Longview Office
3665 US-259 Longview, TX 75605 (903) 704-0154
Tyler Office
1520 Rice Rd. Suite #100
Tyler, TX, 75703
(903)-597-2201
MEET THE TEAM
We don’t just say we’re different; we mean it! And you can see that difference in everything we do. Our commitment to excellence is threaded into our beliefs, our mission, and our promises to you. Our staff of fully trained professionals provides a dental experience unlike any you’ve experienced before, because our goal is to make your visit free of stress, anxiety, and pain.
Doctors
D.D.S.
Dr. Travis Kendall received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Ohio State University in 2008, graduating at the top of his class. He then bought his first practice in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, and a year later acquired a second practice in the same area. Over the next eight years, Dr. Kendall and his team built these locations into highly successful practices. In 2012, he completed an additional year of training at Miami Valley Hospital, and in 2016, he became a Master of the College of Sedation. He’s one of only a few hundred dentists in the state of Texas licensed to administer I.V. sedation. He has and continues to take hundreds of hours of continuing education in dental implants and technology, and has successfully placed over 1,000 dental implants to-date. He credits much of his success to the love and support of his wife Jennifer.
D.M.D. / Longview
Dr. Gengel is our newest partner at Texas Sedation Dental & Implant Center. He’s been an associate in our Longview location for over three years, as well as a partner in our Hallsville Texas Family Dental location for two years. In May of 2020, Dr. Gengel partnered with Dr. Kendall in our Longview and Tyler locations.
Dr. Gengel grew up in Bellevue, Nebraska. After high school he attended the University of Nebraska and graduated with a degree in biological sciences. Dentistry brought him to Glendale, Arizona, where he earned his Doctorate of Dental Medicine from Midwestern University. Upon moving to East Texas, Dr. Gengel trained in I.V. sedation and became proficient in endodontics. He’s passionate about digital dentistry and guided implant surgery, and uses the latest technology to create surgical guides and implants that allow for impressive precision. He dedicates much of his time to being a lifetime student of dentistry by attending continuing education courses to ensure his patients receive the highest quality care.
In his spare time, Dr. Gengel enjoys running, sports, spending time at the lake, hiking, traveling, and relaxing with family and friends.
Dr. Kirk Hampton
D.D.S. / Tyler Location Only
Now celebrating over 35 years in dentistry, Dr. Hampton received his dental degree from Baylor College of Dentistry in 1984 and has helped people achieve spectacular smiles ever since. In 2006, Dr. Hampton was one of a select few dentists in Texas to be inducted into the Fellowship Academy of General Dentistry. He’s also a member of the Dallas County Dental Society, American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, and has attended both the Center for Advanced Dental Studies and the Accelerated Dental Learning Center of Atlanta. Dr. Hampton loves what he does and is excited to be a part of your dental journey. When not working, he has a farm in Texas that consumes much of his free time.
Dr. Yong
D.M.D.
Dr. Candace Yong and Dr. Eric Vetter moved to East Texas together from Glendale, Arizona, where they attended dental school at Midwestern University. They met during dental school and eventually married in Sedona, Arizona. Dr. Yong was raised in Omaha, Nebraska and attended the University of California San Diego for her undergraduate degree. She has previous experience as a dental assistant before attending dental school, after which she became I.V. sedation-certified because she wanted to offer patients a more comfortable dental experience. Outside work, she and Dr. Vetter love to travel, and have provided dental care to people in need in Honduras, Mexico, and Tonga through different organizations. Their goal is to get involved with local volunteer work and continue giving back to the community. Outside work and volunteering, Dr. Yong enjoys trying new foods and exploring the outdoors via hiking, kayaking, and camping.
Dr. Rickers
D.M.D.
Dr. Rickers with his lovely wife, Yulia, and their 2 small boys came to East Texas after graduating from Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health in May of 2021. While in dental school he had the privilege of practicing dentistry as a senior in many different communities from Idaho, Montana, Wisconsin, and Northern Arizona. Dr. Rickers is passionate about addressing the unique needs and concerns of every one of his patients by delivering the most suitable treatment possible. Before finishing dental school, Dr. Rickers met his wife, Yulia, at Utah Valley University while completing his Bachelor of Science in Exercise Physiology and working as a personal trainer. He enjoy spending time with his wife and two boys, camping, hiking, rock climbing, shooting, biking, snow-skiing. Dr Rickers and his wife are very excited to be a part of the community and are looking forward to rising their sons in East Texas!
Staff
Jennifer
Chief Financial Officer
Jennifer grew up in a small town called Bountiful, just north of Salt Lake City, Utah. As the third of five children, she has been the “peacemaker” throughout her life. Jennifer and Dr. Kendall met at the University of Utah in 2000 and eventually married. With her education and background in business and marketing, Jennifer supported Travis during his early years of dental study, but once they had their first child together, she became a full-time homemaker and child rearing specialist (the most difficult job of all!). Now that all six of their children are full-time students, Jennifer dedicates her time to marketing and running the practice.
Taylor
Scheduling Coordinator / R.D.A. / Phlebotomist
Taylor is a registered dental assistant and our scheduling coordinator. She has been working in dentistry since 2007. She moved from the small town of Crandall to East Texas, and comes from a huge family of 10 siblings and 18 nieces and nephews (and counting!). She enjoys spending time with her daughter, friends, family, and fur baby Dolly. She also enjoys anything outdoors, watching any activities her daughter is involved in, and shopping. She’s excited to be a part of our team and can’t wait to continue building new relationships with present and future patients.
Betty
R.D.A. / Phlebotomist
Betty is a registered dental assistant who has worked in dentistry for over 14 years, doing everything from dental assisting to hygiene coordinating to office management. She and her family moved from Utah to East Texas in 2011 and love the Longview area. Betty is passionate about helping patients with their dental needs, and her favorite thing about working in our office is helping patients overcome their fear of the dental chair and getting their smile back! Outside work, she loves spending time with her three kids, Ellipsis, Joe, and Masen, as well as their fur baby. Her family keeps her busy, but their favorite way to unwind together is by going bowling.
Amber
Longview Office Manager / R.D.A
Amber is our patient care advocate and a registered dental assistant. She was born and raised in the small East Texas town of Marshall. She was a stay-at-home mom for 11 years to take care of her two kids, Cade and Sloan, but always had dreams of entering the dental field. So in 2014, she graduated with her RDA and has enjoyed working in dentistry ever since. She loves inspiring others, cruising down the Caddo River, back roading, trail riding, and hanging out with family and friends.
Erika
R.D.A. / Phlebotomist
Erika is a registered dental assistant who graduated from Texarkana College in 2010 and has enjoyed working in the dental field for many years now. She continues to follow her passionate dream of becoming a hygienist. Outside work, Erika loves being a mom to her 5-year-old girl, Malary. She also enjoys karaoke, cookouts, deer hunting, and spending as much time with family as possible.
Crystal
Registered Dental Hygienist
Crystal is a registered dental assistant who graduated from Tyler Junior College in 2007 and has been a hygienist for over 11 years. Her passion is to be part of a team that believes in whole-body health, and to help patients better understand dentistry. She was born and raised in East Texas and is now raising her two daughters, Madi and Mollee, in Hallsville. Outside work she enjoys watching Madi cheer on Friday nights and Mollee play softball.
Kourtney
R.D.A. / Phlebotomist
Kourtney is a registered dental assistant who graduated from Eastex Dental Academy in 2013 and has worked in the dental industry ever since. She was born and raised in the East Texas area, and met her husband, Max, when they were in high school. They now have two beautiful daughters together, Katherine and Hattie. Kourtney loves animals, and their family has a rescue dog named Greg and two Sphynx cats named Gertie and Gideon. Outside work, Kourtney loves traveling with family and friends, kayaking, hiking, and spending time outdoors.
Rayann
R.D.A. / Phlebotomist / Back Office Manager
Rayann is a dental assistant and phlebotomist. She graduated from Gilmer high school in 2014, and later went to Eastex Dental Academy in Longview, where she received her registered dental assistant certification. She went back to school at Tyler Junior College in 2017 to become a dental hygienist as well. Rayann has also worked in the veterinary field and has a huge love for all animals. She currently has three hairless cats she adores, and also loves golfing and spending time with her family.
Cara
Tyler Office Manager
Cara is our insurance coordinator and enjoys the challenges of dealing with insurance companies because it means she can help our patients utilize and maximize their dental insurance benefits. After living in the Dallas area for 15 years, she found her way back home to East Texas to be near family. She currently lives in Lindale and enjoys traveling, kickboxing, and running in 5ks.