Our team is dedicated to understanding the needs and expectations of our patients, while guiding them to achieve and maintain optimum oral health. Family owned and operated, we strive to treat people, not just teeth. Our patients are not just teeth walking through the door, but neighbors, friends and colleagues whom we hope to know long term. Our relationship goes beyond commercial service exchange. It is based on the establishment of mutual respect and trust.
We understand fear of visiting the dentist. Many people are embarrassed of the condition of their mouth. Rest assured, our team is professional and will not judge or lecture you. We are here for you whether you are beginning the journey towards oral health, or simply maintaining your healthy smile.
Dr. Torres is from Alice, Texas, and received her degree in Microbiology from the University of Texas in Austin. She then completed her dental training at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. She is an active member of the Academy of Orthodontics and a certified Six Month Smiles provider. She is a lifelong learner, dedicated to staying on top of advancements in dental health in an effort to provide the quality care that her patients deserve. She has three beautiful children that she loves to spend time with, and looks forward to meeting you and your family.
Dr. Marii Malagayo was born in the Philippines and grew up in Lubbock, Texas. She graduated Magna cum Laude from Texas State University, receiving her Bachelor of Science in Biology. She then received her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Texas Health Sciences Center - San Antonio with a Distinction in Dental Education and Teaching Honors. Following her doctoral degree, Dr. Malagayo completed the Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency program at UT Health - School of Dentistry. During her residency, she received training in many advanced dental procedures, sedation, and complex treatment planning.
Dr. Malagayo is committed to continuous improvement and the highest quality of care. It is her mission to guide all patients towards better oral and overall health and be their partner and ally in accomplishing treatment goals and believes that trust, quality communication, and patient involvement is critical in treatment success. She also acknowledges that many patients have fears or anxieties about having dental work completed and makes it her top priority to ensure patient comfort and deliver gentle care in a relaxed, and soothing atmosphere. Dr. Malagayo believes that the patient, doctor, and support staff all share the same purpose and passion - healthy mouths and beautiful smiles!
Patricia is a 2003 Graduate of San Antonio College of Dental Assisting. After receiving her Registered Dental Assistant Certification, Patricia became motivated to immerse herself in the administration division of the dental world. She began working the front desk before advancing to office manager. She actively continues to develop her dental education through Continuing Education (CE) courses. As the office manager of Reality Bites Dental, Patricia is able to address most of your concerns and questions. Patricia has a passion for excellent customer service and you always recognize her beautiful smile when you walk in.
Patricia is happily married with one son, who loves to take any opportunity to show you his dance moves. When shes not in the office, she spends her time with her family going to church, musical concerts and traveling the U.S.
Franchesca has worked in customer service for the last 8 years and is always willing to help with a smile. We brought Franchesca on board as our dental insurance coordinator in 2020. She is responsible for evaluating and validating insurance information to verify claims and process the necessary claims resolutions for all parties.
She is passionate about providing our patients with an excellent experience from the moment they arrive. You will find her energetic personality is a perfect fit for the dynamic world of dentistry. On any given day, you can find Franchesca with a microphone in her hand, signing along to her favorite songs just for fun. Franchesca has been married for over 5 years with one loving son.
Trish has been with Reality Bites Dental since it was born as an idea. She is a part of the original team that founded our practice. With 7 years of dental assisting experience, she originally was our head dental assistant. Ever the achiever, she later returned to school to pursue her bachelors degree in Dental Hygiene at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. While in school, she was actively involved in community service and research. There, she graduated as Magna Cum Laude in 2016. Trish has since returned to our office as our full time dental hygienist. You will recognize her by her calm chairside manner and kind demeanor. Trish will work with you and your family to customize your experience to ensure we maintain an effective oral hygiene regimen and a healthy, beautiful smile.
Pegah has been part of Reality Bites Dental since 2020. She has been an oral health professional providing preventative dental care and treating oral diseases since 2015. Her biggest priority is to make sure every patient is comfortable and confident in receiving oral health care. She will continue to dedicate her time with building her knowledge in the dental field and attending continuing education courses. She is currently engaged, has a 2-year-old Shiatzu named Benny and a Persian cat named Fluffy. Pegah also loves outdoor activities such as hiking and biking.
Stephanie graduated from The University of Texas at Brownsville in 2003 and has been providing quality care for people ever since! With over 15 years of experience, she understands how important it is to meet patient standards. She began her career in the Rio Grande Valley and recently moved to San Antonio. Stephanie joined our team in April 2021 and is thrilled to continue caring for smiles in the Alamo City.
Joy is a veteran in the dental field. She has been in the dental field for 10 years. Her career began as a registered dental assistant where she flourished for 4 years. Realizing her passion for patient care, she decided to take her career to the next level and returned to school to study dental hygiene. Joy graduated from Tyler Junior College in 2014 with an Associates Degree in Dental Hygiene. She continues to fine tune her skills through continuing education and prides herself in delivering a pain free experience to all of her patients.
Joy and her husband Eric have 1 adorable daughter and two fur-babies. Outside of the dental office, you can usually find them playing outdoors with their little girl, testing out new recipes in the kitchen, lifting weights at the gym or catching up on the latest super hero movie.
Brenda has over 17 years experience as a registered dental assistant and it shows. She has an unparalleled work ethic and is committed to go the extra mile to ensure the highest standard of excellence and patient care. As head dental assistant, Brenda is your resource to answering any questions you may have regarding treatment or care. You can recognize Brenda by her sunny personality and contagious laugh that brightens the whole office. She loves working with patients and helps patients leave our office with a smile on their face.
Sully has dedicated herself as a career professional in the patient care space, and recently made a move into dental assisting. As a recent graduate from the Dental Assistant School in San Antonio, Sully prides herself on her work ethic and passion for delivering the best possible experience for her patients. Her years of experience and ability to empathize, make her a great addition to the Reality Bites Dental team.