MEET YOUR COACHES

Mercedes’s path into dentistry was anything but traditional. After leaving a job that no longer fulfilled her, without a backup plan, she opened the classifieds and stumbled upon an administrative position at an endodontic office. With no experience (and after quickly Googling what a root canal was), she took a leap of faith. What began as “How hard could it be to answer the phone?” quickly turned into a deep appreciation for the complexity of running the front office of a dental practice.

She soon discovered that dental administration was far more intricate than she ever imagined. Managing the front desk meant coordinating countless moving parts, ensuring every system flowed smoothly, and keeping the practice operating efficiently. Her natural organization, problem-solving abilities, and love for structure helped her grow into the role of Office Manager. She later transitioned into a general and cosmetic practice, where she served as Office Manager for nearly 15 years.

During that time, a casual conversation with a dental assistant changed everything. When the assistant mentioned a friend starting a dental consulting company, something clicked. Mercedes thought, “How amazing would it be to help other office managers run their practices smoothly and stress-free?” That introduction led her to Kelly.

As the company grew, with more coaches and more practices coming on board, Mercedes naturally transitioned into what she loves most: managing operations behind the scenes. She ensures that every detail of the client experience runs smoothly and that the coaching team has everything they need to deliver exceptional support.

Donna began her dental career in the 1980s with no prior experience and an open mind about where life might lead her. While studying business administration, a friend connected her to a local dentist who needed an assistant. She was hired on the spot, trained entirely in the practice, and quickly discovered a natural passion for the dental field. Encouraged by her doctor to continue growing, she pursued dental hygiene school and graduated from NYU in 1993.

Donna’s clinical journey took her through general dentistry, periodontics, and ultimately pediatrics, where she found her greatest joy working with young patients. While balancing hygiene in both pediatric and general settings, she was asked to step into the role of office manager at one of the largest pediatric practices on Long Island. Leading a team of more than 25 people, Donna embraced the challenge and discovered how much she loved motivating, guiding, and strengthening teams.

It was during this time that Donna worked with her first consultant and realized something important. She loved the idea of supporting practices, building stronger teams, and helping people succeed through coaching that was positive, encouraging, and grounded in real experience. That spark eventually grew into a calling.

Jamie didn’t set out to build a career in dentistry, it found her. While attending college in the year 2000 and unsure of her future direction, she came across a local newspaper ad for a dental assistant position in her hometown of Staten Island. She interviewed, got the job, and learned everything hands-on. Despite entering the field with no background, Jamie quickly became fascinated by dentistry.

She was especially inspired by the hygienist in the practice, the level of care she provided, the relationships she built with patients, and the impact she made every day. That inspiration led Jamie to pursue dental hygiene at NYU, where she graduated in 2005. After relocating to New Jersey, she joined a practice where she worked for many years and eventually became the lead hygienist. In that role, she discovered how much she enjoyed not only caring for patients, but also supporting and mentoring other hygienists to reach their potential.

Jamie’s passion for growth and leadership ultimately led her to Kelly and the world of dental coaching. When Smile Potential was looking for another hygiene coach in 2016, the opportunity aligned perfectly with the path she had been envisioning for herself.