Smile Xpressions

fter graduating at Artesia High School in 1998, I continued my education at McMurry University where I receive my Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry with a minor in biology. It was there that my desire to be a dentist began. After graduating from McMurry in 2002, I studied and received my DDS from Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M Health Science Center in 2006. After graduation, I returned to my home town and started practicing dentistry in 2006 at Smile Xpressions. I then purchased the de...Read Morental practice in 2008 that now has fifteen staff members. I recently built a new state of the art facility for the dental practice that was featured in the Sidekick Dental Magazine in 2017. I am an active member of the American Dental Association including being on the New Mexico Dental Association Board and serving as the Eastern New Mexico Dental Association president. In 2016, I received and completed a fellowship in implantology with the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. I have served on the Alumni Association Board of Directors at McMurry University from 2008 to 2017. I was also one of the recipients of the first Spirit of McMurry award (the equivalent of the Distinguished Alumni award for alumni under 40). The community of Artesia is important to me and so I have committed to be involved. I’m a member of the Artesia Downtown Lions Club and have been active for the past 11 years. Currently I serve as the co-chair of Jr. Lions, a group that encourages high school seniors to be involved in the community. I’m also on the Artesia Lions Club board and was a recent past president. I’m an Artesia First United Methodist Church member and have served in numerous positions. Additionally, I’m an active volunteer for the local council of the Boy Scouts of America. When I’m not serving others, you can find me enjoying my time with my family in the mountains or at home with my “furbabies”, my two Biewers Terriers, Gabby and Thunder. Read Less

Dr. Gunn grew up on an alfalfa farm in Ft. Sumner, New Mexico. She attended West Texas A & M in Canyon, Texas and received her Bachelors of Science in Biochemistry. Dr. Gunn continued her education at Midwestern College of Dental Medicine in Glendale Arizona achieving her Doctorate of Dental Medicine in May of 2018. While at Midwestern, she was recognized as the “Student of Service” for the Class of 2018 which is appointed by the faculty. She plans to marry to Hunter Buckles of Amarillo, Texa...Read Mores in September of 2018. He constantly reminds her that its okay to not have every detail of every day PLANNED. They are excited to start their life together in Artesia. Dr. Gunn loves people and comfortably providing a service to both children and adults. She also enjoys the challenges and inconsistencies that dentistry presents. In her free time, she enjoys cooking/baking, browsing Hobby Lobby/Crafting, gardening, snow skiing, hiking, church events and spending time with her family. You can always find her in the kitchen with her sister, grandmothers and cousins. She admits to being quite the competitor when it comes to playing “forty-two” (dominos). Dr. Gunn is excited to become part of the team at Smile Xpressions and looks forward to meeting and serving the community of Artesia and the surrounding areas. Read Less

I have been employed for the practice since May 2, 1994. I attended New Mexico State University where I received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1989. I have been in the dental field for over 20 years and still love it! I was raised in Artesia and after returning have enjoyed helping prior friends as well as new acquaintances in our practice. I also married a wonderful man, Perry and have two children, Austyn and Denver. I enjoy diving, scrap-booking and reading in my free tim...Read Moree. I also enjoy volunteering in the Artesia Downtown Lions Club, First Baptist Church, various school booster clubs and working with the youth in the community. I was named the Artesia Volunteer of the Year in 2012. Read Less

I am proud to be a family member of Smile Xpressions since April 2001. I say family because we, the staff and Doctor, not only work together, but pray, eat and socialize. I am the Case Management & Insurance Coordinator: in short, I interview you as a new patient when you first visit our office. Because we believe in ideal treatment planning, I try to find the best financing available for you and your needs. The most challenging part of my job is making sure that you get the insurance benefits y...Read Moreou are entitled to. I am blessed with an amazing husband Marty, and have three children Lindsay, Tommy and Conner. Lindsay has blessed us with a wonderful son in law, Anthony and two fun loving grandchildren, Jacob and Darren, and are expecting twins at the end of 2017. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. I am a member of the Eddy County Shooting Range and love shooting a few rounds of sporting clays with family and friends. I look forward to seeing you in our office. Read Less

I’m a certified dental assistant and have worked for Smile Xpressions for over 28 years. I began and worked many years in the back as a dental assistant, about 10 years ago I transitioned to the front office as the scheduling coordinator. It’s my pleasure to help our patients and I love the atmosphere and the staff that make up the “family” here at Smile Xpressions. Israel and I married in 1971 and have 3 children Nathan, Gino and Tori. We have two granddaughters, Ciara and Daryan, one grandson...Read More, A.J. and two great grandsons, Kaden & Rawley J. Read Less

I have been a registered dental hygienist since completing my education at Loma Linda University in California in 1997. I have practiced both in California and now in New Mexico at Dr. Younggren’s office. I have been part of this practice for many years and enjoy living in Artesia. I love my patients and enjoy helping them maintain optimum oral health. By attending dental education seminars I stay up to date with all the latest advancements in dental technology, including most recently becoming ...Read Morecertified in soft tissue diode laser decontamination. I am married to a wonderful man, Mark and we have seven children and we are very active in our church. Outside the office, I enjoy running and participating in all my children’s extracurricular activities. Read Less

I graduated from Amarillo in 2008 and joined the practice at Smile Xpressions shortly after. My highschool sweetheart, Kyle and I married and have a daughter, Kaelynn and a son, Kai. In my spare time I like to work out and play softball.

I came aboard the staff of Smile Xpressions in 2006 as a dental assistant. I worked as a dental assistant while attending dental hygiene school at ENMU-R and graduated 2013. It was then that I began my dental hygiene adventure. My husband, Abe and I began our family in 2013 and have two children Abie and Natalia. I now work as a part-time hygienist so that I can spend extra time at home. Abie, was born with Down-Syndrome and our family is committed to special needs children. I enjoy spending ...Read Moretime with my family and traveling. Read Less

After graduating hygiene school in 2010 from ENMU-R I began my career as a dental hygienist. In 2014, I moved back to my home town and began working at Smile Xpressions. I enjoy helping my patients improve and maintain good oral health. My goal is to treat and educate my patients so that they can keep their teeth for a lifetime! Part of my desire to move back to Artesia, was to be with family. When I’m not at the office I enjoy spending time with my son, R.J and the rest of the “Venegas Clan”...Read More. I also enjoy fitness, travel and playing softball. Read Less

I have been dental assisting since 2003 and have been with Smile Xpressions since 2010. I truly enjoy what I do. I am married to Tito Salmon and we have two daughters, Sydni and Nadia. We are a very active family and some of our hobbies include working out together and playing golf. We also love to participate in our daughters extracurricular activities as well

I joined the practice in Summer 2012 while doing my practicum hours for dental assisting at ENMU-R, then later graduated in December. I was hired full time in 2013. I have taken hours for the Expanded Function and still in the process of pursuing them. I love working at Smile Xpressions, the staff is like family to me. When I’m not at work, I am spending time with my two daughters Chloe and Mallory. They keep me busy with soccer, cheer, softball, and other things going on in life.

Delaney began her dental career at Smile Xpressions while doing clinical hours for school in the beginning of 2017. She joined the team of Smile Xpressions permanently in June 2018. Delaney has an Associates in Science from New Mexico State University as well as a Dental Assisting Certificate which she obtained from Lubbock Dental Assistant School. She has lived in Artesia about 11 years and is married to Joshua Rodriguez her lifelong friend. Her hobbies include spending time with family and fri...Read Moreends, camping and being outdoors. Read Less

graduated high school from Roby, Texas. I received a bachelor degree in Education form Angelo State University. This is where I met my husband, Terry. We have been married 44 years and have two children and two grandchildren. I taught 4th grade and title reading in Eden, Texas then 2nd grade in Big Lake, Texas. When I moved to Artesia, I went back to school and received my Masters Degree in Education from Grand Canyon University. I taught First Grade in the Artesia Public School system until I ...Read Moreretired three years ago. After retirement, I went to work for my Daughter, Dr. Kay Younggren. I help out where ever they need me at the office. Mainly I work afternoons answering the telephone, running errands, and sometime even doing sterilization. It is so much fun to be around this group of women! They are always so upbeat and ready to help everyone have the best dental experience possible. Read Less