Meet Our Team

Hi everyone! I’m Patty Valin, a team member of NDC since 2014. Being here with Dr. Nevins and this incredible group has given me a platform to continually combine my passion for health, wellness, exercise and nutrition with service to others!

When my son and daughter became school age, I pursued a dental hygiene curriculum of study and graduated in 2003. After years of moving as a military family, my husband and I yearned to settle in a city we both loved. This desire became reality in 2014 when we moved to Boston. Two dreams fulfilled! A new home and a rewarding professional position.

At NDC, I take great satisfaction in creating and maintaining lasting connections through our ongoing care. From consistent patient file review prior to their visit, to hearing about their personal milestones in life, it is exciting and deeply moving to witness patient improvement of oral health challenges and see how it impacts their overall lives!

I am so grateful to be working with the best doctors and staff under one roof and providing the most comprehensive care possible. I love seeing the transformation in our patients over the years (yes, sometimes decades!) and contributing to their safe and positive dental health experience.

This is my continued motivation. This is why I serve.

Mary Ellen Maney RDH Registered Dental Hygienist and adjunct clinical instructor for the Middlesex Community College Dental Hygiene program I am a graduate of Forsyth School for Dental Hygienists and Northeastern University with 40 plus years practicing in the field of dental hygiene. I love what I do!

I love practicing the skill of dental hygiene. I enjoy working with individuals to help them understand oral health. It is inspiring to see the tissue response when inflammatory agents are removed and to witness the wonderful results of successful oral treatment and dental restoration.

When I am not working, I enjoy observing nature, being together with family and practicing tai chi. Currently, I am taking classes in the sport of fencing.

My name is Evangelia, and I am a dental hygienist at Nevins Dental Center. I graduated from Forsyth Dental Hygiene School at MCPHS University in Boston in 2018. Outside of work, I value spending time with my family, especially my two nephews, and close friends.

I am originally from Greece and love traveling, learning new languages, and experiencing different cultures. I stay active through dance, hiking, and camping, and I enjoy sports, especially soccer. In my free time, I enjoy crocheting and other creative pursuits.

I share my home with my Shih Tzu, Daisy, who brings joy to my everyday life and keeps me smiling and on my toes, outside of the office.

My favorite part of my job is helping patients feel at ease while supporting their oral health. I enjoy building connections with patients and seeing them grow through different stages of life. Patient comfort and trust are always my top priorities.

I began my journey in dentistry after graduating from Mt. Ida Junior College in 1980 with a degree in Dental Assisting and Office Management. After working in the field for several years, I took time away to focus on raising my three daughters as a full-time mom.

Dentistry has always been close to my heart, and returning to the profession allowed me to combine my experience, organization skills, and love of patient care. I truly enjoy being able to contribute to the many different roles within a dental practice. Helping people smile with confidence is what makes my work so meaningful.

Over the years, I’ve gained knowledge across many areas of dentistry. I surprised myself by especially enjoying Oral Surgery, and today. I love assisting with implant procedures and working with modern technology such as printing surgical guides. I especially enjoy working with the growing advancements in dentistry and being part of a field that continues to evolve.

Outside of work, family is everything to me. I have been happily married for 45 years and am blessed with three married daughters and seven wonderful grandchildren who keep my husband and me very busy. In my free time, I enjoy beekeeping, going to the beach, long walks, kayaking, and cooking for my family. I love staying active and spending as much time outdoors as possible.

“My favorite part of my job is helping patients feel comfortable and confident about their
smiles.”

With 28 years of experience as a Certified Dental Assistant, Veronica brings exceptional clinical expertise along with a naturally warm and engaging personality that patients instantly appreciate. Her gentle touch, upbeat energy, and reassuring presence help create a calm, comfortable, and stress-free experience for every patient she cares for.

Veronica takes pride in helping patients feel confident about their smiles and supported throughout their visit. Her dedication to both precision and compassion is what makes her such a valued part of the team.

Outside the office, Veronica loves to travel, explore new restaurants as a true foodie, and enjoy FaceTime dates with her daughter in NYC – her favorite way to stay connected.

Salma began her career in dentistry after completing her dental assisting training at a vocational high school. With over 20 years of experience in the field, she has developed extensive knowledge and clinical expertise, particularly in restorative and prosthodontic procedures. Her long-standing dedication to dentistry reflects her passion for helping patients restore both the function and beauty of their smiles. Salma is known for her professionalism, precision, and compassionate approach to patient care. 

Salma specializes in assisting with prosthodontic procedures, including crowns, bridges, veneers, dentures, full-mouth restorations, and implant-supported prosthetics. She is highly experienced in chairside assisting, impression techniques, temporization, digital scanning, and maintaining seamless workflow during complex restorative cases.

Her attention to detail and efficiency ensure that both patients and providers feel confident throughout every step of treatment. Outside of the office, Salma enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She is also a proud dog mom to her beloved pup, Milo, who keeps her active and smiling. Salma believes that creating a welcoming and supportive environment, both at home and in the office-makes a lasting difference in the lives of those around her.

“My favorite part of myjob is seeing the confidence patients gain when they smile again.”

Valentina Reyes is a Dental Assistant with five years of clinical experience. She began her journey in dentistry while attending a vocational high school, where she completed her dental assisting training. Starting her education early solidified her passion for patient care and hands-on clinical work. Valentina finds great fulfillment in helping patients feel comfortable, supported, and confident in their smiles, particularly those who may feel anxious about their visits. She values being part of a team that emphasizes compassion, education, and high-quality care.

Her primary clinical focus includes assisting in orthodontic and endodontic procedures. Valentina has experience supporting orthodontic treatments, including bracket placement and adjustments, as well as assisting with root canal and endodontic therapies. She is known for her attention to detail, efficiency in chairside support, and ability to create a calm, reassuring experience for patients. Clear communication and patient comfort remain central to her approach.

Outside the office, Valentina enjoys spending time with family and friends. She loves traveling, exploring new restaurants, cooking, and staying active. In her free time, she can often be found planning her next adventure or unwinding with a good show — balance that helps her bring positive energy into the practice each day.

“My favorite part of my job is helping patients feel comfortable and confident in their smiles.”

I am an oral surgical assistant and EMT who is passionate about patient care. I became interested in oral surgery about five years ago, drawn to the hands-on clinical work, the fast pace of the specialty, and the opportunity to make a real difference in patients’ experiences during surgical care.

I work closely with Dr. Amini-Salari and the clinical team during procedures, help manage sedation and anesthesia protocols, and make sure patients feel comfortable, informed, and supported throughout their visit. My background as an EMT has given me strong emergency response skills and confidence in surgical settings. I enjoy being part of the surgical team, take pride in my attention to detail, and genuinely care about creating a positive experience for every patient.

Outside of work, I value staying active, learning new skills like playing golf, and spending time with my two boys and husband. Traveling the world and trying out new restaurants are always on my top to-do list!

Shannon Collins is a Treatment Coordinator with deep roots in dentistry, having started her career at just 15 years old working with Dr. Nevins’ father. With years of hands-on experience, Shannon is passionate about helping patients feel comfortable, informed, and at ease throughout their treatment journey.

Outside of work, she’s a busy mom of four and brings that same warmth and patience into everything she does. “So there’s that!”

I have over 20 years of experience in customer service and more than 13 years in the dental field. I knew early on that I wanted to work in a role where I could truly connect with people, and dentistry has allowed me to combine compassionate care with exceptional service.

What inspires me most is building lasting relationships with patients and being part of their journey toward better oral health. What I enjoy most about my position is building trust with patients and helping them feel at ease during their visits. Being able to support someone through their dental journey and seeing their confidence grow makes my role truly meaningful. I feel grateful to be part of a team that prioritizes both clinical excellence and genuine patient connection.

I am passionate about creating a welcoming environment where patients feel heard, respected, and cared for.

My areas of focus include patient communication, scheduling coordination, treatment support,
and ensuring each visit flows smoothly from start to finish. I especially enjoy working with patients
who may feel nervous about dental treatment and helping them feel calm and informed. With my strong background in customer service, I take pride in anticipating patients’ needs and delivering a personalized, thoughtful experience every time.

Outside of work, I am passionate about fashion and creative expression. I love spending time with
my children and making meaningful memories together. Our puppy, Noodles, keeps our home full of energy and joy.

With 41 years of experience in dentistry, Liz brings extensive knowledge and a genuine passion for patient care to our team. She began her career as a dental hygienist in 1983, practicing for five years before continuing her journey in the dental field in additional roles that expanded her expertise.

Liz’s favorite part of her position as Patient Coordinator is building meaningful relationships
with patients. She truly enjoys meeting people, getting to know them, and helping ensure they feel comfortable and supported throughout their dental experience.

Outside of work, Liz enjoys staying active, working out, and spending time with her three dogs. Originally from Florida, she makes it a priority to visit home as often as possible to see her family and cheer on her favorite Florida professional sports teams.

Anna Luong serves as a Patient Coordinator & Assistant, bringing a unique background in emergency medicine as an EMT-B and a degree in Stem Cell Biology from Harvard University. Her passion for dentistry stems from a deep fascination with the body’s healing processes and the mouth’s connection to overall health. Through her work at Nevins Dental Center, Anna has furthered her clinical and patient-care experience and is currently pursuing her goal of attending dental school.

She enjoys supporting patients both administratively and clinically, allowing her to build meaningful relationships while contributing to the care experience. Highly organized and task-oriented, Anna is fluent in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Vietnamese.

Outside the office, she loves cooking, spending time with family, playing board games, and exploring new cultures – recently planning a trip to South Korea.