Alba             Shannon

        Vanessa                Perla

Happy Holidays 2009

Perla Prieto  
Treatment Coordinator

Duties: Sees all the new patients and coordinate their treatment and I perform overall front office duties.
Have worked in the field of orthodontics since: 1994
Have worked with Dr. Austin since: Aug. 2008

Duties: Front Desk Ambassador! I am the first smiling face that our patients see when they walk through our doors!  I strive to sweep people off their feet and be the best part of their day! I keep the scheduled appointments flowing and I help patients with all of their appointment needs. 
Have worked in the field of orthodontics/dentistry since: 2004
Have worked with Dr. Austin since: August, 2006

Favorite things about the practice of orthodontics: Being a braces “survivor” as a child and an Invisalign™ client many years later I know firsthand the positive impact great teeth can have on your confidence and health. What an easy way to make a huge impact – why wouldn’t I want to be a part of that?
Favorite thing about working with Dr. Austin:  Having a Boss who is approachable, laid-back, very intelligent, and fun to be around helps make my job so much more enjoyable and easier to call it "work".  I'm sure I am going to learn a lot from him.
Favorite things about my job: It would have to be the entire team! Time flies when you’re having fun! Everyone is easy-going, extremely hard working, and focused on total patient care.  I love learning new things from my teammates.  I also really enjoy getting to know the patients personally and help making their orthodontic experience more enjoyable.  Patients and their families become a part of our family because we see them every several weeks - - - I like having such a beautiful family!

Native of: Washington, DC 
Have lived in: Los Angeles, CA since 2008
Non-work activities include: Traveling, hiking with friends, reading (especially “Twilight”), singing & dancing.

Nancy Birchall
Clinical Assistant



Duties: I prepare the patients for braces and assist Dr. Austin in caring for the patient’s needs.
Have worked in the field of orthodontics since: 2000
Have worked with Dr. Austin since: June 2008

Favorite things about the practice of orthodontics:
I like seeing each and every patient’s smile change.
Favorite thing about working with Dr. Austin:
Dr. Austin provides a comfortable environment for
 both patients and employees.
Favorite things about my job: I like knowing that I
help make a change in so many people’s lives.

Native of: South Bay 
Have lived in: Redondo Beach, CA since 1997
Non-work activities include: I enjoy roller-skating at the beach and snowboarding during the winter.
Additional:  CONGRATULATIONS! Nancy just had a beautiful baby Girl, Iliana, on March 6, 2009! 


Alba Garcia  
Front Office/Clinical Assistant


Duties: To help with the personal journey of each patient to fulfill their great smiles.
Have worked in the field of orthodontics since: 1992
Have worked with Dr. Austin since: January 2009 

Favorite things about the practice of orthodontics:
I love watching the changes each patient makes with every visit.  You see their confidence grow as their smile gets better and straighter.  :)
Favorite thing about working with Dr. Austin: I enjoy Dr. Austin's laid back attitude and care-free view.  He wants the best for his patients and his staff!  He cares enough to stay on top of all the new high-tech advances orthodontics has to offer.  I appreciate him for all that he does to make my job more enjoyable and fun!
Favorite things about my job: The favorite thing about my job is the one-on-one personal relationship I have with each patient.  I love knowing that I am making a difference in their life forever.  I love the transformation each person goes through as their teeth get straightened.  They have more confidence in themselves and smile A LOT more each time they see us!  A straight, bright smile is a gift for a life time!!  A chance to be involved in that is something I have grown to appreciate and love as an Orthodontic Assistant!

Native of: Norwalk, CA
Have lived in: Norwalk my whole life!  :)
Family members: Richard (husband), Kayla (Daughter), Hayley (Daughter)
Non-work activities include: I love watching my daughter's play club soccer! Every weekend is an adventure!
Additional: As a family we love going to the beach and camping with our extended family in the summer.  During soccer season we have soccer tournaments in different cities around the country - so traveling is always a blast!  I'm looking forward to the college showcases for my oldest daughter in the next few months!

Marybeth Watson
Clinical Assistant



Duties: Assisting Dr. Austin in all orthodontic procedures as well as taking care of the office’s sterilization needs.
Have worked in the field of orthodontics since:  2003.
Have worked with Dr. Austin since: February 2008.

Favorite things about the practice of orthodontics: Helping patients achieve a better and healthier smile.  Watching patients grow up.
Favorite thing about working with Dr. Austin: I work with a great doctor who is kind and genuine.  He's smart and easy going. Very good with patients and cares for his staff.
Favorite things about my job: I work for an awesome boss.  We have a great team atmosphere. We have fun at work and the view is not too bad

Native of: Southern California
Have lived in: Reno, Nevada. Now rooted in Santa Monica, CA with my dog and boyfriend.
Non-work activities include: I love anything to do with being outdoors: wake boarding, snow boarding, swimming, running, hiking, and camping. I love going to the movies and nights out on the town. I have a beautiful French Bulldog named Bruiser who takes up most of my time.


Margareth Mena
Clinical Assistant/Sterilization


Duties: Assisting Dr. Austin in all orthodontic procedures as well as taking care of the office’s sterilization needs.
Have worked in the field of orthodontics since: September 2008.
Have worked with Dr. Austin since: September 2008.

Favorite things about the practice of orthodontics: I really like the practice of Orthodontics because it puts a beautiful smile on many individuals regardless of age. I believe Orthodontist are very much like artists because they use their knowledge and creative technique to meet the unique needs of every patient.
Favorite thing about working with Dr. Austin: Dr. Austin is a very intelligent and well respected individual. It is a great honor to work beside Dr. Austin because it helps me gain valuable information about the field of Orthodontics, as well as in my own personal life. One of my most favorite things about Dr. Austin is his passion for what he does and how much he care about every patient.
Favorite things about my job: I love working in the field of Orthodontics because it provides me with the opportunity to interact and help the patients with their orthodontic needs. One of the reasons I really enjoy doing what I do is the cheerful and happy atmosphere of the office. It is always my pleasure to work beside a great doctor and wonderful staff.

Native of: Armenia
Have lived in: Santa Monica since 2002
Family members:  Armen (father), Hasmik (mother), Anna (sister), Sofia (sister)
Non-work activities include: I love living an active life. I am a very outgoing and open-minded person who tries to live every single moment of life to its fullest. I love playing basketball, tennis, and soccer with my friends. I also like to swim and listen to music. Being a multilingual in Spanish, Armenian, and Russian helps me communicate with many different people from various backgrounds.