Meet Our Staff
John Rich, DDS. - Associate Dentist
Dr. John Rich has been practicing general dentistry in Santa Rosa since 1988. He graduated from UCSF School of Dentistry in 1980. After a short stint as a clinical instructor of Operative Dentistry at that school, he accepted a position in Switzerland, where he ran a mobile dental clinic. His duties included all phases of general dentistry, as well as hospital, handicapped and geriatic dental care. Upon his return to California, he practiced in the Santa Cruz area for five years before relocating to Sonoma County at his current location. He takes great pride in his family oriented practice, which emphasizes strong personal service and relationships with his loyal patients.
Dr. Rich has been married to his wife Patricia for 26 years. She has been an elementary school teacher for 19 years in Santa Rosa. His daughter Stephanie is a senior at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and his son Thomas a junior at Analy High School. Dr. Rich enjoys skiing, tennis, cycling and volunteering in the many school and sport related activities of his children. You can e-mail him at: jrichdds@sbcglobal.net.
Jay Uemura, DDS. - Periodontal Specialist
Junju Uemura, DDS – or Dr. Jay, as his patients and staff affectionately refer to him, received his BS degree in Biochemistry at Cal Poly State University in San Luis Obispo and worked as an analytical chemist for six years before realizing that dentistry was his true calling. He found that periodontics allowed him to combine his love of science with his surgical talent and his natural enjoyment of people.
Dr. Jay earned his dental degree at New York University and completed his specialized periodontal training at University of California San Francisco. Dedicated to providing state-of-the- art periodontal services in a caring and comfortable manner, Dr. Jay has extensive training in dental alveolar surgery, dental implants, and conscious sedation. He has been awarded Board Certification by the American Academy of Periodontology.
Dr. Jay and his wife fell in love with Sonoma Country while visiting the area on a camping trip up the coast and settled here in 2002.
Dr. Don Nuwey, DDS - Root Canal Specialist (Not pictured)
Dr. Nuwey is board eligible and an active member to the American Association of Endodontists.
Dr. Nuwey received his dental degree from the University of Michigan in 2003,
graduating third in his class with honors from the American Association of
Endodontists, the Academy of Operative Dentistry and Omicron Kappa Upsilon.
He went on to complete a hospital general practice residency in 2004 at the
Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Ann Arbor. This was followed by the
completion of postgraduate endodontists specialty training in 2006, also at the
University of Michigan.
During his endodontic specialty program, Dr. Nuwey was awarded the prestigious American Association of Endodontists Foundation Research Grant for an endodontic research project evaluating irrigation efficacy of root canals demonstrated by bioluminescent bacteria. It was recognized as exceptional research by the American Association of Endodontists, received the Dentsly Tulsa Research Award and was published in the Journal of Endodontics. Upon completing his residency, he received the Outstanding Endodontic Resident Award from the Michigan Association of Endodontists, which signified clinical excellence and the research ideals of the association.
Starla Smith - R.D.H. - Registered Dental Hygienist
Starla is originally from South East Alabama and decided to move to Northern California to finish her education. She graduated from Santa Rosa Junior College with a degree as a Dental Hygienist in 2006.
Starla started her dental career by working as a temporary employee which gave her the experience of working in a variety of different dental offices.
She has an expanded hygiene license to practice local anesthesia, soft tissue curettage, nitrous oxide, and laser therapy.
Her hobbies include showing her dogs all over California and the surrounding states, as well as spending time with her husband and new baby boy.
"I have with Dr. Albers for over 4 years and continue to learn from him everyday." You can e-mail me at: starla@drharryalbers.com.
Dalia Bacinskiene - R.D.H. - Registered Dental Hygienist
Dalia is a
proud graduate of Santa Rosa Junior College Dental Hygiene Program’s class of
2005 - the 4th class in the nation. She holds a dental hygiene license with
expanded duties in local anesthesia, nitrous oxide sedation, and soft tissue
curettage.
Dalia has been loyal to Sonoma County; she lived and worked here since she came
from Lithuania in 1995. She is a mother of two wonderful daughters, and still
finds time for her special interests - dancing and teaching jazzercise.
“I am honored to be a member of Dr. Albers dental team. I am looking forward
to learning from his expertise and continuing to excel in providing patients
and the community with preventative care, comfortable periodontal treatment,
and the educational tools people need to maintain their dental health." You can
e-mail me at: dbacinskiene@drharryalbers.com
Jeanne Low , R.D.A. - Office
Manager
Jeanne is a Registered Dental Assistant and has worked in the dental field for over 35 years.
She enjoys the interactions with patients and uses her knowledge and experience to help inform them about their dental treatment, insurance benefits, and making financial arrangements.
"I look forward to meeting you.'You can email me at: jlow@drharryalbers.com
Stacey Lindell - Scheduling Coordinator
Stacey has worked in the dental field for over seven years
" We have such a wonderful staff and I look forward to coming to work each day. I enjoy spending time with my family, friends, miniature horses and my pug Tess." You can email me at: slindell@drharryalbers.com
Sue Lish - Treatment Coordinator/Practice Administrator
Sue has been in dentistry since 1980 when she started making crowns and dentures with a dentist friend in her home town of Cloverdale, California.
From there, she has extended her dental knowledge and experience by becoming a registered dental assistant, front office administrator, consultant, and trainer.
Sue has studied with some of the leading dental professionals in the country and gladly uses that knowledge to inform and educate patients so that they can make good choices in their dental care.
Sue is the proud mom of three beautiful daughters and enjoys, among other things, camping. hiking, road trips, music and cooking.
You can email Sue at: slish@drharryalbers.com
Yvonne DeBaca, RDA– (Not Pictured)
Yvonne is a Registered Dental Assisant and has been working in the dental field for over five years.
Yvonne has experience in both the front office, helping with administrative duties, as well as in the back office, assisting with patient care.
She is currently expanding her knowledge by working with our in-office periodontist. Dr. Jay is helping her learn about tissue and bone grafting as well as placing implants and other gum related treatment.
" I am very proud to be part of Dr. Albers’ outstanding dental team. Interacting with patients and helping them achieve the healthy smiles they deserve is my passion. In my spare time, I teach aerobic kickboxing at my father’s martial arts studio in Santa Rosa. I look forward to meeting you soon."