Erika Padilla, RDH

Erika is one of the friendly faces you’ll meet at Smile Dental Center, and though she’s new to the office, she’s already become an integral part of the team. What Erika loves most about her job is working with the incredible staff and meeting new patients every day. Her passion for patient care is evident in her warm and empathetic approach, as she strives to make every patient feel comfortable and supported.

Erika is dedicated to creating a positive atmosphere in the office, fostering strong relationships with both her colleagues and patients. One of her most memorable moments was helping a patient overcome dental anxiety. With patience and care, she guided the patient through a deep cleaning, transforming fear into excitement as the patient began to see positive results in her oral health.

A fun fact about Erika? She holds a black belt in karate—though she’s quick to admit, with a smile, that she doesn’t actually know how to fight! If she could have any superpower, it would be the ability to teleport, so she could whisk her family away on spontaneous vacations whenever they feel like it. When she’s not in the office, Erika enjoys listening to music, with her go-to karaoke song being "Sunday Morning" by Maroon 5.

When not working, Erika loves spending time with her kids and enjoys indulging in a Starbucks vanilla bean danish—her guilty pleasure! She’s also dreaming of taking her family to Japan, particularly to Disney Sea. Erika’s upbeat and kind personality is a true asset to Smile Dental Center, and her dedication to her patients’ well-being shines through in everything she does.