Christine Heckert , R.D.A.

Treatment Manager

Chris has been a part of our dental team since 2007.  She has extensive clinical and administrative knowledge with over 25 years of dental experience. She is a passionate patient advocate and wonderful resource and loves helping people get and stay healthy. Chris's warm energy is felt by all who meet her. She enjoys building relationships and helping people and feels especially rewarded when a previously anxious patient leaves with a smile on their face.  Our patients appreciate how diligently she works to help you maximize and understand your insurance benefits so that you may enjoy the best dental health!  Chris's hobbies include reading and spending time with her husband, their 6 children, and their 10 grandchildren.  When asked if she could go anywhere in the world where would she go, Chris has a list! ;-) 

1.) Japan-the city and the country seem amazing

2.) Scotland and Ireland, her family is originally from there and

3.) Australia and New Zealand--She'd like to try bungee jumping there.

Azita Amir , R.D.H., BS

Registered Dental Hygienist

Azita graduated from University of Maryland Dental School/ Hygiene School in Baltimore, Maryland with a B.S. degree in Dental Hygiene. She has been practicing hygiene for over 27 years and enjoys her profession. She loves educating her patients and is very detail oriented. She considers herself blessed to be able to work with Sukut dental family and share her experience and also be amongst the best ones as well.

She is married and has two children. Her son graduated University of Alabama and her family is a “Crimson Tide” fan. Her daughter graduated University San Diego.  Azita loves traveling and movies with subtitles, just because. Her motto: “ It is what it is.”

Three words she describes as herself: Thankful, Humbled and Grateful.

The one thing she would put on her "bucket" list is going to the Safari.

Shiva Shaminejad , R.D.H.

Registered Dental Hygienist

Shiva graduated the dental hygiene program at Cypress College.  Shiva has been in the dental field for 10 years and practicing hygiene for 2 years.  She has been with the team since 2022 and enjoys working with her co-workers and patients.  She is married with no kids, but hopefully in the future.  If she could be any animal, she would be a dog, just because.  Her favorite hobby is shopping!  

Melissa Travis , R.D.A., O.M.S.A.

Registered Dental Assistant

Melissa is our lead chair-side assistant and has been working alongside our doctors for the past ten years. She is a certified Oral Maxillofacial Surgical Assistant through CALAMOS (California Association of Oral Maxillofacial Surgeons). Melissa’s favorite thing about working at Sukut Dental is being able to visit with her patients. Her love for her patients keeps her job fun and worthwhile. She is fantastic at answering any questions you might have about the treatment needed. She excels at working with patients who are apprehensive and is much appreciated by our patients for her calming demeanor and attentiveness.

Melissa attended school in Michigan. She and her husband have two kids, Zoe who is 20 years old and Mia who is 15 years old. Melissa describes herself as a kind, caring, and compassionate individual. A favorite joke of hers is, “I used to think I was indecisive, but now I’m not so sure."

Sylvia Hernandez , R.D.A.

Registered Dental Assistant

Sylvia has been working with us since October of 2018. She is a graduate of Concorde Career Colleges, Inc. Sylvia and her husband have two kids and she loves spending time with them and her family, as well as going to the movies. If she could describe herself in three words they would be thoughtful, loyal, and sarcastic. The person she admires most is her mom. 

Her favorite quote: "You're never wrong to do the right thing."