Waltham Dental Blog: Expert Tips For Healthy Smiles

Dr. Lauren Quintela

Dr. Quintela is a dedicated general dentist committed to providing thoughtful, patient-centered care. She earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and her Bachelor of Science, cum laude, from Yale University, where she studied Psychology/Neuroscience and completed an Advanced Language Certificate in Spanish. She further advanced her clinical training through a one-year Advanced Education in General Dentistry residency at the Miami VA Medical Center, gaining extensive experience in comprehensive dental care.

Dr. Quintela is bilingual in English and Spanish, allowing her to connect with a broad range of patients. She has been recognized for her clinical excellence with the Academy of Operative Dentistry Award for Outstanding Achievement in Operative Dentistry. She is passionate about delivering gentle, detail-oriented care to help patients of all ages achieve healthy smiles.

A South Florida native, Dr. Quintela enjoys spending time in the sun and by the water. Outside of dentistry, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, exercising and practicing yoga, cooking, reading thriller novels, and traveling.

Dr. Samidha Rajora

A proud graduate of University of Minnesota, Dr Rajora earned Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree with honors in Oral Surgery and Periodontics. Her clinical skills span a wide range of treatments including invisalign, veneers, crowns, bridges, extractions, dentures, root canals and dental implantology. With a strong foundation in both cosmetic and surgical dentistry, I focus on delivering comprehensive, compassionate care tailored to each patient’s needs.

Yusmary Medina

Yusmary is a dentist by education from Venezuela with eight years of experience working as a dental assistant. Her background provides her with a strong understanding of both clinical care and patient needs.

She is dedicated to making sure patients feel comfortable and happy with their visits. Yusmary loves her work and takes pride in delivering a positive, reassuring dental experience.

Jenny Marroquín

Jenny Marroquín brings over 10 years of experience in administrative support, organization, and patient-focused service. In her role at the front desk, she helps ensure smooth daily operations and clear communication throughout the office.

Her friendly approach and attention to detail create a welcoming, organized environment for both patients and staff, helping every visit run efficiently and comfortably.

Evelyn Vallejos

Evelyn is a dentist by training from Venezuela and has over three years of experience as a certified dental assistant in the United States. Her strong clinical background allows her to support patients and the dental team with skill and confidence.

She truly enjoys her work and is passionate about providing compassionate, high-quality care. Evelyn focuses on making every patient feel comfortable, informed, and well cared for during their visit.

Dr. Nazia Pathan

Dr. Nazia Pathan is a highly skilled, passionate and experienced dentist with 19 years of dental experience. She has practiced in India and USA. She graduated from Boston University with DMD High Honors. She has served diverse populations with oral & dental health education and treatment. She is certified in surgically placing implants and prosthetic restorations and holds a Fellowship of ICOI. She has also participated in various clinical case discussions with experts in the field of implants. She seeks to contribute to the advancement of preferential treatment in dentistry and apply her knowledge and skills to help more people smile with confidence.

Dr. Pathan is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest advancements in dental technology and techniques. She regularly attends continuing education courses and is a member of the American Dental Association and Academy of General Dentistry. She lives in Waltham with her husband and 2 kids. When not practicing, she likes to travel and read new books.

Dr. Shyrie Patel

Dr. Shyrie Patel, DDS, MPH earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and holds a Master of Public Health from Harvard University. She completed a General Practice Residency at the University of Washington and an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Internship at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, where she trained alongside leading surgeons and gained experience caring for medically complex patients.

Dr. Shyrie provides comprehensive dental care including preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and surgical treatments. She is passionate about delivering patient-centered care, taking time to listen to concerns, ease anxiety, and develop treatment plans that support both oral health and overall wellbeing.

Her background in public health shapes her emphasis on prevention, education, and long-term health. Dr. Shyrie has also served as clinical faculty at Harvard School of Dental Medicine and remains committed to continuing education and staying at the forefront of modern dentistry.

Outside the office, Dr. Shyrie enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, and playing soccer. She is also a former semi-professional soccer player.

Dr. Niharika Singh

Dr. Niharika Singh is a dedicated and compassionate dentist who completed her dental training in India, graduating as the Best Outgoing Student and earning multiple awards for outstanding achievement in dentistry. She further advanced her clinical expertise by completing Surgical Implantology at UCLA, where she later earned her DDS degree with honors.

Dr. Singh was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Dental Honor Society, recognizing her commitment to scholarship, leadership, and service. She is passionate about delivering high-quality, patient-centered care and advancing access to oral health in underserved communities.

Dr. Pavna Shah

Dr. Shah brings a global perspective and over 15 years of experience to her dental practice. She began her dental journey in India, where she earned her Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree. Driven by a passion for providing comprehensive, patient-centered care, Dr. Shah pursued advanced education in the United States at Boston University with High honors.

Dr. Shah is passionate about staying on the leading edge of dentistry and invests a lot of time into continuing education. Her clinical interests include preventive dentistry, restorative procedures, and creating healthy, confident smiles for patients of all ages. She is also a certified Invisalign provider.

Dr. Shah is committed to delivering high-quality care with compassion and precision. She believes in building strong relationships with her patients and staying current with the latest advancements in dental technology and techniques. Dr. Shah enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and exploring new cuisines.

Dr. Karishnee Patel

Dr. Karishnee Patel is a compassionate dentist who believes oral health is a key part of overall well-being. She earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) from the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine, building a strong foundation in advanced clinical techniques and patient-centered care.

With more than seven years of experience, Dr. Patel’s philosophy goes beyond relieving toothaches. She focuses on whole-person dentistry looking for root causes, using evidence-based treatments, and tailoring care to each patient’s health goals.

Dr. Patel takes time to understand your needs and lifestyle, then creates a personalized plan whether you’re here for routine maintenance, cosmetic enhancements, or advanced restorative work. Her goal is simple: guide you toward a healthier, happier smile.

Dr. Aparna Khanna

Dr. Aparna Khanna is a graduate of Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (2010) with more than 20 years of experience. Inspired early by her father, a renowned pedodontist (pediatric dentist), she now practices at Smiley Dental’s Lowell office and helps oversee operations across our locations.

Her clinical focus includes cosmetic, restorative, and preventive care. She provides dental implants, crowns and bridges, dentures (complete, partial, implant-retained), root canal therapy, and tooth-colored fillings. Dr. Khanna is an Invisalign-certified provider and offers clear aligner therapy to improve bite and smile alignment. She welcomes patients of all ages and pays special attention to seniors and people with disabilities.

Dr. Khanna founded Smiley Dental in 2013 and has grown it into a multi-location, metrics-driven Dental Service Organisation (DSO), employing more than 60 team members. Outside the office, she’s active in the local community and enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, hiking, and exploring nearby trails.

Dr. Payal Patel

Dr. Payal Patel completed her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at New York University College of Dentistry, following her undergraduate studies at Adelphi University. She is passionate about patient-centered care, and takes special care to listen to patient concerns, help ease anxiety, and deliver treatment in a collaborative, empathetic way.

At Smiley Dental, Dr. Patel offers a full spectrum of dental services—from preventative and restorative care to cosmetic dentistry and emergency treatment. She believes in building trust and communication, so patients feel comfortable asking questions and participating in their own treatment decisions.

Outside the clinic, Dr. Patel values community, professional growth, and patient education. She strives to stay current with emerging techniques and technologies, and she brings warmth and professionalism to every interaction, helping patients of all ages smile with confidence.

Dr. Rhea Vohra

Dr. Rhea Vohra is a compassionate and skilled dental professional dedicated to providing high-quality, patient-centered care. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from New York University College of Dentistry, where she developed a strong foundation in comprehensive and pediatric dentistry. Her passion for helping patients achieve healthy, confident smiles is reflected in her gentle approach and commitment to excellence.

At Smiley Dental, Dr. Vohra offers a wide range of services including preventive, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dental care. She believes in building lasting relationships with her patients through trust, education, and open communication, ensuring that every visit is comfortable and stress-free. Her attention to detail and dedication to patient well-being make her an integral part of the Smiley Dental team.

Beyond the office, Dr. Vohra enjoys connecting with her community and staying current with the latest advancements in dental care. Her warm demeanor, professionalism, and passion for dentistry inspire confidence and comfort in every patient she treats.