LA VERNIA - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Lead Registered Dental Assistant
• Member of the AGD

Debbie is one of those rare gems to a team.... she has been with Dr. Simmons's since 1985! When you meet Debbie, you can't miss her great smile, positive attitude, and gentleness during dental treatment. As the lead dental assistant, she has a wealth of knowledge about all dental procedures and about state-of-the-art technology that she teaches to our clinical team. She received her training at the San Antonio College of Medical and Dental Assisting School. She is married to Patrick and they have 3 children. As Dr. Simmons right hand, she is a tremendous asset to our team! Dr. Debora Ayres graduated from the University of Texas Health San Antonio School of Dentistry at the top of her class. While there, she received an award for consistent, superior performance and extraordinary dedication and was also nominated by the Dean to teach clinical skills to sophomore dental students. She completed two doctorate degrees, as well as a post-doctorate degree in advanced general dentistry from UTHSA. During her residency, Dr. Ayres trained in advanced dental procedures, including wisdom teeth extractions, dental implants, bone grafts, etc. She is also certified to provide IV sedation at a level that only a select few general dentists are trained to do, and she has accumulated over 350 hours of continuing education. She is a member of the: ADA, TDA, AGD, ADSA, Seattle Study Club, and Lone Star Sedation Study Club. Dr. Ayres is fluent in English, French, and Portuguese. When not practicing dentistry, she enjoys practicing yoga and living a healthy lifestyle with her family. Dr. Ayres is a member of the AGD, ASDA, ADA, TDA, UTHSCSA Study Club and the Lone Star Sedation Study Club. Dr. Ayres is fluent in English, French and Portuguese When not in the office, Dr. Ayres enjoys spending time with her family, trying out new restaurants, being out in nature, and traveling.

Dr. Simmons was born in San Antonio into an Air Force Family. After his birth, He traveled with his family to Oregon, Wyoming, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Hawaii, and Okinawa. He graduated from St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas in 1978 with a BA in Biology. Upon graduation, he was a Pharmaceutical Rep for Mission Pharmacal and then Purdue Fredricks. He was then accepted into the dental program at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, where he graduated in 1984. Dr. Simmons briefly associated with Dr. Wade Phelps in Kenedy, Texas, and Dr. Paul Drexel in San Antonio. He was able to open his own dental office in South East San Antonio in April of 1985. Dr. Simmons came out to La Vernia to practice in the Dental Depot from 1999 to 2004. He was able to buy out a retiring Dr. Robert Korth in October 2006, and has since split his time between San Antonio and La Vernia. As of January 1, 2013, Dr. Simmons is closing the San Antonio location and will be in La Vernia full time. Dr. Simmons is a past president of the San Antonio District Dental Society, and is also a member of the Texas Dental Association, the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry. He has over 500 hours of post dental school continuing education. Dr. Simmons has been elected by his peers to be included in the Top Dentists in San Antonio in the Scene in SA Monthly Magazine several years running, and has also appeared as a top dentist in Texas Monthly Magazine. Dr. Simmons recognizes that the accolades are nice, but if the patient does not believe he is one of the best dentists, then the awards mean nothing. The patient is everything. Dr. Simmons is married to Lisa. They have two sons, Chris and David.

Dr. Meredith Mosier earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery with honors from the University of Texas Health School of Dentistry in San Antonio. She then completed an advanced general dentistry residency at Texas A&M Health School of Dentistry in Dallas, where she received specialized training in all aspects of family practice, with a particular focus on orofacial aesthetics and cutting-edge digital dentistry. Known for her kindness, compassion, and gentle touch, Dr. Mosier is dedicated to making every patient feel comfortable and cared for. She is passionate about dentistry and oral health education, believing that a healthy, confident smile is something everyone deserves. Outside the office, Dr. Mosier loves traveling with her husband, painting, and caring for her (very needy) houseplants.