The Doctors
Dr. Luz Molina
Dr. Molina has been a resident of Reno for more than 20 years. She completed her two-year pediatric dental residency at Columbus Children’s Hospital with a Master of Science Degree from Ohio State University, College of Dentistry. Prior to her pediatric training, she spent two years of additional training in a hospital-based program at Ohio State University. Dr. Molina was awarded the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Graduate Research Award and Pierre Fauchard Academy Recognition for Excellence in Dentistry. She is a licensed Pediatric Specialist in the state of Nevada, and also provides hospital dentistry. She is also a Board Candidate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry.
Memberships
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
- Nevada Dental Association
- Northern Nevada Dental Association
- American Dental Association
Dr. Molina is married to Dr. J Wilkerson and together they have four children: Carter, Thomas, Hamilton, and Lourdes. She and her husband started Dentistry for Kids in 1998 to share their joy of caring for all of Reno’s kids as their own. She is originally from San Juan, Puerto Rico and she is fluent in Spanish. When she is not at the office or helping her son Carter with his fundraising campaign for NuggsForCarter.com, she is actively involved with her kids’ school events and volunteering. She enjoys traveling, scrapbooking and dancing.
Dr. J Wilkerson
Dr. J Wilkerson graduated from the Ohio State University, College of Dentistry in 1993 and taught dental students as a member of the dental faculty from 1993-1997. At the college, he also served as the Children’s Hospital Evening and Weekend Director. He is a general dentist who has limited his practice to children and teens.
Memberships
- American Dental Association
- Nevada Dental Association
- Northern Nevada Concerned Dental Committee
Dr. Wilkerson enjoys biking, fishing and reading in his spare time. In 2015, he completed his first Iron Man and ran the R2R2R (through the Grand Canyon and back, 48 miles). He is married to Dr. Molina and together they have four children: Carter, Thomas, Hamilton, and Lourdes. As stated above, he and his wife, Dr. Molina, started Dentistry for Kids in 1998 to share their joy of caring for all Reno’s kids as their own. When he is not at the office or helping his son Carter with his fundraising campaign for NuggsForCarter.com, he is reading, riding bikes, hiking or training for his next race.
Dr. Emily Whipple
Dr. Emily Whipple is a third-generation Nevadan. She loves having the opportunity to improve oral health care for kids and provide a positive experience. She grew up in Boulder City and attended college at the University of Nevada, Reno. After only three years at UNR, she was accepted into Dental School at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas where she graduated in 2008. Dr. Whipple practiced in Northern Nevada for five years and realized her love of pediatrics, which prompted her to return to UNLV to complete a two-year residency in pediatric dentistry. During residency, she also completed training with Nevada LEND to become a better provider for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities
Memberships
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
- Northern Nevada Dental Association
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
- Nevada State Advisory Committee for Oral Health
Dr. Whipple became a mom in 2016, to her son Fredrick (Freddie). She loves spending time with her family, traveling, and keeping up with popular kid topics so that she can better relate to her patients. In her free time, she enjoys sewing, swimming and playing with her two dogs.
The Staff
Katherine
Practice Manager
How long with DFK: Since 2015. Hobbies: She enjoys shopping and spending time with her grandson, Wes. Favorite thing about DFK: She loves working with the children and the doctors and staff! She also loves being apart of the DFK family. How long she has lived in Reno: She was born and raised in L.A. and then moved to Reno in 1980 and she loves it here with the mountains, lakes, and blue skies.
Johana
Clinical Supervisor
How long with DFK: Since 2005. Hobbies: She enjoys dancing, spending time with her kids and traveling. Favorite thing about DFK: Johana loves that DFK is a fun place to work, and a place where she can be silly with our little patients. Family: Johana has a daughter and a son. How long she has lived in Reno: She has lived here her whole life.
Sara
Dental Assistant
How long with DFK: Since 2016. Hobbies: She loves to spend time with her family and she loves being outside. Sara also loves going to baseball games and playing with her dog, Oreo! Favorite thing about DFK: She loves all the people and families she gets to meet everyday and the fun she has in our office. Family: Sara lives in Reno with her parents and older siblings, she is the youngest of three. She has one niece and 2 nephews that she loves to spend time with. How long she has lived in Reno: She was born and raised in Nevada. Favorites: Her favorite baseball team is the Los Angeles Angels and she loves cows.
Benjo
Dental Assistant
How long with DFK: Since 2012. Family: He was born and raised in the Philippines, and is the oldest of three siblings. At 13, he made a life-changing decision o move to the U.S. in hopes of a better life. After graduating from Reno’s Dental Assisting program, he was hired by Dentistry For Kids in 2012. Favorite thing about DFK: He loves working for DFK because of the family-oriented atmosphere and the quality of care they provide the kids and team members. Hitting the slopes, a good read, and playing video games with his younger brothers are just a few things he enjoys!
Stacy
Scheduling Coordinator
How long with DFK: Since 2015. Hobbies: She loves spending time with family, reading, shopping, being outdoors, playing with her two dogs, traveling, and experiencing new things while meeting new people. Favorite thing about DFK? Hearing what the kids have to say during their appointment is one of her favorite things about this job. They say the best things and their “thank you’s” are genuine. Family: Stacy is married. She has three grown children and seven wonderful and energetic grandchildren. Her and her husband spend a lot of the time doing activities with family. How long have you lived in Reno? She moved to Reno in 2015 from Boise, ID. She is excited to see all that Reno has to offer. Anything else? She loves tropical beaches and palm trees, chocolate too!
Ann
Dental Assistant
How long with DFK: Since 2010. Hobbies: She loves cooking new food, running, and staying in shape. Favorite thing about DFK: Ann’s favorite things about DFK are our patients and her DFK family. Family: She has one son, Daniel and one cat named KJ. How long have you lived in Reno: She has lived her for 18 years. Additional: She loves to dance at 6:00 AM to get her day started and she is an amazing car singer.
Kristina
Dental Assistant
How long with DFK: Since 2010. How long have you lived in Reno: Kristina was born in Las Vegas and moved to Reno 15 years ago. Favorite thing about DFK: She has stayed at DFK because she feels like the quality of care is very high and she just loves working with kids. Family: She is married and has 3 children. Hobbies: Her hobbies include driving kids all over town for their hobbies and vacationing wherever there is an ocean!
Karina
Dental Assistant
How long with DFK: Since 2018. Hobbies: Video games, soccer, hanging out with her dog, Rex. Favorite thing about DFK: Is that we are all like a big family. Family: She has four sisters, one brother, and a baby dog Rex. How long she has lived in Reno: She grew up in Carson City, NV. She decided to live and attend school in another state, but I missed my home!
Kelly
Greeter
How long with DFK: Since 2018. Hobbies: She enjoys camping, yoga, rock climbing, cooking, and just being in nature. Favorite thing about DFK: She loves all the funny things kids say. Family: Kelly has two sisters and one brother. How long have you lived in Reno: She moved here from New Jersey in 2018.
Crystal
Dental Sterilization Tech
How long with DFK: Since 2018. Hobbies: Crystal likes to read, play volleyball, shopping and go out. Favorite thing about DFK: She loves that everyone is like family, and that our doctors and patients are amazing. Family: Crystal has two brothers and one dog, Cauelo. How long have you lived in Reno: She was born and raised here.
Suzanne
Treatment Coordinator
How long with DFK: She started working here recently, but she has known and worked with the doctors since they opened the office in 1998. Hobbies: Suzanne likes to garden, bake and do interior design. Favorite thing about DFK: She loves that there is never a dull moment at DFK, all of the kids have such a fresh look on life. She also loves the staff. Family: Suzanne is married with three grown children and four grandchildren. How long she has lived in Reno: She moved to Reno from Bishop, CA and has lived in Reno for more than 40 years now.