Meet the Team

Dr. Ash is a Board Certified periodontist, practicing in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Texas. He earned his periodontology diploma from the University of Michigan and is specialized in treating gum disease, dental implants and regenerative surgeries. He is licensed to perform IV moderate sedation and high-risk anesthesia.

Dr. Ash studied general dentistry at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, where he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery. Six months after opening his private practice in Tehran, he immigrated to the United States and interned at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) periodontics program. Soon after, he was accepted at the University of Michigan periodontology residency program to specialize in gum surgery. After graduation, he chose to live in Dallas, Texas, and establish his practice.

He has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed scientific dental journals and has been highly cited by dental researchers. He is a proud recipient of the Dr. and Mrs. Steven Meraw Periodontal Scholarship and is a member of the Dallas County Dental Society, the Fort Worth District Dental Society, the American Dental Association and the Michigan Periodontal Association.

Dr. Fontes grew up in the North Dallas area. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry. She majored in English and Journalism at the University of Texas Austin. She enjoys individualizing treatment plans that are both aesthetic and functional for her patients, while also providing compassionate, comprehensive care. She has an adorable baby daughter and speaks Spanish as well.

Dr. Ladak grew up in North Carolina, and after graduating, he decided to move to the Dallas area in 2013. He earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at SUNY at Buffalo, New York, and spent two years in a general practice residency in North Carolina. His dedication and love for dentistry extends beyond our office walls — he also serves as a proud faculty member at Concorde Career College.

Dr. Ladak’s goal as a dentist is to consistently provide exceptional patient-focused care, ensuring long-term oral health for years to come. He listens to the patients and understands their wants and needs, creating personalized treatment plans.

In his free time, he enjoys trying new restaurants, meditating, drawing, table tennis and photography.

Beloved husband, father and grandfather, Lyndel Cates Stripling, 73, passed away on August 25, 2021. He was an accomplished dentist for 45 years and the heart of our team at Lake Highlands Dental. Dr. Stripling graduated from Baylor College of Dentistry in 1976, where he was selected as Outstanding Senior by the Delta Sigma Delta fraternity. After graduation, Dr. Stripling began a private practice in Longview, Texas, where he served as president of the Gregg County Dental Society and the Land of Pines Dental Study Club. He began his Dallas practice in 1988 and was active in the Dallas County Dental Society. Dr. Stripling held a fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry and was a lifetime member of the American Dental Association® and the Texas Dental Association.

A few of his numerous hobbies included singing, sculpting, photography, bow hunting, ranching and traveling across the world. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen, and their six children and seven grandchildren. He will be missed.

Ana’s passion for dentistry began in 1995 when she started as a dental assistant. She has experienced almost every position in a dental office and is motivated by providing quality care for patients. From maintaining meaningful relationships with patients to exercising exceptional management with colleagues. Caring for patients isn’t her only passion in a dental office. Ana is an expert in working with insurance companies. Ana is dedicated to providing you with the personalized, quality dental care you deserve. In her free time, Ana loves spending quality time with her daughters, running and dining with friends. She has also paced for numerous local races as a member of Craig Ranch Running Club.

Sheila has over 16 years in the dental industry! She helps our patients with their insurance, payments and financing. Sheila likes getting to know our patients and helping them work out the financial aspects of their dental care. She loves to see them smile! Sheila is blessed with two sons. When she is away from Lake Highlands Dental, she enjoys playing bingo, shopping, and watching her son play sports.

McKenzie joined our team back in 2022. She works in our reception area, and you probably have heard her calling your name over the phone. She feels like Lake Highlands Dental is like a family and every member is close to each other. She comes from a big family and has five brothers and one sister. in her free time, she enjoys playing tennis and any outdoor activity. She went to Africa last summer for a charity trip and is planning to go again this year!

Pinny has been with our practice for more than 20 years, and she holds a Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene. Pinny endeavors to provide outstanding quality of care to our patients, and she is proud to be part of a team of talented coworkers. Originally from Cambodia, she arrived in the U.S. in 1981 and speaks Khmer. She is married and has three girls, and she loves spending with her family.

Misty is a senior hygienist with 20 years of experience. She earned her bachelor of science in dental hygiene at the University of Texas Health Science Center, and enjoys providing exceptional care that is personalized to each patient and their specific needs.

Misty has followed her passion for helping others and traveled to Haiti, Guatemala and Mexico several times serving on dental and medical mission trips.

Maho joined our practice in late 2022. She graduated as a dental hygienist in Los Andes University in Venezuela back in 2018. She works as a dental assistant, specializing in assisting surgical procedures and IV sedation. Her dad is a maxillofacial surgeon and she shares the same love for teeth and dental care like her dad. She loves to meet new patients and treats them the way she would like to be treated if she was in the chair. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family and her boyfriend. She has two adorable dogs, Jerry (born 2020) and Luna (born 2022).

Dental Assistant

Since 2020, she has worked as a dental assistant, a profession that she is passionate about and in which she has developed professionally. She graduated from the Juárez University of the State of Durango, Mexico, where she acquired the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in the field of dental health. Her commitment to patient well-being and her desire to continually learn are the driving forces behind her rewarding career.

In addition to her career, she is a mother of two children, who are a vital part of her life. She enjoy spending her free time with her family, creating memories and strengthening our bonds. Her commitment to both her work and her family motivates her to continue growing both personally and protessionally.

Registered Dental Assistant

Family oriented person and dog lover who started working as a dental assistant in Texas back in 2011 in a Dental Office located in South Dallas where soon after he was in charge of Prosthodontic cases with his Doctor who practiced dentistry for 37 years. He eventually took over the in-house dental laboratory and office duties as well. He has great passion for the job, empathy and high ethics to contribute to patients oral health. Joined to Lake Highlands Dental staff in 2024 willing to bring his experience to this new and friendly environment.