About Dr. Ruby
Staff DirectoryStaff Directory
We are especially interested in making all our patients feel right at home! We put your needs first to achieve efficient and comprehensive treatment. Our staff is trained and skilled, and we strive to provide energetic and fun-loving service to each patient. Each member of our treatment team is a registered assistant, and our office staff has years of experience in treating patients with the highest level of care. We strive to stay abreast of the latest in technological advances by regularly attending continuing education courses and seminars.
Staff Bios
Suzy
Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)
Suzy is a valuable part of the dental team who always performs her duties with a positive and caring attitude. Among Suzy’s duties as a registered dental assistant are teaching hygiene to patients and their families, ordering supplies and assisting both Dr. Ruby and Dr. Rochon. Suzy has enjoyed working with the children in our practice since 1999. She has a son named Elijah, who means the world to her. In her spare time, she enjoys caring for and watching Elijah grow.
Katie
Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)
Lesli
Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)
Susan
Business Manager
With over 17 years of experience in the dental profession, Susan is an indispensable part of the dental team. Because of her genuine personality, exceptional listening skills and mediation abilities, Susan is greatly appreciated by the team. Susan and her husband had the good fortune of raising their two adult children in the Santa Barbara community and being involved in a variety of local school and youth activities. Her love of children makes Drs. Ruby and Rochon’s pediatric practice a perfect match for her. Susan has many hobbies, but her new favorite pastime is her granddaughters, Emily and Kaitlyn.
Jennifer
Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)
Jennifer brings with her a wide variety of experiences from her previous dental homes. We are pleased to have Jennifer on board. Jennifer’s main responsibilities include assisting Dr. Ruby and Dr. Rochon in delivering patient care and helping to maintain the back office area. Jennifer has been an RDA for four years. She is a transplant from the Redlands area and is learning to enjoy Santa Barbara as her husband pursues his education at UCSB. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys spending time with her husband as she learns what there is to do in one’s spare time in Santa Barbara.
Kayla
Registered Dental Assistant (RDA)
Receptionist
Front Office Support
We are pleased to have Kayla as a new team member. Kayla brings with her previous experience in a pediatric dental office from Atascadero, CA. You will find Kayla's bright smiles at the front desk on most occasions but don't be surprised if you see her helping out with patient care. With her diverse experience, Kayla is a great asset to our team. In her spare time, Kayla enjoys spending time with her family and friends while getting to know the Santa Barbara area. Welcome aboard Kayla!
Kelly Rigney
Front and back office Support
If you have been to the office in the last year, chances are that you have met Kelly. Kelly joined our team within the last year and is a great addition. Her winning smile and great enthusiasm make her a perfect fit for the team. Kelly helps out by providing both front and back office support. She completes any task with a great attitude. Kelly is currently studying at Santa Barbara City College where she also participates in cheerleading. We are happy and fortunate that Kelly has granted us some time out of her busy schedule. Welcome aboard Kelly!
Dr. John A. Yagiela, D.D.S., Ph.D.
Dr. Yagiela received his D.D.S. degree from the UCLA in 1971 and his Ph.D. in pharmacology from the University of Utah in 1975. From 1975 to 1981 Dr. Yagiela taught dental therapeutics and pain control at Emory University. He came back to UCLA in 1982 and enrolled as an anesthesiology resident at the School of Medicine. Dr. Yagiela is currently Professor and Chair of the Division of Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences, Coordinator of Pain and Anxiety Control, and Head of the Dental Anesthesiology Residency Program at the UCLA School of Dentistry. He is also Professor of Anesthesiology at the David Geffen School of School of Medicine at UCLA and attendee at the UCLA Center for the Health Sciences. He is an in-office examiner for the State of California for both moderate sedation and general anesthesia. Former positions include: chairman of the Fellowship Committee of the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology, editor of Anesthesia Progress, and editor of The Pulse, the Society’s newsletter. Dr. Yagiela also served previously as president of the American Society of Dentist Anesthesiologists and as president of the American Dental Board of Anesthesiology. He was a member of the American Dental Association’s Anesthesiology Steering Committee and is a consultant to the Council on Scientific Affairs and Commission on Dental Accreditation. Dr. Yagiela is, in addition, lead editor of Pharmacology and Therapeutics for Dentistry and co-author of Local Anesthesia of the Oral Cavity. Past president of the Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology Group and the Anesthesia Research Group of the International Association for Dental Research, Dr. Yagiela is actively engaged in research on pain and anxiety control and maintains a practice limited to dental anesthesiology.