Meet The Team
Candie Favre
Team Lead/Manager, Mandeville
Candie was born and raised in Marrero, Louisiana where she started her dental career in 1996. She has been a resident of Tylertown, MS since 2007. Candie enjoys working with and building relationships with her patients.
In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends and her fur babies. Candie takes pride in everything she does and loves to put a smile on everyone's face.
Hope Macaluso
Team Lead/Manager, Ponchatoula
Hope has been working in the dental field for 13 years and has been a part of the Pontchartrain Dental team (formerly known as Deep South Dental) since 2015. She has held many positions, from dental assisting to front desk receptionist, insurance verification, and now to office manager.
Hope comes from a big Italian family and lives in Independence, LA with her daughter, Emersynn, and fur baby, Livi. In her spare time she enjoys volunteering with the Sicilian Festival and spending time with her daughter, family and
friends.
Tania Morales
Front Desk/Team Lead, Slidell
Tania has been in dentistry for over 26 years, with a focus in patient treatment plans and insurance. She is known for her well-placed jokes to put patients and her coworkers at ease. Her primary goal is to form relationships with each patient as well as to ensure they understand and maximize their benefits.
Tania is a mother to two adult children and a goofy lab, Briar Rose, as well as a grandmother to two darling girls and three fur-grandbabies. She enjoys chasing after (and spoiling) all her grandchildren, as well as curling up to watch re-runs of Hallmark movies.
Whitney Hughes
Front Desk/Insurance Coordinator, Ponchatoula
Whitney was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and raised in Albany, Louisiana. She commenced her dental career in 2013 as a receptionist. To enhance her dental knowledge and skills, she enrolled in Dental College and in 2016 she graduated from Baton Rouge Dental Assistant Academy. Whitney is committed to establishing rapport with her patients and prioritizing their comfort.
In her free time, she enjoys attending church, spending time outdoors, such as hunting and fishing, and shopping. Additionally, she cherishes the time she spends with her family and friends.
Jodie Geer
Dental Hygienist
Jodie is a graduate from LSU Dental School and has been practicing dental hygiene for 51 years! She absolutely loves it and loves connecting with patients.
She is originally from New Orleans, but considers herself to be a Hammondnite. She has been here for 45 years. Jodie loves to be with family and enjoy trips to their family camp on the river or to the beach.
Judith Bono
Dental Hygienist
Judith Bono graduated from Louisiana State University in 1997 with an A.S. in Dental Hygiene, and in 1998 with her bachelors. She likes gardening, working out, riding bikes with her husband and volunteering at her church. Getting to know her patients on a personal level is her favorite part of the job. Helping them be healthier is her other favorite part.
Leslie Schneider
Dental Hygienist
Leslie graduated from Louisiana State University in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene. In her spare time, Leslie enjoys spending time with her husband, her daughter River, and her two dogs. Leslie likes to dance, sing karaoke, and travel. She enjoys taking care of her patients and helping them understand that a healthy mouth can lead to a healthy life.
Tara Matte
Dental Hygienist
Tara is a very seasoned Hygienist with over 30 years of experience. She is very passionate about educating patients on how dental hygiene is related to overall health. The highlight of her career is establishing personal relationships with patients in order to build trust. She enjoys her Catholic faith and is a very dedicated mother and grandmother.
Tracy Turner
Dental Hygienist
Tracy is originally from Franklinton, Louisiana and graduated from LSU School of Dentistry in 1998 in Dental Hygiene. Over the past 27 years, she has been dedicated to creating a positive dental environment for all of her patients.
During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family. She is excited to say that she is expecting her first grandchild in June, 2025!
Tristan Mitchell
Dental Hygienist
Tristan is a dedicated dental hygienist with over 10 years of experience helping patients achieve healthy, confident smiles. Known for her gentle approach and attention to detail, Tristan is passionate about patient education and preventative care.
Outside the clinic, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their two children, embracing a life full of family, laughter, and balance.
Callie Comeaux
Dental Assistant
Callie was born and raised in Belle Chasse, La. She has been in the dental field for 3 years. She loves building personal relationships with her patients. Callie has three little ones who she enjoys spending time with.
Jamie Buchert
Dental Assistant
Jamie has worked as a Dental Assistant since 2022. Her pursuit of the dental field was sparked by her own dental journey. From extractions, orthodontic treatment, and other restorative work, she can empathize with our patients! Jamie did go to dental assisting school to receive her education on dental procedures and radiographs, but most of her training has been hands-on. That said, she is familiar with some of the newest technology dentistry has to offer.
In Jamie's spare time, she enjoys her pet cats and dog. She likes country and Christian music. She is also studying to be a licensed mental health professional one day.
Jessica Wallace
Lead Dental Assistant
Jessica Wallace is an experienced Expanded Duty Dental Assistant, serving patients with care and dedication since 2015. Originally from Petal, Mississippi, Jessica is passionate about helping others feel confident in their smiles and ensuring a comfortable dental experience.
Outside of work, she loves cooking, spending quality time with her family and kids, and enjoying the great outdoors.
Madison Ross
Dental Assistant
Madison is originally from Zachary, LA but lives in Robert now. She is EDDA & CPR certified and has worked as an Expanded Duty Dental Assistant for 12 years. What she loves most about what she does is watching her patients gain confidence through assisting in improving their smiles!
She is a mother of 4 and enjoys spending her free time with her family, cooking & taking care of her plants.