Dental Team – Chevy Chase, MD
Trusted Dental Care
You Deserve
A welcoming and trusted dental team can make all the difference in a patient’s visit to our dental office. We know it takes more than just the dentist to keep individuals coming back, which is why Dr. Yu is pleased to work alongside Ruffa, our patient care coordinator. When visiting our dental office, you can expect to have a positive experience when working with Ruffa, who will go over your treatment and ensure you have all the information you need to feel confident in your dental treatment.
Ruffa, Patient Care Coordinator
We are excited to have Ruffa as the Front Desk/Patient Care Coordinator at Avant Dentistry, bringing a fresh perspective and a dedication to enhancing the patient experience. Ruffa enjoys working closely with Dr. Yu and has deepened her understanding of the importance of oral health. She also finds great joy in building relationships with patients and assisting them in small but meaningful ways.
Originally from Santa Barbara, Pangasinan in the Philippines, Ruffa attended Pangasinan State University. Before transitioning to the dental field, she spent a decade as a teacher in Asia and moved to the US at the end of 2021. She is pursuing certifications in Healthcare IT, including programs for Administrative Medical Assistant and A+.
Family is incredibly important to Ruffa, as the fourth of five children, and she has a close-knit relationship with her siblings and mother. Outside of work, she enjoys experimenting with new dishes, playing VR games, and watching movies with her husband. She also loves socializing, singing karaoke, and spending time with a vibrant community of friends. One unique dream of hers is to have Doraemon's 'Anywhere Door' to easily visit family in the Philippines and explore new places anytime. Ruffa is looking forward to contributing to the practice and getting to know our wonderful patients!
Jessica, Patient Coordinator
Jessica is a welcoming presence at Avant Dentistry, bringing fresh energy as Patient Coordinator. Though fairly new to the dental field, she has quickly discovered her passion for building meaningful connections with patients. What she loves most about her role is getting to know everyone who walks through the door—hearing about their holiday plans, travel adventures, exciting life updates like engagements and new babies on the way, and watching these relationships grow over time.
Originally from Silver Spring, Jessica graduated from Delaware State University and is OSHA and HIPAA certified. She comes from a small, close-knit family with a younger brother, while most of her extended family lives overseas.
Outside of work, Jessica is a true creative spirit who loves to travel—with Amsterdam ranking as her favorite destination so far. She's an avid foodie who enjoys exploring different cuisines, frequenting art museums, and engaging in anything that lets her express her creativity. An interesting fact: French was actually the first language Jessica learned, and while she understands it better than she can speak it today, it remains an important part of her multicultural background.
Michelle, Dental Assistant
Michelle is a dedicated Dental Assistant at Avant Dentistry, gaining invaluable hands-on experience and working closely with Dr. Annie Yu. This role provides not only mentorship but also a deeper understanding of patient care, dental procedures, and the latest dental technologies.
Currently, Michelle is a junior at the University of Maryland, College Park, majoring in Neurobiology and Physiology, with an expected graduation in May 2026. Alongside her studies, she is working towards a certification in Dental X-rays, which she will complete by August this year.
Outside of dentistry, Michelle is deeply passionate about research and works year-round as a research intern at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIH-NIMH), studying light and circadian rhythms. She also enjoys reading, inspired by her dad’s podcast, "Pages of the Ages." One of her favorite hobbies is solving sudoku puzzles. Additionally, she loves tailoring clothes and has a knack for knitting and sewing.
An interesting fact about Michelle is that she has 33 first cousins and counting, which makes for a large and loving extended family. She is excited to be part of the Avant Dentistry team and looks forward to contributing to the practice while continuing her education and research endeavors.
Kyndahl, Sterilization Technician
Kyndahl is a valued Sterilization Technician at Avant Dentistry, bringing nearly four years of dedicated experience in the dental field. She takes pride in her essential role of maintaining a safe and efficient environment for both patients and staff through meticulous sterilization and infection control practices. Her comprehensive background includes both front and back office experience, giving her a well-rounded understanding of dental procedures and proper instrument handling while maintaining OSHA and CDC standards.
A Montgomery College graduate from Gaithersburg, Kyndahl values the collaborative environment at Avant Dentistry, particularly appreciating Dr. Yu's supportive leadership style that encourages learning and growth. As a devoted mother to her daughter Kodi, family remains her greatest motivation. Outside of dentistry, Kyndahl enjoys staying active through walks and mini hikes, exploring new places with Kodi, and creating cherished memories together. She finds balance through reading, which serves as her way to reset and reflect.
Known for her keen observational skills and love of learning from different perspectives, Kyndahl brings both professionalism and genuine care to her role on the team.