The brief descriptions below are designed to familiarize you with our staff's training, professional credentials and work experience.

 

Alessandra Ritter, D.D.S., M.S.photo

Dr. Alessandra Ritter is an experienced dentist with many years of training and practice in the specialized field of Endodontics.  Dr. Ritter’s initial dental training was completed in Brazil, where she received a dental degree (C.D.) and a Certificate in Endodontics from the Federal University of Santa Catarina in Florianópolis.  After practicing dentistry for 10 years, Dr. Ritter moved to North Carolina with her husband and their two children in 1997.  In Chapel Hill, she completed many years of additional training, and received a D.D.S. degree, a M.S. in Endodontics, and a Certificate in Endodontics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC).  While in training at UNC, Dr. Ritter won a prestigious First Place Graduate Student Poster Research Presentation at the annual session of the American Association of Endodontists for her research on “Pulp Revascularization of Immature Teeth following Dental Trauma.”

Before opening her private practice in Chapel Hill, Dr. Ritter taught at UNC as a Visiting Professor and as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Endodontics, and practiced Endodontics at the UNC Dental Faculty Practice.  Dr. Ritter is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Dental Association, The North Carolina Dental Society, Tar Heel Endodontics, and the American Association of Endodontists.  She is also a member of the Carolina Alumni Association, and has an appointment as Adjunct Professor at the UNC School of Dentistry.

Dr. Ritter’s husband, Dr. André Ritter, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Operative Dentistry at UNC.  They have two children, João “John” Victor and Juliana, and live in Chapel Hill, NC.



 

Evelyn Mendoza, D.M.D.
photoEvelyn is a key staff in our clinic, as the leading Dental Assistant and Clinic Coordinator.  Her training includes a dental degree from the University of the East College of Dentistry in the Philippines (Class of 1976).  Evelyn was a practicing general dentist in Manila when her family moved to North Carolina in 2000.  Since then, she has chosen to dedicate herself at being a Dental Assistant.  Before joining Ritter Endodontics, Evelyn practiced as a Dental Assistant in General Dentistry and Endodontic clinics at UNC Chapel Hill (where she first worked with Dr. Ritter) and, more recently, in private practice as well.  In her free time, Evelyn enjoys gardening and cooking.  She lives in Durham with her husband, Dr. Luisito Mendoza, who also is a dentist and a Clinical Instructor in the Department of Periodontology at UNC.  They have three children, Aldrich, Trisha, and Karizza. 



Vickie Solberg
Vickie is from Buffalo, NY and has lived in Raleigh for 18 years. She brings to Ritter Endodontics over 35 years of experience in the dental profession as an office manager. Vickie’s dental career began as a dental assistant and then she expanded her abilities by attending a trade school in Syracuse, NY to become a dental lab technician.

While employed by an international orthodontic laboratory, Vickie developed a safety program for the company where she interfaced with the 120 employees, management and governmental agencies providing a safer environment for all. She developed a piece of safety equipment for the employees to utilize that it is now being sold internationally.

Vickie was certified as an on-site dental software trainer for Thompson Dental Company. She trained dental offices in North and South Carolina utilizing her expertise in computer software. Her last 16 years have been focused on dental office practice management. Vickie enjoys quality time with her family and friends; especially her granddaughter. Vickie along with her daughters and granddaughter participate in Race For The Cure every year. She loves to dance and to attend outdoor events.





April Yates
April is from Durham. She graduated from Hillside High School with honors and is currently a student at NCCU majoring in business management. She is a member of Phi Eta Signa Honor Society, First Steps Academic Recognition Program - for freshman with a 3.0 GPA or better. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and with Alex her dog and William her boyfriend. April extends her caring personality beyond the dental office into the community by volunteering with the Durham Police Department with her Uncle.

When her degree is completed, she plans to apply for dental school which is her passion. She would like to have a general dentistry practice or possibly specialize in orthodontics or endodontics.

April is an asset to our practice because she utilizes her skills both clinically as a dental assistant and her business management skills as an administrative assistant.


Amanda Gunnels
Amanda is from Chapel Hill, she graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 2009 with a degree in Psychology. In her spare time, she is a swim coach for Chapel Hill Tennis Club and Chapel Hill High School. She loves the beach and playing with her pets.

Amanda enjoys her position with our practice as a clerical specialist. Her great smile and warm personality will make you feel right at home.


















Endodontist - Chapel, Alessandra Ritter, D.D.S. , Chapel NC, 27514 (919) 403-5000