At Vista Ridge Family Dentistry, we take great pride in offering high-quality care to patients in a relaxing, judgment-free environment. We want patients to feel totally at ease in our practice and confident in our ability to help them achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. Our knowledgeable and experienced team focuses on creating personal, one-on-one relationships with each patient to ensure that they feel comfortable sharing their concerns with us. We’re happy that you are interested in learning more about our team, and we can’t wait to get to know you and your family as well! Contact Us
Our Dentists
Max Kerr DDS, D-ABDSM
Max Kerr, DDS, D-ABDSM
After breaking his tooth during a football game, Dr. Kerr’s childhood dentist met him at 11 o’clock that evening to fix his tooth so that he wouldn’t be in pain and could “still smile at the girls.” That extraordinary dental experience led him to attend the University of Texas Dental School in San Antonio — and to become a dentist who provides superior care for Cedar Park families today. Dr. Kerr received his General Dentistry degree in 2007 and spent five years providing dental care for underserved children in San Antonio and Roswell, New Mexico. In May 2013, he decided to take a break from working in the corporate dental world, where he felt patients were treated more like numbers than people. He opened Vista Ridge Family Dentistry with the goal of creating strong relationships with his patients and the community. stevehacks.com Dr. Kerr is an active member of the American Dental Association and is passionate about continuing education. Through his ongoing coursework, he has acquired a strong knowledge base in Level II Conscious Sedation, Six Month Smiles® and comprehensive orthodontics. Outside of work, Dr. Kerr is passionate about personal growth through reading and exercise, but what he enjoys most of all is spending time with his supportive wife, Jeannie, and his adored daughter, Kiran.
Supriya Patel DDS
Supriya Patel, DDS
After her first orthodontic visit at 12 years old, Dr. Patel discovered a new world that combined both her love for art and health care. She continued to volunteer at dental offices and community service events and developed a growing passion for dentistry. Dr. Patel went on to pursue a degree in Biology at the University of Texas at San Antonio and continued on to receive her Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. In June of 2015, immediately after dental school, Dr. Patel completed a one year residency at the Olin E. Teague Veterans Center to pursue an Advanced Education in General Dentistry. Her experience provided her with the skills to treat more medically complex patients, perform conscious sedation and complete dental surgeries including extractions, place implants and perform minor periodontal surgeries. Dr. Patel is an active member of the ADA and AGD. She is passionate about community service and continuing education in fields including sleep medicine, sedation, and the treatment of periodontal disease. Outside of work, Dr. Patel enjoys spending time running, traveling and spending time with friends and family.
Brandon Hedgecock DDS
Brandon Hedgecock, DDS
As his mother tells it, Dr. Brandon Hedgecock’s passion for dentistry began when he was barely 3 years old and would declare he wanted to be a dentist when he grew up. By high school, Dr. Hedgecock says he was sure, and he went on to obtain his degree in Biology from the University of Texas (Hook ‘Em Horns!) and his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the UT Health Science Center in San Antonio. After graduating, Dr. Hedgecock spent four years in Joplin, Missouri, working with a federally qualified community health center providing dental care to the underserved. He entered private practice in 2011, where he has enjoyed building better, long-lasting relationships with his patients and team. Like some Austin dentists today, Dr. Hedgecock offers oral conscious sedation, an easy and effective way to calm your nerves before your dental appointment. Unlike many other general dentists in Austin, Dr. Brandon Hedgecock has also completed extensive training and certification in intravenous (IV) conscious sedation at Georgia Health Sciences University. If you snore or have sleep apnea, Dr. Hedgecock can also help you get a better night’s sleep with oral appliance therapy. He has become a diplomate with the American Sleep and Breathing Academy and will soon receive the same recognition from the American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine. Dr. H is a member of ADA (American Dental Association), ADSA (American Dental Society of Anesthesiology), and the AADSM (American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine). He is passionate about ongoing education and participates in Study Clubs and takes hundreds of continuing education hours per year. His passion for learning extends outside of work, where he constantly strives to learn more and expand his skill set.
Matthew Dekow DMD, ABGD, FAGD
Matthew Dekow, DMD, ABGD, FAGD
Dr. Dekow was born in Massachusetts and grew up just north of Boston. Growing up, his family was all about spending time outdoors, which is something he still loves to do. Before he decided to become a dentist, Dr. Dekow worked as a biomedical engineer for GE Healthcare. Although he enjoyed his job, he missed regularly interacting with people and felt like he wasn’t contributing to his community as much as he wanted to. Dr. Dekow completed his undergraduate degree in engineering at Duke University in Durham, NC, and his Doctorate of Dental Medicine from Boston University. He completed his residency at Fort Hood and earned his master’s degree in oral biology from the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. He also has experience with forensic dentistry that came from serving in the U.S. Army. Dr. Dekow loves teaching others about dentistry, and he spent a year as a mentor and Assistant Director of a general dentistry residency program, which allowed him to teach residents. He also enjoys teaching patients about their own oral health, as well as teaching different tips and tricks to other providers. Helping others is what he loves to do and what motivates him every single day. In his free time, Dr. Dekow loves hiking, biking, and exploring different parks in the Austin area. He also loves to ski whenever he has a chance to travel up north, and skiing in the Alps is high up on his bucket list. Dr. Dekow’s wife, Amanda, grew up near a lake in Michigan, and they enjoy bringing their two children, Parker and Kate, to Lake Travis and other local lakes and rivers. The Dekow family also has a Wheaton Terrier named Gracie, who always enjoys joining their adventures whenever she can.
Bano Ali DMD
Bano Ali, DMD
Dr. Ali was born in Pakistan and moved over to Houston at the age of 8. While she moved to Texas at a young age, Dr. Ali is no stranger to Austin as she completed her undergraduate degree in Public Health at the University of Texas. During her time at UT, she fell in love with dentistry due to the impact dentistry has in changing lives and smiles. After completing her undergraduate degree, Dr. Ali spent some time in California to complete dental school. She received her Doctorate of Dental Medicine from the Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA. Dr. Ali also proudly completed a residency through the Veteran Affairs in Palo Alto. After her time away, Dr. Ali has returned to Austin to serve the community that inspired her. Dr. Ali is thoughtful and passionate about helping others and loves to solve new challenges. She aims to educate her patients as much as possible in their health and advocates for their well-being. In her free time, Dr. Ali is just like her patients that enjoy Netflix and cooking. When Dr. Ali gets the chance, she’d like to complete a 5k and then take on a half marathon or do something less physical like see lighthouses off the shore in Maine or relax in Greece.
Our Staff
Tatiana Loomis Hygienist
Tatiana was born and raised in southwest Russia. She moved to the U.S. in 2002 and Austin in 2010. She attended Darton College in Albany, GA, for her dental hygiene degree. Tatiana chose to work in the dental field because she loves creating strong relationships with patients and helping them improve their quality of life. Tatiana believes that the best piece of advice she has ever received was to become a dental hygienist. Outside of the office, she enjoys dancing, live music, and walking nature trails.
Kisha Arnold Front Office
Kisha was born in Fort Hood and grew up in Copperas Cove, where she still lives. She worked in the medical industry for six years before transitioning to the dental field. Kisha loves being surrounded by positive, supportive coworkers and always strives to greet patients in a positive and friendly manner to help ensure that they have great experiences in our office. When she’s not at the office, Kisha enjoys spending time with her two children, Ayesha and Eric, relaxing, swimming, traveling, and enjoying life.
Kiley Burton Dental Assistant
Kiley is from Austin originally and grew up in Burnet. She attended Burnet High School before earning her dental Registered Dental Assistant certification from Austin Dental Assistant School. Kiley knew she wanted to work in dentistry because a person’s teeth are one of the first things she notices about them. While working with Kiley, you can expect her to strike up a fun conversation with you during every visit. Outside of the office, Kiley loves being outside, working out, hiking, swimming, roller skating, and playing basketball.
Kelley Chandler Front Office
Kelley was born and raised in Muskegon, Michigan, and moved to Killeen when she was 19 years old. Once she found her way into the field of dentistry, she realized how much she enjoyed the work and decided to stay. It’s always her hope that when patients walk through the door that they see the friendly, smiling faces in our office, and some of their anxiety is relieved. In her free time, Kelley enjoys going to the beach, reading historical fiction, and spending time in her backyard with her six chickens.
Heather Nixon Dental Assistant
Heather was born in Austin, raised in Elgin, and currently resides in Hutto. She decided to pursue a career in dentistry after taking an aptitude test and following the results. As it turns out, Heather loves being a Registered Dental Assistant and providing quality care for her patients. Her favorite part of her job is making patients feel comfortable and happy while helping them maintain their oral health. In her spare time, Heather enjoys spending time with her husband, two children, and two dogs.
Brandon Lacy Dental Assistant
Brandon was born in Waco but grew up in Austin. He attended Manor Dental Assistant School for his Registered Dental Assisting certification. Brandon enjoys working in the dental field because he loves helping others and believes that having a healthy smile is incredibly important. He also makes sure to listen to each patient’s concerns carefully to provide them with the best care he possibly can. Outside of the office, Brandon enjoys playing basketball and working out.
Emily Kruger Dental Assistant
Emily was born and raised in Round Rock and graduated from Austin Dental Assistant School in 2017. She always knew that she wanted to pursue a health-related profession and she loved going to the dentist, even as a kid. It was the dental team at the practice she went to for 15 years who ultimately encouraged her to give dentistry a try. Emily loves making patients laugh and believes that visiting the dentist doesn’t have to be such a serious experience. In her free time, Emily enjoys cooking, country dancing, spending time with family, and going to dog parks with her two black labs, Luke and Tucker.
Jennifer Starr Hygienist
Jennifer is a born and raised Texan. Always keenly interested in understanding how things work, a love for biology and an interest in healthcare led to a career in dentistry. Jennifer loves explaining the “why” in the dental treatment process. If you’ve ever wondered why we recommend a particular treatment plan, Jen is the person to help you understand it! Outside of the practice, she loves spending time with her husband and two kids, Memphis and Phoenix, and catching up on much needed zzz’s.
Kayla Whited Dental Assistant
Kayla was born and raised in Lockhart and currently resides in Liberty Hill. She attended Dental Genius Assisting School in Liberty Hill for her dental education. Kayla chose a career in dentistry so she could help patients feel confident about their smiles, and she loves bonding with each patient and making their dental experiences as stress-free and pleasant as possible. In her free time, Kayla enjoys working on crafts and spending time with her friends, family, and her two Yorkies, Libby and Bently.
Aleysha Swoboda Hygienist
Aleysha is a Midwest girl—she grew up in a small town in Iowa and recently relocated from Minnesota. She graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato in 2016 with a BS in Dental Hygiene and a minor in Food and Nutrition. Aleysha is continuously staying educated on the latest research and techniques concerning her patients’ oral health. She is certified in nitrous administration and CPR. For Aleysha, the best part of this job is getting to know her patients and caring for them as a whole person. She loves educating and seeing patients’ hard work pay off through improved oral and overall health. Aleysha is a proud wife and dog mom. She’s been married to her husband, Derek, for two years and they have a lab-collie mix named Chance, who is basically their first child. When she’s not in the office, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, hiking, reading a good book by the pool, exploring Austin, and watching sports.
Sarah Lloyd Lead Hygienist
Sarah was born and raised in Texas and has been working with Vista Ridge Family Dentistry since 2013. She loves everything about her job, especially interacting with patients, caring for people, working with a great team, and learning new things every day! Sarah is married and has two amazing kids, Gracie and Alex.
Nicole Wallace Lead Dental Assistant
Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Nicole considers herself a true “Austinite”. Nicole graduated from a small charter school where she walked with only 24 other people! From there she took a few college courses at ACC including psychology and math. She ended up at Austin Dental Assistant School and graduated in July 2016. Her favorite part of her job is seeing the patients who come in and are completely silent, hesitant and anxious, and eventually begin to smile, laugh, relax and start cutting their own jokes. She loves being a part of that break through transformation and building that trust and relationship. In her free time, Nicole considers herself an outdoor person. She loves being at the lake with her family and seeing her boys enjoy the hobbies she used to, like dirt bike riding and sports. Nicole cherishes family time and building memories as a family (with a little “me time” in between). Nicole is currently engaged, and her and her fiancé have three boys – one is 5 and two are 4. They also have a nutty Chihuahua mix named Milo.
Tara Mayberry Front Office
Tara remembers that she loved going to the dentist as a child, and that led her to become a registered dental assistant as an adult. Tara embraces the Vista Ridge mission of making our patients feel like family, and we love having her on our team because of her joy for helping patients feel at ease. When Tara isn’t hard at work helping our patients achieve healthy smiles, she loves spending time with her husband, son, and daughter.
Shelby Moreno Front Office
Shelby, a born and raised Texan, loves her job! She chose to work in dentistry because she wanted to help people regain their confidence and love their smile. Every day, Shelby raises our patients’ spirits and helps them achieve their dream smile. When she’s not promoting smiles, she enjoys the outdoors and her two young sons. Someday, she hopes to explore the world and maybe go to Jamaica. In the meantime, we’re happy to have her as a part of the Vista Ridge team!
Alice Hernandez Front Office
Alice is from Lamesa, TX and currently lives in Lubbock. She is very detail-oriented and does her best every day to make sure that patients are able to get the most out of their dental benefits. Alice loves what she does and the people she gets to work with on a daily basis. Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with family, cleaning, and painting. She also has a miniature Yorkie named Itsy and a Yorkshire Terrier named Trixie, both of whom she enjoys hanging out with in her free time.
Leah Fulgium Dental Assistant
Leah was born and raised in Seguin and lives in Killeen with her husband, Spencer, and their mouthy Schnauzer, Porter. Leah values having a stable career and securing her future, which is what led her to attend Texas State’s dental assistant training program. She loves seeing patients smile after their treatment is complete and feels it is important to maintain a positive attitude while explaining dental procedures. When she’s not in the office, you can usually find Leah spending time with friends or laying on the couch and watching the Twilight Saga on repeat.
Valeria Cosme Dental Assistant
Valeria was born in Puerto Rico and lives in Harker Heights. She has always known she wanted to work in a health-related field and was inspired to pursue a career in dentistry because of her sister, who is a registered dental assistant. Valeria attended Harker Heights High School and Austin Dental Assistant Academy for her dental training. She loves everything about her job, especially helping patients and making their experiences fun, so they look forward to coming back. In her free time, Valeria enjoys playing with her son, Jayce, and spending time with her boyfriend, Jalen.
"This office is AMAZING!! The front office staff is kind and caring. Dr. Kerr and Dr. Patel are so patient and caring as well. Being one that has serious dentist anxiety, Dr. Patel was comforting and reassuring that I was in the right place and she would take care of me. She and Sarah (my amazing hygienist) did just that. Thank you to Dr. Patel and Sarah for getting me through it!!"- LeAnn V.
"Recently my dentist I have gone to for years closed their practice and was recommended to Vista Ridge Family Dentistry. Couldn't be more satisfied with the smooth transition that Dr. Kerr and staff provided on my first visit. I had an apprehension due to going somewhere new, but quickly was put at ease with the friendly atmosphere upon arrival to the professionalism given during treatment."- Bob M.
"I was at Vista Ridge Family Dentistry for cleaning. It was my first time there and was completely satisfied with the precautions being taken at this time due to Covid-19. The Dr. and the dental hygienist could not have been more kind and careful. Thanks for making me feel comfortable."- Ruth C.
"I am so glad to have come to Vista Ridge Dentistry. Very kind, made me feel very comfortable and most professional. All of the employees, as well as Dr. Patel were very carrying. I felt very lucky to be at this office. A five star plus for certain."- Horace P.
"The folks at Vista Ridge Family Dentistry are amazing. They were friendly and welcoming. They spent time explaining what they were doing and why. Dr. Kerr and Nicole answered my questions and helped make a plan for my dental needs. I fully recommend Vista Ridge Family Dentistry."- Daniel C.
