Our Procedures
Our practice provides complete cosmetic, restorative, and general dentistry care services for the entire family.
About Our Family Practice
The practice of Michael Atencio, D.D.S., provides a wide range of dental services for the whole family, including dental implants, crowns, dental bonding, dentures, inlays and onlays, porcelain veneers, and bridges to patients in the Reno area. Our friendly dental team is committed to transforming your smile with outstanding treatment using the latest technology in a relaxing atmosphere.
- Meet Our Team
- We Strive to Make You Feel at Home
- We Provide Premier Dental Care Using State-of-the-Art Technology
- We Offer Nitrous Oxide Sedation For Patient Comfort
- We Offer Affordable Financing Options
Meet Our Team
At the practice of Michael Atencio, D.D.S., our experienced professionals and well-trained staff understand the importance of family. We welcome our patients the way we would welcome our own family members. Our warm and caring approach is complemented by our extensive training and experience, providing patients with the exceptional care they deserve.
Michael A. Atencio, D.D.S.
Laurie Hadwick, R.D.H.
Lynn Carpenter, R.D.H.
Shelby Doran, Dental Assistant
Erica Fraga, Dental Assistant
Erin Jordan, Office Manager
Ligia Angeles, Scheduling Coordinator
Michael A. Atencio, D.D.S.
An outstanding cosmetic and restorative dentist in the Reno/Tahoe area, Dr. Atencio prides himself on putting patients at ease with his gentle touch and concern for their well being. An undergraduate of Colorado State University, Dr. Atencio achieved his Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Nebraska. He began practicing general dentistry in 1991 when he moved to Reno with his wife, Christy. Christy is also a graduate of the University of Nebraska, where she received her degree in dental hygiene, and is a native Nevadan.
As a proud member of the American Dental Association, Nevada Dental Association, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and Academy of Operative Dentistry, Dr. Atencio stays updated on the latest technology and skills needed to be a great dentist.
In addition to his work as a dentist, Dr. Atencio stays busy coaching his son, Cole, and twin daughters, Skylar and Sydney, in baseball and softball. Dr. Atencio also enjoys golfing, biking, swimming, snowboarding, and competing in triathlons.
Laurie Hadwick, R.D.H.
Laurie has been with our office since 2000. As a graduate of Cabrillo College, located near Santa Cruz, California, Laurie is a knowledgeable and accomplished Dental Hygienist. She is an asset to our practice with her extensive training and confidence in her work and her ability to place our patients at ease. Her wonderful personality and skill help to make our patients’ visits more enjoyable. Laurie is sociable and enjoys snowboarding, soccer, yoga, and softball. She has two young daughters who keep her busy when she is not at the office.
Lynn Carpenter, R.D.H.
Lynn is the newest addition to our dental team. With her gentle touch and kind personality, she brings a relaxing presence to our office. Lynn is from Millford, California and received her degree in dental hygiene at the Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls in 1998. After practicing dental hygiene for six years, Lynn went back to school and received training to become a licensed massage therapist. She now divides her work between the two professions. In her free time, Lynn enjoys sewing, cooking, yoga, and spending time with her family.
Shelby Doran, Dental Assistant
Shelby is an experienced dental assistant who has a calming influence and a quiet sense of confidence. She has been in the dental field since 1979, and became a part of our dental team in 2003. She has a dental assisting license and is x-ray certified. Shelby is also current on all OSHA standards and training. Born in Forth Worth, Texas, and raised in beautiful Santa Fe, New Mexico, Shelby moved to Reno in 1998, and enjoys all the golfing, hiking, camping, and fishing that our state has to offer.
Erica Fraga, Dental Assistant
Erica has been with us since 2002. A Reno native, she enjoyed world travel when she joined the Army National Guard in 1998. She specialized in Broadcast Journalism until 2000. Eager to learn a new craft and ready for a change, Erica entered the dental field. Since joining our office, she has become a huge asset to our team. Erica is our Zoom!® tooth whitening technician, and is well-versed in all dental procedures. She is also x-ray certified and has kept current with OSHA standards and training. In her spare time, Erica keeps busy with her beautiful daughter and is currently trying to get back on the radio as the lead singer of her band, Brant.
Erin Jordan, Office Manager
Erin is unquestionably a major reason our office runs so well. With ten years of dental experience, she has proven to be very knowledgeable in all aspects of dentistry, and manages everything from billing to scheduling, and more. Erin has been with our office since she moved from the Bay Area in 2002. Some of her favorite pastimes include gardening, hiking, and camping. She recently became the new mother of a beautiful baby girl.
Ligia Angeles, Scheduling Coordinator
Ligia has been an invaluable addition to our staff since her arrival in 2004, and keeps our office organized and running smoothly. She was born in San Francisco, but wanted to experience a slower pace of life, so she moved to Reno with her husband and four children. Ligia has a special talent for staying calm under pressure while keeping a beautiful smile on her face. She spends her spare time doing activities with her kids.
We Strive to Make You Feel at Home
Your comfort is important to us. We understand that not everyone is excited to visit the dentist. In order to put your mind at ease, our office is designed to make you feel like you are in your own living room rather than at the dentist. The waiting room features comfortable leather couches and an antique medical cabinet filled with original dental instruments. Soft, soothing music can be heard from the moment you step into our office. We want you to feel relaxed and at home during your visit.
We Provide Premier Dental Care Using State-of-the-Art Technology
We take pride in providing our patients with high-quality dental care. Our office is equipped with a full spectrum of advanced technology to help make visits quick, easy, and as pain-free as possible.
Digital X-Rays
X-rays are an essential part of a thorough dental examination. They help the dentist to discover problems in the mouth that are not readily visible and properly diagnose serious conditions at an early stage. Our practice utilizes digital technology to take x-rays of our patients’ mouths. This new technology is environmentally friendly since chemicals are not needed to develop the images. What’s more, our patients are exposed to 90 percent less radiation with digital technology than with traditional x-ray equipment, making the process safer for the entire family.
During the x-ray process, sensors transmit the image of the patient’s mouth directly onto a computer screen in a matter of seconds. With digital x-rays, Dr. Atencio can zoom in and view any problem area in the mouth on a monitor, making diagnosis and treatment faster and easier. The x-rays can also be enhanced with color, contrast, magnification, and annotations to point out areas of concern. This allows patients to view high-quality images and play an active role in the discussion of their oral health, which enhances dental care education.
DIAGNOdent® Laser
Detecting cavities before they become a problem can help patients save time, money, and discomfort. Early detection of cavities is especially useful for minimizing the risk of tooth decay in young children. As a routine part of dental exams, Dr. Atencio uses DIAGNOdent® laser technology to scan teeth for hidden cavities that even x-rays may miss. The DIAGNOdent® system focuses a laser down below the surface of the tooth to detect even the smallest of cavities and evaluate the severity of the tooth decay. This allows the dentist to determine the best treatment options for the patient at the earliest possible time, preventing further decay and improving the overall health of the patient’s mouth.
CAESY® Interactive Patient Education System
The more patients understand the mouth, the better they are able to maintain oral health. To help patients learn about the importance of consistent dental care, our practice uses CAESY®, or Clinically Advanced Education System, is a virtual, multimedia DVD program that utilizes video clips and 3-D, computer-generated graphics to provide patients with information on the cosmetic, restorative, and preventive dental services we offer. Patients can use a remote control to guide their way through explanations of specific dental procedures during their appointment. It is one of the most thorough and easy-to-understand dental education resources available.
We Offer Nitrous Oxide Sedation for Patient Comfort
Many patients have a natural fear of going to the dentist that may prevent them from receiving necessary dental treatment. Because Dr. Atencio feels it is important for his patients to get the dental care they deserve, our practice offers the option of sedation dentistry in the form of nitrous oxide for people with dental anxiety. Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide helps to induce a state of relaxation, making visits to the dentist more comfortable. The effects of nitrous oxide can be felt within minutes. Levels of the gas can be controlled throughout treatment, and the effects wear off quickly enough for patients to be able to drive themselves home a short time later.
We Offer Affordable Financing Options
We strive to make sure our patients receive the customized dental care they need and work with them to make treatment possible and affordable. For your convenience, we offer a variety of payment methods, including American Express®, Visa®, and MasterCard® credit cards as well as low interest, low monthly payment financing options through CareCredit®. We also work with most dental insurance plans and help you obtain the maximum use of your benefits.
Contact us today to learn more about the insurance and financing options that are available to you, as well as our senior discount.
Contact Dr. Atencio
At our practice, patients can experience high-quality, personalized dental care in a pleasant and comfortable environment. We invite you to come in and experience it for yourself. Contact Michael Atencio, D.D.S. today to schedule an appointment.
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Michael A. Atencio, D.D.S.
3773 Baker Lane #3
Reno, NV 89509