Can you remember what you wanted to be when you grew up? Ask a kindergartener that question, and you might hear answers like superhero, fireman, or teacher. Tanya Perez, lead dental assistant at 7 to 7 Dental & Orthodontics, would have told you that she wanted to work in a dental office. 

Tanya was fascinated with dentistry even as a young child. She was that kid who played dentist with her dolls, she admitted. Unfortunately, her teeth were prone to cavities, so Tanya encountered her family dentist, Dr. Flores, frequently. While that experience could have triggered a negative association, his kindness and gentle care instead attracted her to the profession. She remembers his allowing her to visit the assistants and hygienists in the back of the office and explaining the instruments and procedures.  

“He made a huge impression in my life,” she said. “I am in dentistry because of him.” 

Fascination with the technical aspects of dentistry and willingness to help others are reasons she was promoted to lead after just a year at the Stone Oak Office, located at the corner of Stone Oak Parkway and Evans Road. She joined the group in June of 2020, despite being pregnant with her now 8-month-old son. 7to7 Dental remained partially open for emergencies in the early months of Covid, and fully reopened to once again provide routine care last summer. Tanya and her older three children had recently returned to San Antonio to help the grandparents who raised her in their declining years, but after they passed, Tanya was ready to get back to work.

Tanya had previously worked as a dental assistant in an office in Conroe. She brings 14 years of experience helping dentist perform procedures like root canals, filings crowns. She particularly enjoys making temporary crowns and takes great care to craft them ensure a comfortable fit and pleasing cosmetic appearance. Tanya even developed a polishing technique that she’s taught her co-workers, another reason she was an obvious selection for promotion. 

“Dentistry is an art, not just a skill,” she said. 7 to 7 Dental uses an intraoral scanner to create impressions for crowns digitally. Not only is this procedure more comfortable, the technology reduces turnaround time. Tanya was already accustomed to the digital scanner from her previous position, so her experience helped incorporate its use at 7to7 Dental. 

7 to 7 Dental is a local business, grown in 12 years from the practice of one dentist and six staff, which now employs 240 San Antonio community members. Co-Owners Dr. Winburn and Justin Coke live in Stone Oak with their families and are part of the community. 

Visit 7 to 7 Dental’s website at 7to7dental.com or call 210-495-2000.