Our Staff

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.

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.

Peter Z. Tawil, DMD, MS, FRCD(C)

Diplomate, American Board of Endodontics

Dr. Peter Zahi Tawil started out his college career in Mechanical Engineering at McGill University in Montreal. He then pursued his studies in Dentistry at the Université de Montréal where he received his DMD in 2004. During his time in dental school, he co-founded Montreal’s Homeless Street Youth Dental Clinic, for which his team was rewarded the ADEA Quest for Excellence in Dental Education Award. In 2004 he continued his studies at the University of Rochester where he completed his degree in Advanced Education in General Dentistry. In 2008 he completed his specialty training in Endodontics at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating with a Masters in Endodontics.

With his active involvement in Endodontic research, Dr. Tawil has several publications and received a research grant from the American Association of Endodontists Foundation in 2005 for his master’s thesis project: “Periapical Microsurgery: An In-Vivo Evaluation of Root-End Filling Materials”. He received the NC-AADR Derek T. Turner Graduate Research Award and the American Association of Endodontists Resident Award during his residency.

After completing his studies in Chapel Hill, Dr. Tawil worked as a specialist in private practice in Montreal while serving as an adjunct faculty member at McGill University. He also served as the endodontic expert witness for the quality inspection committee of the Quebec Dental Board. Dr. Tawil has lectured both nationally and internationally. He is currently a speaker for the American Association of Endodontists, a mentor for the College of Diplomates of the American Board of Endodontics, serves as an examiner for the Royal College of Dentists of Canada and teaches as clinical assistant professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Dr. Tawil is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Dental Association, The North Carolina Dental Society and the American Association of Endodontists. Furthermore, Dr. Tawil is a Fellow of the Royal College of Dentists of Canada and a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics.

He married Dr. Laura Davies-Ludlow in 2010 and they currently live in Chapel Hill.

Evelyn Mendoza, D.M.D.

Evelyn 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.

Marie Roberts

Marie is from Chapel Hill and the Office Manager for our practice. She brings over 30 years of experience in the dental profession as an administrative manager. She received a Certificate in the University Management Development Program in 2002 from the University of North Carolina Training and Development Program. Before joining Ritter Endodontics she worked at the UNC School of Dentistry where she first met Dr. Ritter.

Outside of work, she enjoys reading, collecting cookbooks and trying new recipes, traveling and most of all spending time with her family and friends. She resides in Chapel Hill with her husband, Eugene. They have two children Eric and Whitney.

April Y. Speed

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