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We currently have 5 Pediatric Dentists on staff to serve your needs,
as well as an Orthodontist! Let’s meet our Doctors!
The Doctors | Hygienists | Dental Team | Marble Falls Staff | Bee Caves Staff | Austin Staff
 Dr.
Steve Hernandez
is a native of the Hill Country and received a Bachelor of
Science from Baylor University. He attended Baylor College of
Dentistry in Dallas where he received his Doctor of Dental
Surgery.
Dr. Angie Hernandez
grew up in Arkansas and attended the University of Arkansas
where she received a Bachelor of Science. She also received a
Doctor of Dental Surgery from Baylor College of Dentistry.
Both doctors
continued their training by completing a two year residency in
pediatric dentistry and received certificates from Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, Texas
Scottish Rite Hospital for children, and Baylor College of
Dentistry. In addition, Dr. Angie then completed a
fellowship in Orthodontics. The Hernandez have five
children; Paige, Ashleigh, Georgia, Zachary and Joshua. The
Hernandez family is proud to be a part of Marble Falls,
Bee Caves, and the Lake Travis communities. The Hernandez
are both Rotarians. They support the Rotary Foundation and are
both Paul Harris Fellows. Dr. Steve Hernandez is on the
board of directors of the Highland Lakes Health Partnership,
where he serves on the board overseeing the formation of a
charity dental clinic to serve the Highland Lakes area. In 2009, he received the
Outstanding Citizen Award from the Marble Falls/Highland Lakes
Chamber of Commerce for his contributions and services to the
community. Dr. Angie Hernandez is currently on the board
of directors for the Lake Travis Education Foundation.
She has also been a member of the Marble Falls Library board of
directors. Dr. Steve and Dr. Angie helped to co-chair the
Texas Mission of Mercy in
Burnet
County. This large
scale mission treated over eight hundred patients and recruited
dentists from all over the state of Texas. Both doctors have volunteered
their talents to serve children through the charities of
Christina’s Smile and the Theo Van by providing dental care at
no cost to the families. The Hernandez have given to
school supply drives, bought books for local elementary schools
and sponsored programs to foster learning in the elementary
schools. Both doctors give annually to the Healthy Smiles
Healthy Children Foundation of the
American
Academy of Pediatric
Dentistry. This foundation helps to fund research
initiatives to further the practice of pediatric dentistry and
contributes too many avenues to achieve excellence in pediatric
oral health. Moreover, they sponsor numerous youth athletic
programs in many communities.
Dr. Steve and Dr. Angie are involved in every aspect of organized dentistry. Both doctors hold the title of Diplomate, American Board of Pediatric Dentistry, as well as members of the American Dental Association, the Texas Dental Association, and their local component dental societies. Both doctors are members of the American Academy of Pediatric
Dentistry, the Texas Association of
Pediatric Dentistry, the Paul P. Taylor Association of Pediatric
Dentistry and the Southwestern Society of Pediatric Dentistry.
Both doctors have privileges at
Bailey Square Surgery Center, Dell Children’s Medical Center, and The Hospital at Westlake. Our office also
provides state-of-the-art digital x-rays, laser dentistry,
in-office conscious sedation, and specializes in treating
special needs patients. Dr. Angie is a fellow of the Academy of GP Orthodontics.
Dr. Steve Hernandez is a Captain in the United States Air Force
Reserves.
 Dr.
Regina Jensen attended the University
of Texas in San Antonio where she received her B.S. in Biology.
She went on to attend Dental School at the University of Texas
Health Science Center in San Antonio, and completed her
residency with Texas A&M Health Science Center- Baylor College
of Dentistry in Dallas. She was Board Certified by the American
Board of Pediatric Dentistry in 2008.
Dr. Jensen lives in Austin with her husband, Paul, who is a Navy pilot reservist, and a writer/producer,
and their three daughters Olivia, Mia and Vivian She enjoys yoga, gardening, reading, baking with her daughters, and spending time with her family.
Dr. Hannah Burns
grew up in Devine, Texas. She received her bachelor's degree in Nutrition from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. Following college, she attended the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio where she received her DDS. She also completed a two year pediatric dentistry residency in San Antonio. Dr. Burns became Board Certified by The American Board of Pediatric Dentistry in 2009, and is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, the American Dental Association, and the Texas Dental Association.
Dr. Burns lives in Marble Falls with her husband Casey and their three children.
 Dr. Keith Rice attended the Indiana University School of Dentistry where he graduated in 2000, and began to practice as a General Dentist. After five years of practicing he decided to return to school and become a specialist in Pediatric Dentistry, this decision brought him back to Texas to attend Baylor College of Dentistry. Dr. Rice received his certificate in Pediatric Dentistry in 2009 and became an Associate with Hill Country Pediatric Dentistry/ Central Texas Pediatric Dentistry. Dr. Rice is a member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, he is eligible to become board certified with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry later this year. Dr Rice prides himself on practicing with integrity, and establishing good rapport with the patients as well as the parents.
Dr. Rice lives in Austin, where he enjoys spending time with his daughter Teagan.
 Dr. Zapalac
is a native of Austin. His degrees and training are all from the University of Texas System. His undergraduate degree is from UT Austin and his graduate degrees from the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. He received his D.D.S. in 1976 and M.S. in 1978.
He opened his practice in Austin after completing his two-year orthodontic residency training, also in 1978. During the ensuing 30 years he has stayed abreast of the most progressive technological and theoretical advances in orthodontics via continuing education courses, seminars, and mini-residencies.
His professional interests include interceptive treatment on younger patients (age 6 and up), conventional treatment on pre-teens and teenagers, as well as comprehensive orthodontic treatment for adults. Dr. Zapalac joined the Hill Country Pediatric Dentistry Team in 2009.
Coverage is also provided from time to time by Pediatric Dentists
Dr. Philp, Dr. Aaron Engels and Dr. Jodi Mason.
Hygienists
 Amanda Nuckles - Hygienist
Amanda has been a member of our team since July 2006. She graduated Cum Laude from the Blinn College Dental Hygiene Program in 2005 and is currently working on her Bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio which she plans to complete in the Fall 2011. Amanda enjoys the rewards and challenges of working with pediatric patients. She also organizes annual GKAS events, provides oral health screenings at area head start programs, and creates and presents oral health care education to parents of preschoolers. She is a member of Texas Dental Hygienists’ Association, American Dental Hygienists’ Association, and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry.
Amanda married her high school sweetheart, Aaron, in December 2003. They live in Lampasas, Texas. Aaron is a high school World History teacher and coach. They have a 3 ½ year old son, Aidan, who keeps them busy. She enjoys spending time with family, going to the movies, shopping, and attending sporting events that her husband coaches.
 Sarah Noack - Hygienist
Sarah Noack grew up in Sonora, Texas and the surrounding Hill Country area. She graduated from Blinn College in Bryan, Texas with an associate degree in Biology and associate degree in Art. She then transferred to the Howard College Dental Hygiene School in Big Spring, Texas where she graduated in 2005 Magna Cum Laude with an A.A.S. in Dental Hygiene. Sarah spent the first two years of her career as a dental hygienist in a general dentist office where she was exposed to many types of patients and their special dental needs. Sarah mostly enjoyed her pediatric patients and soon moved to a pediatric dentist office full time. She enjoys the opportunity of teaching children, and their parents, how to prevent tooth decay in order to lead healthier, fuller lives in a fun and kid friendly environment. Sarah has been a member of the American Dental Hygienist Association and the Texas Dental Hygienist Association since 2003. She is also a member of the Austin District Dental Hygiene Association and the San Antonio District Dental Hygienist’s Society.
Sarah lives in San Antonio with her newlywed husband Brandon Noack and their two dogs Charlie and Bella. She enjoys spending most of her weekends outside at her family ranch in Rocksprings, walking her dogs or working in the yard. Sarah also holds a passion for preserving her deep ranching family history as well as historical sites of Texas so is currently in the process of obtaining her memberships with both the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the Daughters of the American Revolution.
 Jodi Cozzolino - Hygienist
Jodi Cozzolino has been working in the field of dentistry for the past 5 years. She began as an assistant in a pediatric dental office before beginning her career as a hygienist. Jodi graduated from Blinn College in Bryan, Texas in May of 2009. Jodi worked in Dallas for a pediatric dentist before joining Central Texas Pediatric Dentistry in December of 2009.
While in hygiene school, Jodi was given the Golden Scaler award. This award was voted on by her peers for the student they thought had the best patient care. Jodi was also granted the Community Service award for organizing and participating in the Give Kids A Smile event. This event provided under-served children in the community free dental treatment. Now, Jodi enjoys giving back to her community by volunteering for fluoride varnish days which provide under-served children with dental exams and a fluoride treatment. Jodi also visits local elementary schools teaching children about their teeth, and what to expect when going to the dentist. She does this in hopes to improve oral hygiene in children, as well as alleviate any anxiety children may have about visiting the dentist.
Before attending hygiene school, Jodi played collegiate soccer at Southern Methodist University, and still enjoys playing in a women’s league today. When she is not cleaning teeth, or on the soccer field, you can probably find her camping or doing something outdoors with her husband, Paul, and her dog, Bailey.
Frances Amaral - Hygienist
Frances is the latest addition at
the Bee Caves location of Hill Country Pediatric Dentistry.
Frances is new to the Austin area, originally from
Manhattan, New York. She decided to relocate to escape
the harsh snowy winters. Finding solace in Austin she
is thriving in our milder weather with her daughter,
Samantha. Frances is a Hostos Community College
graduate. She was granted an award for overall
Achievements and Professionalism during her graduation
ceremony. Although she has worked mostly in general
practices and periodontics, she fits in well in pediatrics
and has always enjoyed working with children.
Some of her passions include reading and
taking long walks with her daughter, Sam and their dog,
Maya. She also enjoys watching her daughter rise in
the ranks of Martial Arts Muay Thai. She believes in
good communication and keeping it light and friendly to win
over children’s’ trust, reassuring them that a trip to the
dentist can be a fun and educational experienc
Dental Team
 Clairissa Holland - Practice Administrator and Operations Manager
Practice Administrator and Operations Manager Clairissa Holland, began working in orthodontics and dentistry right after high school where she resided in Savannah, Georgia. She received a degree in Early Childhood Development from the University of Maryland in Mannheim Germany while her husband was stationed overseas, and furthered her education later, receiving accreditation from the University of North Texas as a professional administrator. She has owned and operated a successful childcare center, taught algebra in a public high school, and has worked in healthcare administration a total of 9 years. Clairissa resides in Burnet with her husband Matt, and their 3 children, Emily, Jacob and Joel.
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