myra has been part of the Northwest Dental Medicine family since March of 2016. She started in the dental field in March of 1974 in the US Army. Myra is married with three children and seven grandchildren. She enjoys family time, camping, hiking, country dancing, gardening and trains. Although she has lived in many places, the Washington native keeps coming home to our beautiful state.
Nicole Front Office Administration Nicole was born and raised in Puyallup and has seen this great area grow and change through the years. Nicole started her career as a dental assistant in 2003, and within the last five years, she has transitioned into dental administration and billing. She initially started with Northwest Dental Medicine in 2015. When she is not here helping our patients, she spends her time with her husband and two daughters.
Sam Dental Assistant Sam joined Northwest Dental Medicine in 2020 and has always had passion for the dental field. Sam achieved her certification with Olympia Dental Assisting School and moved to Puyallup to continue her career and education, with sites on becoming a dentist herself! Outside of work, Sam enjoys the beautiful Pacific Northwest, spending time with her family and always loving on her two cats!
