☆ Meet The lone star tEAM ☆
Cara Smith, RDH – Dental Hygienist
Cara received her dental hygiene degree in 2017 from Texas Women’s University where she graduated at the top of her class. She joined our practice in 2020 and immediately became a part of the Lone Star family. She was born and raised in Allen and has thoroughly enjoyed continuing to build lasting relationships with patients in her home town. Cara currently lives in Melissa with her husband and their two fur-babies, Honey and Maple!
★ What inspired your career in dental hygiene? My mom has worked in dental offices since before I was born so I kind of grew up in dentistry. I knew from a young age that I wanted to work in the dental field, but it was when I was much older that I chose the preventative side of dentistry because of the unique opportunity to build and grow relationships with patients.
★ What are your favorite hobbies? I enjoy listening to Audible books! I especially love getting book recommendations from patients. I love a wide variety of genres.
★ If you were a super hero, what would your power be? Mind reading. I would love to better understand how people are feeling and how to comfort them.
Gretchen Estep, RDH – Dental Hygienist
Gretchen started her college education at Texas Tech in Lubbock for her pre-requisites in dental hygiene. It was there that she met her fiancé, Zach. She then attended Texas A&M College of Dentistry and graduated with top honors. She grew up in South Carolina and moved to Texas 7 years ago. She considers Texas to be home! Outside of work, she loves to spend time with her fiancé and their sweet lab, Sunny!
★ What inspired your career in dental hygiene? Growing up, I always admired my dental hygienist for being able to encourage me to have better oral hygiene. As I got older, I realized I wanted to encourage people in the same way she encouraged me. I love educating and helping patients while also creating lasting relationships.
★ What is your favorite motivational quote? “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!” I put this on my ID badge during dental hygiene school.
★ What are your favorite hobbies? I love to read, work out, and travel- especially to a ski town!
Paige McElvain, RDH – Dental Hygienist
Paige graduated from the Texas A&M and Baylor College of Dentistry Hygiene program with top honors. She met Dr. McElvain by being seated near him during their college orientation and the rest is history! Her and Dr. McElvain opened the practice in 2015 and worked fiercely to make it the practice that it is today. She is originally from Sunnyvale, TX and currently lives in Allen with Dr. McElvain and their two beautiful children, Nixon and Audrey!
★ What inspired you to be a dental hygienist? I have always had an interest in teeth and often notice someone’s smile before anything else. I loved the concept of being able to create relationships with patients while also educating them on their oral health.
★ What is your favorite meal? Sea bass or red snapper and lobster mac and cheese! Cotton candy ice cream from TCBY for dessert!
★ What are your favorite hobbies? I love to travel with my family, organizing, and working out!