MEET OUR SPECIALISTS
DR. ERIC DEVRIES, DMD, MS, BOARD CERTIFIED
My name is Dr. Eric DeVries, DMD MS. I was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee, but I am very happy to have found Amarillo, Texas! I attended dental School at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and completed my pediatric dental residency at the University of Michigan. I am a Board Certified Diplomat of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. My wife, Andrea, and I have two wonderful children who love to run around and make life interesting. My favorite cartoon character is Nemo, because even though challenges can be difficult, he works through them.
DR. DAVID HARNEY, DDS, MS, BOARD CERTIFIED
My name is Dr. David Harney and I am a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and a Texas native. I graduated with a bachelors and masters in Neuroscience from Tulane University in New Orleans. After Hurricane Katrina I began to teach middle school Math and Science, where I realized my passion for working with children. After returning to Dallas, I attended Texas A&M University College of Dentistry where I graduated with honors and then completed my pediatric residency at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, DC. My wife, Ziara, and I fell in love with Amarillo and its incredibly warm and friendly people. We are so happy to make Amarillo our permanent home.
DR. MIKE ROSS, DDS, MS, BOARD CERTIFIED
I was born in London, England but moved to the USA when I was six years old. You can say that I got here as soon as I could. As a proud American, serving in the United States Air Force during the Iraq war was an important and proud time in my life. After, I attended the University of Texas (Hook ‘em Horns!) where I studied Biology and Business. I attended Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry for my doctorate of dental surgery, and completed a post-doctoral program specializing in orthodontics leading to a master of science, and ultimately attained my certificate in orthodontics. Orthodontics has always been my passion and it’s so much fun! Our goal is to give people the ultimate patient experience in a fun and comfortable environment. I’ve participated actively in evidence-based research in clear aligners and published two articles in national orthodontics journals.
DR. DEVON COOPER, DMD, MS, BOARD CERTIFIED
As a pediatric dentist, I treat children and adolescents, including those who have special needs. I give the care I would give my own child or family member, and I always treat people with respect. When I was young, I was inspired to become a pediatric dentist by my own dentist. My family did not have a lot of money at that time, and our dentist took what we could give and provided me care with enthusiasm. He did not treat me any differently than the other kids. In my practice, I recognize that everyone comes from different walks of life, and circumstances do impact one’s life. I strive never to be quick to judge anything or anyone. If I see a family in the morning, I want to be the person to start their day off great. If I see a family in the evening, I want to be the person to make their day better if it hasn't been going well. Smiles and laughter are very contagious, and we should use them more.
DR. AMANDEEP PENTLIA, DDS, MPH, BOARD CERTIFIED
Hi! I'm Dr. Mandee and here are a few fun facts about me. I was born on a cold, winter day in Toronto, Canada. I can speak four languages, including French. When I was younger, I wanted to be a firefighter. About 5 years ago, I was also inspired to pick up DJ-ing. My ultimate FAVORITE job, though, is taking care of your kiddo’s teeth! I fell in love with dentistry after having LOTS of dental work done myself. I packed my bags and moved from Canada to Michigan, where I completed my dental training at the University of Detroit Mercy. After this, I moved to Denver, Colorado to be a mile closer to the sun, to have the mountains in my backyard and to complete my training in pediatric dentistry. I’ve always had a passion for working with children, families and patients with special needs. I believe that a smile has the power to single-handedly change someone’s day, and it’s my goal to help make children everywhere smile bigger and brighter!
DR. NANCY WONG, DDS, MBA, BOARD CERTIFIED
My name is Nancy Wong and I’m a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist. I was born and raised in Lima, Peru and moved to San Antonio at 12 years old where I lived for almost 20 years! When I first moved to America, I didn’t speak English at all but with the help of my ESL teachers and community, I was able to learn the language and the culture of my new home. The goal was to achieve the “American Dream” and ultimately, with lots of love and support, I became the first dentist in the family! In college, I helped establish an organization that helped raise funds for children with childhood cancer working closely with each child and their families. This led me to find my calling in pediatric dentistry. I am passionate about ensuring my patients have a positive and fun experience at the dental office and I strive to provide kind, compassionate, individualized dental care to meet the dental needs of my community.
DR. MYRIAM GLAVASH, DMD, BOARD CERTIFIED
Hi! I'm Dr. Gigi, a board-certified pediatric dentist with the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. I've been practicing dentistry for nearly a decade! I completed my pediatric residency at my alma mater and the largest private university in South Florida, Nova Southeastern University. While there, I completed extensive training in behavioral management including advanced behavioral management techniques, including oral sedation and general anesthesia. I have also worked and trained largely with children diagnosed with special needs. I excelled in my post-doctoral program and was the 2021 recipient of the STUEY Award (Student Life Achievement Award) in academic excellence among other attributes. I love taking the time to care and comfort my patients so visiting the dentist is a rewarding, informative and fun experience!
DR. ARLISHA HICKS, DDS, BOARD CERTIFIED
I was born and raised in Houston where I grew up wanting to be a veterinarian until I realized I was afraid of one too many animals. After having several dental procedures completed myself, my pediatric dentist encouraged me in the direction of pediatric dentistry due to my growing curiosity about my treatment. My goal for every child is to create a positive and happy experience they’ll never forget! I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Texas Woman’s University and went on to achieve a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at Meharry Medical College. My passion for treating children grew stronger as I attended dental school. I completed my two-year Pediatric Dental Residency at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, FL, serving as chief resident my second year. Outside of the office, I love working out, traveling, giving belly rubs to my dog Henderson, spending time with family, and of course anything Disney!
DR. JENNIFER VILLALTA, DDS, MPH, BOARD CERTIFIED
There’s one thing that Dr. Jen is passionate about above all else: making children smile. A first-generation Latina, Dr. Jen's parents fled El Salvador’s Civil War before she was born, seeking refuge in the US, in Los Angeles. The family moved to Northern California for a time, where Dr. Jen attended middle and high school. During her junior year, at the age of 16, she was forced to drop out of high school and provide for herself. It was at this time that she began working full-time at an orthodontic practice and attending Santa Rosa Junior College after work. She often says “Dentistry saved my life,” as during this trying time dentistry gave her a goal that she wanted to achieve and a future that she became determined to build. She eventually transferred from SRJC to UCLA on an academic scholarship, where she obtained a B.S. in Physiological Sciences. Dr. Jen then took a gap year to embark on 2 humanitarian military missions, notably with the US Navy and other military branches aboard both the USNS Mercy hospital ship and the USS Pearl Harbor battleship. She continued to backpack solo throughout Southeast Asia and Europe before matriculating into dental school and attending the UOP Arthur A. Dugoni Dental School, the only 3-year accelerated program in the US. But she wasn’t done there. After graduation, Dr. Jen returned to UCLA, this time to their School of Dentistry, where she earned her Pediatric Dental Specialty certificate while simultaneously obtaining her Master of Public Health from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. She is also proud to be a speaker and Key Opinion Leader for NuSmile. She brings her rich experiences and compassion for her fellow humans both big and small, and loves nothing more than inspiring her little patients and their families to smile with health and confidence. Dr. Jen has dedicated her life to dentistry and is thrilled to welcome families and kids from every age group, cultural background, and walk of life.
DR. NAHIMAR DAVIS, DMD, MBA
I was born and raised in Valencia, Venezuela. Since childhood I have been interested in the health care field, as my dad is a pediatrician and mom a social worker. When I was a teenager, our church began sending missionaries to the Amazon jungle regions of Venezuela. These areas are very remote, far from developed cities, with no real access to healthcare. My father, being a physician, was asked to join the missionary group and aid these isolated populations. I was asked to help on one of these trips as a member of the dental team. I thoroughly enjoyed my time, felt energized by my role within the team, and was amazed by the impact we made on these communities in just one short week. It was during this trip that I realized Dentistry was the field for me, and so my adventure began. I graduated from the University of Carabobo Dental School in 2013. After completing my dental training, like all new graduates, I wanted to get out and put into practice all the new skills I had to offer; however, in my case, my country was in decline. Despite being fresh out of school, I emigrated to Panama City, Panama to seek out better opportunities, where I lived and practiced for 5 years. I moved to the United States in 2018 to start a family and continue my education. My husband and I lived in Shamrock, TX for three years prior to my matriculation into the advanced standing class at Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, where I graduated with honors in 2024. I’m very happy to be back in the Texas Panhandle and look forward to providing comprehensive and compassionate care to the children of Amarillo and its surrounding communities.