Meet the Team

Dr. Ash

Diplomate, American Board of Periodontology

Dr. Ash is a Board Certified periodontist, practicing in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Texas. He earned his periodontology diploma from the University of Michigan and is specialized in treating gum disease, dental implants and regenerative surgeries. He is licensed to perform IV moderate sedation and high-risk anesthesia.

Dr. Ash studied general dentistry at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, where he earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery. Six months after opening his private practice in Tehran, he immigrated to the United States and interned at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) periodontics program. Soon after, he was accepted at the University of Michigan periodontology residency program to specialize in gum surgery. After graduation, he chose to live in Dallas, Texas, and establish his practice.


He has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed scientific dental journals and has been highly cited by dental researchers. He is a proud recipient of the Dr. and Mrs. Steven Meraw Periodontal Scholarship and is a member of the Dallas County Dental Society, the Fort Worth District Dental Society, the American Dental Association and the Michigan Periodontal Association.

Kyle Young, DDS

Dr. Young attended college at the University of the Pacific, where he earned his Bachelors of Science as well as his Masters of Science in biology. He then continued his education and received his Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. He then moved his family to Dallas, where he completed his residency for an Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD).

Dr. Young is a lifelong learner and regularly attends continuing education courses. Dr. Young is passionate about the prevention of cavities, dental implants, aesthetic dentistry and patient education. His goal is to provide all of his patients with a comfortable dental experience while providing an aesthetic outcome.

He is a member of the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, Dallas County Dental Society, Academy of Ossteointegration and American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

In his spare time, Dr. Young likes to enjoy the outdoors. He grew up in the Boy Scouts and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 2008. He enjoys camping, fishing, hunting and playing sports. His favorite sports include football and rugby.

✞ Dr. Lyndel Stripling (1948-2021)

Beloved husband, father and grandfather, Lyndel Cates Stripling, 73, passed away on August 25, 2021. He was an accomplished dentist for 45 years and the heart of our team at Lake Highlands Dental. Dr. Stripling graduated from Baylor College of Dentistry in 1976, where he was selected as Outstanding Senior by the Delta Sigma Delta fraternity. After graduation, Dr. Stripling began a private practice in Longview, Texas, where he served as president of the Gregg County Dental Society and the Land of Pines Dental Study Club. He began his Dallas practice in 1988 and was active in the Dallas County Dental Society. Dr. Stripling held a fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry and was a lifetime member of the American Dental Association® and the Texas Dental Association.

A few of his numerous hobbies included singing, sculpting, photography, bow hunting, ranching and traveling across the world. He is survived by his wife, Kathleen, and their six children and seven grandchildren. He will be missed.

Gabriella Fontes, DDS

Dr. Fontes grew up in the North Dallas area. She earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from Texas A&M Baylor College of Dentistry. She majored in English and Journalism at the University of Texas Austin. She enjoys individualizing treatment plans that are both aesthetic and functional for her patients, while also providing compassionate, comprehensive care. She has an adorable baby daughter and speaks Spanish as well.

Meet Our Team


At Lake Highlands Dental, our friendly team is here to make your visit with us a positive experience. Our team members are skilled in caring for your smile and have the knowledge you depend on to answer your questions. We have a diverse team with members who speak English, Spanish, Cambodian and Farsi to ensure that our dentists can effectively treat the members of our community. You can learn more about our dental team below, and if you would like to meet them in person, call our office at 214-613-1279 for your dental appointment in Dallas, Texas.

Ana Fernandez

Practice Manager

Ana’s passion for dentistry began in 1995 when she started as a dental assistant. She has experienced almost every position in a dental office and is motivated by providing quality care for patients. From maintaining meaningful relationships with patients to exercising exceptional management with colleagues. Caring for patients isn’t her only passion in a dental office. Ana is an expert in working with insurance companies. Ana is dedicated to providing you with the personalized, quality dental care you deserve. In her free time, Ana loves spending quality time with her daughters, running and dining with friends. She has also paced for numerous local races as a member of Craig Ranch Running Club.

Sheila Boren

Patient Coordinator

Sheila has over 16 years in the dental industry! She helps our patients with their insurance, payments and financing. Sheila likes getting to know our patients and helping them work out the financial aspects of their dental care. She loves to see them smile! Sheila is blessed with two sons. When she is away from Lake Highlands Dental, she enjoys playing bingo, shopping, and watching her son play sports.

McKenzie Brewer

Administrative Assistant

McKenzie joined our team back in 2022. She works in our reception area, and you probably have heard her calling your name over the phone. She feels like Lake Highlands Dental is like a family and every member is close to each other. She comes from a big family and has five brothers and one sister. in her free time, she enjoys playing tennis and any outdoor activity. She went to Africa last summer for a charity trip and is planning to go again this year!

Pinny Sy

Dental Hygienist

Pinny has been with our practice for more than 20 years, and she holds a Bachelor of Science in dental hygiene. Pinny endeavors to provide outstanding quality of care to our patients, and she is proud to be part of a team of talented coworkers. Originally from Cambodia, she arrived in the U.S. in 1981 and speaks Khmer. She is married and has three girls, and she loves spending with her family.

Maria Jose Diaz (Maho)

Registered Dental Assistant

Maho joined our practice in late 2022. She graduated as a dental hygienist in Los Andes University in Venezuela back in 2018. She works as a dental assistant, specializing in assisting surgical procedures and IV sedation. Her dad is a maxillofacial surgeon and she shares the same love for teeth and dental care like her dad. She loves to meet new patients and treats them the way she would like to be treated if she was in the chair. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family and her boyfriend. She has two adorable dogs, Jerry (born 2020) and Luna (born 2022).

Marian Vielma

Dental Assistant

Marian joined our practice in August 2021. She studied at Health San Antonio CE for dental assisting. Marian appreciates that the Lake Highlands Dental team cares a lot about patient care and provides everything necessary to be able to give patients the best care they need to have better dental health. She loves being a part of this practice and having the opportunity to help people.

Marian got married in April 2022 to her lovely husband, David. In her free time, she loves to read, exercise and travel.

Leticia Gutierrez

Dental Assistant

Leticia, one of our dental assistants, excels at making patients feel comfortable before and after their visits. She graduated from Skyline High School Career Development Center and holds a certification in dental assisting from the Floral Culture Cluster. Leticia loves spending time with her kids. She has three boys, Messiah, Israel and Isaac, and she had a girl in October 2020 named Victoria! She enjoys watching her two oldest children compete in football.

Dr Sajjad Ashnagar
Contact
214-613-1279

8610 Greenville Ave., #150
Dallas, TX 75243

hours

MONDAY – THURSDAY

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

FRIDAY

8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

SATURDAY

By Appointment Only