The people you will see every visit
You will spend more time with a hygienist or an assistant than with a dentist. This is who they are, and most of them have been here a long while.
Kristy Borquez
CDA, RDAEF · Patient Coordinator
Kristy joined Northridge Dental Group in 1974, the year the practice opened. She started as a chairside assistant straight out of dental assisting school and never left. Her role has changed several times over five decades, and she is now the person who coordinates patient care across the whole office.
Outside the practice she taught dental assisting classes at weekends for 25 years, and she has led three professional bodies in the field.
- Nationally certified dental assistant (CDA)
- California registered dental assistant in extended functions (RDAEF)
- Past president, American Dental Assistants Association
- Past president, California Dental Assistants Association
- Past president, San Fernando Valley Dental Assistants Society
The people who clean your teeth
Your hygienist is usually the first to spot a problem, because they see your gums up close twice a year. All three are registered dental hygienists.
Rubina Aslanyan
RDH, BSDH
In dentistry since 2010. Rubina holds a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene alongside her registration, and handles routine cleanings through to periodontal maintenance.
Pauline Villaflores
RDH
In dentistry since 2015. Pauline works with patients across the practice, from first cleanings to ongoing periodontal care.
Pegah Gidianian
BSDH, RDH
In dentistry since 2017. Pegah holds a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene and works alongside Dr. Ariz on periodontal cases.
The people beside the chair
Assistants prepare you for treatment, work alongside the dentist throughout, and handle the sterilization that keeps everything safe. Several have been here more than a decade.
Rachel Duvo
RDA
In dentistry since 1996. Rachel is a registered dental assistant who also takes impressions for cosmetic cases and manages assistant coverage across the doctors' schedules.
Sail Fernandez
RDA
A registered dental assistant. Sail takes dental X-rays and impressions, and works chairside through procedures across the practice.
Kassandra Martinez
DA
Qualified in 2017. Kassandra works chairside, manages instrument sterilization, and is trained to assist the doctors during medical and dental emergencies.
Jessica Urena
DA
Qualified in 2018. Jessica works chairside and with the hygienists, and is trained to assist during medical and dental emergencies.
Edith Farias
DA
Edith prepares patients for treatment, takes X-rays, and creates impressions for cosmetic cases. She is trained to assist the doctors in a dental emergency.
The jaw pain and sleep team
The TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre of San Fernando Valley shares this building. These three work with Dr. Ariz on craniofacial pain and sleep cases.
Ryan Pascua
CDA · TMJ & Sleep Assistant
Ryan splits his time between the dental practice and the TMJ centre, working directly with Dr. Ariz on sleep and jaw pain cases.
Francisco Teran
TMJ & Sleep Assistant
Francisco works with Dr. Ariz at the TMJ centre, preparing patients, taking records, and assisting through treatment.
Roxana Jimenez
TMJ & Sleep Coordinator
Roxana handles patient care, scheduling, and billing for the TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre.
The people who clean your teeth
Your hygienist is usually the first to spot a problem, because they see your gums up close twice a year. All three are registered dental hygienists.
Rubina Aslanyan
RDH, BSDH
In dentistry since 2010. Rubina holds a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene alongside her registration, and handles routine cleanings through to periodontal maintenance.
Pauline Villaflores
RDH
In dentistry since 2015. Pauline works with patients across the practice, from first cleanings to ongoing periodontal care.
Pegah Gidianian
BSDH, RDH
In dentistry since 2017. Pegah holds a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene and works alongside Dr. Ariz on periodontal cases.
The people you speak to first
Before you sit in a chair, these are the people who book your visit, check your insurance, and answer the phone when you call.
Teresa Rubio
Treatment Coordinator
At Northridge Dental Group for over 10 years. Teresa oversees the daily schedule, coordinates treatment plans, checks insurance, and keeps billing straight across the whole practice.
Courtney
Front Desk
Courtney is usually your first point of contact. She handles calls, books and reschedules appointments, and sends the reminders that keep check-ups from slipping.