Dr. Huyssoon
Owner, General Dentist
Dr. Huyssoon, owner dentist and formerly an associate of SFCD, earned her dental degree from OHSU School of Dentistry in 2005. She holds undergraduate degrees in Chemistry from University of San Diego and Biology from Portland State University. Dr. Huyssoon proudly served as a US Army Reservist and California National Guard member while pursuing her education. Born into an Army family, she spent her early years in South Korea, Texas, California, and throughout the Portland Metro area before attending college in San Diego. Married to Scott they share the joy of raising two remarkable teenage children, Braydon and Savannah, and caring for their lovable dogs, Ruby and Ash. Beyond her dental practice, Dr. Huyssoon is an avid gardener, enjoys cooking for friends and family, is learning the art of golf, relishes long walks in nature, and practices defense shooting at the range. Her passion for travel extends to exploring history, culture, and cuisine of various places across the U.S. and other countries. Committed to continuous improvement, Dr. Huyssoon actively seeks ways to enhance her own life and that of those around her, including her patients. She engages in self-improvement through attending lectures, listening to podcasts, and reading books on positive mindset and lifestyle improvement for optimal health.
“I became a practitioner because I’ve always wanted to help cure people, but when I fell and broke my jaw and several teeth over 25 years fate lead me into dentistry. It’s the best career I could have ever chosen. Giving people a smile, helping patients navigate their dental fears and make them feel comfortable is so rewarding.”
Dr. Gallegos
Associate General Dentist
Dr. Gallegos, a 2005 graduate of the OHSU School of Dentistry, brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to SFCD. With two adult children and a recent joy of becoming a grandmother, family holds a special place in her heart. Beyond dentistry, Dr. Gallegos thrives on adventure, and an active lifestyle. Summers often find her paddle boarding on the scenic offshoots of the Willamette River or indulging in yoga sessions under the warm rays of the sun. Her love for exploration extends to faraway destinations where she enjoys scuba diving and unwinding on the tropical beaches. Dr. Gallegos holds a special affection for Mexico, considering it her favorite vacation spot. She revels in the rich tapestry of experiences the country offers, from savoring the delectable cuisine to appreciating the warmth of its people and the breathtaking scenery. An interesting fact about Dr. Gallegos is that before her dental journey, Dr. Gallegos served as a probation office in her hometown of Boise, Idaho.
“I love making people smile with confidence.” – Dr. Gallegos
Dr. higgins
Associate General Dentist
Dr. Higgins, a dedicated and attentive practitioner, is deeply committed to delivering high-quality comprehensive dental care to his patients. In addition to his dental degree from OHSU School of Dentistry, he pursued his undergraduate studies at OSU, majoring in Biology Health Science with a minor in Chemistry. A proud supporter of the Oregon State Beavers, Dr. Higgins hails from Portland, where his active lifestyle includes playing basketball, paddle boarding on Oregon’s waterways, jogging to his favorite music, and exploring hiking trails with his girlfriend, Nina. An enthusiastic supporter of local Pacific Northwest sports teams, especially the Portland Trailblazers, Dr. Higgins also takes pleasure in attending music concerts with friends and his girlfriend. While he typically enjoys warm and sunny places like Hawaii and Thailand, he also appreciates the culture and culinary delights of Japan.
“Growing up I was self-conscience about my smile, I never smiled in pictures. After having braces my smile helped give me self-confidence. I want to help people be proud and confident about their smile and themselves.” – Dr. Higgins
Diana
Dental Assistant
Diana is one of our friendly chairside Spanish-speaking dental assistants. Known for her excellent rapport with patients, she brings comfort and compassion to each interaction, ensuring our patients receive the highest quality care. Her exemplary organizational skills, reliability and calming presence make her the perfect patient advocate for nervous or fearful patients that are unsure of their dental treatment plan. She was trained at Concorde Career College at Portland. Raised in Silverton, Diana cherishes moments spent with her family and finds joy in the playful company of her two dogs, Luna, a German Shepherd, and Sol, a Chihuahua/Terrier mix. For exercise she enjoys walking the dogs and swimming. Someday she hopes to take a tour around France or Greece so she can savor the diverse culinary delights from that part of the world.
“I’ve always loved going to the dentist, so I try to make everyone’s visit as nice as possible.” – Diana M.
Sara
Dental Assistant
Sara, another one of our exceptional chairside assistants, takes great pleasure in connecting with our patients and tailoring their dental experiences. Initially serving as our sterilization tech, Sara quickly discovered her desire to directly help patients through chairside dental assisting. Demonstrating dedication, she diligently studied and sought training from our doctors to attain her expanded function dental assisting (EFDA) license. Beyond the dental realm, Sara’s interests span a variety of activities, including horseback riding, hunting, traveling, and spending quality time with her children, Cassidy and Brandon. Traveling and exploring are her passion, so much so that she started her own travel planning business. Her favorite vacation destinations are Disney World and Universal Orlando, which she is on expert on. Sara grew up in Seattle and moved to Salem in 2021.
“After previous bad experiences at the dentist, I wanted to help other people feel more comfortable during their visits.” - Sara H.
Kristina
Office Manager
Kristina boasts nearly 35 years of extensive dental expertise, having served in roles both at the front desk and as a former dental assistant. Her invaluable contributions ensure seamless operations by bridging communication between the front and back offices, ultimately enhancing our ability to deliver optimal care to our dental patients. In addition to being an incredibly supportive wife, Kristina effortlessly fulfills the roles of a devoted mother and grandmother to five children and six grandchildren. Amidst the whirlwind of responsibilities, she skillfully carves out time for her personal interests, engaging in the creative pursuits of sewing and gardening. Kristina finds peace and relaxation in camping adventures with loved ones whenever a spare moment arises in her busy schedule. On her bucket list of dream destinations are Costa Rica, Butchart Gardens, and Iceland, where she hopes to witness the mesmerizing Northern Lights someday. Born and raised in the picturesque Willamette Valley it’s no wonder she’s attracted to some of the most breathtaking places in the world.
“As a high school student, I took an intro to medical/dental. I had the opportunity to work for a dentist during the summer. They trained me on the job to be an assistant. I am passionate about helping others.” -Kristina M
Kristy
Financial & Insurance Coordinator
Kristy, a faithful and hardworking member of the Salem Family & Cosmetic Dentistry team for an impressive 17 years, brings a unique blend of seriousness and dry humor to the office, infusing it with lighthearted fun. Originally from McMinnville, she currently resides on a charming mini-farm in the Millersburg area with her husband of 15 years, 2 pre-teens, an audaciously confident rooster, four sheep, and . Despite her serious demeanor at work, Kristy’s life outside of the office is a dynamic blend of responsibilities and leisure. She plays the role of dedicated mommy chauffeur, shuttling her daughter to numerous extracurricular activities while enjoying podcasts and staying alert with sips of Dutch Bros Coffee. Kristy finds solace in gardening, the warmth of a bonfire, and weekend brunches with friends. In those rare moments of peace and quiet, Kristy indulges in online shopping and much needed catch-up sleep. Kristy is an avid traveler and has visited numerous places throughout the world but has most enjoyed the serene beauty of Costa Rica.
Cinthya
Receptionist
Cinthya, a proud native of Portland, Oregon, and a fluent Spanish speaker, has recently joined Salem Family & Cosmetic. As she works on her prerequisites for dental hygiene school, she is immersing herself in the intricate operations of a dental office. Beyond her professional aspirations, Cinthya finds joy in reading, exploring new places, and embracing the great outdoors. As the seasons change, you’ll discover her reveling in summer adventures, from riding ATVs and wet bikes to exploring hiking trails. With the onset of winter, she eagerly anticipates hitting the slopes of Mt. Hood and venturing into the world of snowboarding. Cinthia has also caught the excitement of attending Portland Timbers games, a recent interest she thoroughly enjoys. In the realm of travel dreams, she envisions someday getting to explore the scenic wonders of Switzerland. Cinthya brings a spirit of curiosity and adventure to both her professional and personal pursuits. We are happy to welcome Cinthya as one of our new members at the front desk.
Tracy
Dental Assistant
Tracy possesses a wealth of knowledge gleaned from over two decades in the field of dentistry, where she has skillfully navigated roles at both the front desk and as a chairside assistant. Her dynamic lifestyle mirrors her multifaceted professional background, encompassing activities such as gardening, biking, and indulging in her passion for collecting Dachschunds. On a warm summer day, Tracy delights in spending quality time with friends, either embarking on wine tours or basking in the joys of water-related activities swimming, snorkeling, or wakeboarding. Her earlier years were spent in Long Beach, California, where she had the opportunity to dabble in the entertainment industry spotlight and appeared on an episode of “Fresh Prince of Bel Air” and various commercials. Tracy dreams of someday exploring the picturesque, serene waters of Jamaica or Bali. We are excited to welcome Tracy as our newest member at Salem Family & Cosmetic Dentistry.
“I enjoy working with community and restoring healthy smiles.” – Tracy C.
Debbie
Dental Hygienist
Debbie, our loyal and dedicated hygienist, has worked her entire 26-year dental career at Salem Family & Cosmetic Dentistry. Born in England, Debbie moved to Redding, California at age eleven. After relocating to Oregon, she earned her B.A. in Dental Hygiene from Oregon Institute of Technology. Her decision to pursue dental hygiene elicited amusement from her family, considering she used to be terrified of teeth. Overcoming this fear, she has provided our patients with exceptional care for more than 25 years. Apart from her professional accomplishments, Debbie cherishes memory-making moments with her new twin grandchildren, a precious gift from her son, Aeden. In addition to these heartwarming family moments, Debbie embraces the art of leisure, finding solace in the pages of a good book, embarking on adventurous hikes with her husband, Shannon, and savoring the pleasures of retail therapy. If given the opportunity to travel anywhere in the world, Debbie’s dream destination would be an island in the Mediterranean.
“I have always wanted to help people. Dentistry gave me the option to work with amazing patients, to educate and form great relationships.” -Debbie W.
Laurie
Dental Hygienist
Laurie is a kind-hearted and easy-going hygienist, who adeptly communicates the significance of dental care without resorting to lectures or inducing any feelings of guilt in patients. She understands her patients’ individual dental needs and helps them improve their dental habits by providing them with knowledge to better care for their teeth and gums. Graduating with a Bachelor’s in Dental Hygiene from OHSU in 1996 and holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology from OSU. Her affection for animals is great, particularly for her dog, Squirt and two cats, Star and Moon – though she confesses she does not particularly care for mice and does not mind when her cats bring her proof of a job well done! Originating from Springfield, Oregon, Laurie finds joy in the company of her husband of 25 years, Nick, and two adult daughters, Corinne and Miriam. For some leisurely fun, Laurie enjoys going to weekend estate sales with her mother. Her dream vacation is flexible in location, as long as it promises scenic beauty. With a warm-hearted nature, Laurie enriches both her professional and personal life with genuine love for people, animals, and special moments with her family.
“I got into dentistry because I like being involved in healthcare, that isn’t life or death. I wanted a career that would allow me to have plenty of family time.“ -Laurie.
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Contact our team today to create a patient care plan that is best for you.