Our Team
Delivering Customized Care with a Smile in Dallas
Our staff would like to know you as a person, not just as a patient, and this helps us to develop a personal, customized model of prevention and treatment for you. We think that you'll find us to be serious about providing excellent care while being caring and conscientious of your desires. We regularly attend continuing-education courses to keep abreast of the latest techniques and technologies. To help maximize your comfort, we offer proven relaxation techniques including blankets, foot warmers, heated neck pillows, warm facial towels, and a beverage and snack service.
Dr. Melisa Christian
Was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. She earned her Bachelor of Science Degree at the University of North Texas and her Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) degree from Baylor College of Dentistry. She has completed extensive post-doctoral training in advanced dental care, full mouth rehabilitation, cosmetic techniques, and sedation dentistry. She is known for her caring and educational approach. Dr. Christian listens to your desires and personal goals. Using this information, she will develop your individualized, comprehensive treatment plan to accommodate your goals. Dr. Christian is passionate about empowering you with knowledge so you can have a beautiful and healthy smile.
What does Dr. Christian have to offer you?
• A genuine passion for patient-focused dentistry
• Compassion and understanding for the unique treatment needs of the dental-phobic
• Professional integrity
• Honesty
• High ethical standards
• Dedication to evidence-based dentistry
• A passion to continue our tradition of patient care
• Experience with the complex implant and reconstructive cases which are consistently referred to our office
• Certified Invisalign® Provider
Other Interests
Outside the office, Dr. Christian is an elite runner, a 2007 All-American triathlete, and has qualified for both the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials in the marathon. Dr. Christian has been featured in Runner’s World Magazine, D Beauty Magazine, Competitor Magazine, Dallas Morning News, and the Fort Worth Star Telegram. Her shared passion for athleticism and dental care is unwavering. You will experience her true dedication to perfectionism in the creation and health of your smile.
Education/Certifications
• D.D.S., Baylor College of Dentistry, Dallas, TX
• B.S., University of North Texas
• Certified Invisalign® Provider
• Selected as “America’s Best Dentist” cosmetic and general dentistry office 4 years
• Licensed and certified for conscious sedation
Post-Doctoral Training
• Cosmetic Dentistry
• Conscious Sedation
• Invisalign
• Implant Dentistry
• EverSmile an All-on-Four Implant Denture System
Professional Memberships
• American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
• American Dental Association
• Texas Dental Association
• Dallas County Dental Society
• Dallas Implant Guild
• Dallas Implant Study Club
• Dallas-Seattle Study Club
• National Association of Professional Women
Dr. Andrea Janik Keith
Andrea Janik Keith, DDS was born in the suburbs of Chicago. Her family moved to Texas in 1990. Dr. Keith attended Texas A&M University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. In addition, she also earned a University Honors Degree and a Foundation Honors Degree from Texas A&M University all in 2004. Dr. Keith attended dental school at Baylor College of Dentistry where she earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery Degree in 2008. Dr. Keith was selected from her class to receive the American Academy of Oral Medicine Award and the American Student Dental Organization Award of Excellence. While attending Baylor College of Dentistry, Dr. Keith was also awarded an extern position for the American Dental Association where she conducted research on the effects of oral infection and systemic health. Dr. Keith was also a Johnson and Johnson national grant recipient for her dental research in oral inflammation.
Serving others is basis for Dr. Keith's dental philosophy. Dr. Keith served in the National Health Service Corps for two years. This organization focuses its efforts on placing clinicians in areas that do not have access to healthcare. Dr. Keith also worked for a nonprofit dental organization for 3 years. She is committed to listen to your needs as a patient and approaching a customized pan for your oral health that fits you. Dr. Keith's number one focus is your comfort. She truly cares about you as an individual and provides her individualized attention to every patient. Dr. Keith is committed to continuing dental education. Staying up to date on researched based advances in dentistry assures her patients that they are receiving all that dentistry has to offer. She is an active member of the Dallas Study Club where she was a top continuing education earner in 2010 and named the Up and Coming Dentist in Dallas. In addition to the Dallas Study Club, Dr. Keith is actively pursuing her Fellowship in the Academy of General Dentistry. Being an active member of the organized dental community is important to Dr. Keith. She serves the Dallas County Dental Society as a delegate representing all dentists in Dallas when it comes to making policies for dentists and their patients. She also serves on the Strategic Planning Committee and Membership Committee. Dr. Keith is also involved with the Texas Dental Association where she chairs the Committee on the New Dentist. This committee focuses on the needs of dentists in practice ten years or less in Texas. Dr. Keith also participated in the American Dental Association's panel of experts in writing the new core competency national board exam for all US dental students.
Other interests:
Being an active part of the community matters to Dr. Keith. She is a member of the Junior League of Dallas where she is able to spend her time throughout the year working with organizations that improve Dallas. She enjoys being active by practicing yoga, running, and athletic training classes as well as walking her two Great Danes.
Education/Certifications:
- DDS, Baylor College of Dentistry, Dallas, TX
- BS, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
- Certified Invisalign provider
- Licensed and Certified for conscious sedation
- Selected as Dallas' Up and Coming Dentist by her peers
Post-Doctoral Training:
- Conscious Sedation
- Invisalign
- Implant Dentistry
- Full Mouth Rehabilitation
- Cosmetic and Esthetic Dentistry
Professional Memberships:
- American Dental Association
- Texas Dental Association
- Dallas County Dental Society
- American Academy of General Dentistry
- Texas Academy of General Dentistry
- Dallas Academy of General Dentistry
- Dallas Seattle Study Club
- Dallas Implant Guild
- Dallas Implant Study Club
- Junior League of Dallas
Mary Jo, RDH
After several years of working as a young corporate secretary, Mary Jo surprised her family 17 years ago by walking in one afternoon and announcing she wanted to leave that sector to work in dentistry. This meant starting all over and being trained as a dental assistant. During that period, she made the transition into dental office work. Still not satisfied and wanting to do more in her field, Mary Jo then decided to go back to school for 2- 1/2 more years to earn a degree in dental hygiene. So with 10 years under her belt as a hygienist, she joins Dr. Miranda's (now Drs. Christian and Keith) staff to be part of a team dedicated to the best in oral care for their patients. She aspires to learn the individual needs and preferences of each and every patient so that the client experiences the most comfortable and thorough dental care possible.
Mary Jo recently celebrated her 20th wedding anniversary with her husband, David, a local landscape designer and contractor. The two were high school sweethearts and began dating when she was just a freshman. The couple have two beautiful daughters, Kimberly - age 17 who attends JJ Pearce High School, and Natalie - age 9 at Prairie Creek Elementary. Mary Jo is a Dallas native and currently resides in the Canyon Creek area of Richardson. Her interests include time with family, travel to Caribbean beaches and snowy mountains, and cooking.
Christy, Front Office
Christy has been in dentistry for over 23 years combining clinical and front office administrative responsibilities. She truly enjoys providing great dental care and accommodating patients with their busy schedules.
In Christys spare time she enjoys spending time with friends and her three almost grown children, shopping and traveling. "I feel fortunate to work at a place that provides the best and most advanced dentistry available."
Pauline, Patient Relations
Pauline has been working in the dental field for over 17 years. She is trained in business management, marketing and is a Texas State Notary. Her warm, caring personality is often complimented by our patients. Pauline says she really feels a sense of satisfaction when she can help our patients find a way to afford and complete their dental treatment. Pauline has 2 beautiful children and very blessed with 2 grandchildren. She and her husband Jim enjoy spending time with their family at their cabin hiking, being on the lake and traveling enjoying wildlife photography.
Cathy Nazarko, RDH
Cathy is one of the “original crew” that practiced dental hygiene with Dr. Joe Miranda for 10 years plus… 20 years ago. She started originally side by side with Dr. Jim McLaughlin as his dental assistant. She and her high school sweetheart husband, Maciek, decided to start a family relatively late in life…..two beautiful boys, Maxwell 10, Sampson 9 and a spitfire of a girl, Bella 6. They live on a small ranch up north in a town called Van Alstyne. Although she is a city girl through and through she is adjusting to the quiet life of the country and enjoys raising her children with lots and lots of outdoors. She never thought she would love riding four wheelers, fishing and participating in the PTA but she does!
Cathy has kept her skills current by working for various dentists in the country but has longed to return to her roots and work alongside what she knows to be the “best doctor and staff ever.” Now she feels truly blessed to work with Dr Christian and Dr Keith. It means a lot to her to treat patients in an exceptional environment and offer them the highest quality of care available. She is relieved to be back and part of the team that truly cares. She is more than happy to make the one hour drive into Dallas because she knows that what she does sincerely matters. Her love of dental hygiene is a great one.
Shelby Council - Front Office
Shelby has been in the dental field for 5 years. During that time she has served patients in a number of ways. She began her career as a dental assistant, building her skills with a large office in Oklahoma. She enjoyed the personal interaction with patients. As her experience grew and demand was needed, she transitioned to fulfilling administrative responsibilities, becoming an office manager and treatment coordinator for a private practice. Shelby is now hygiene coordinator for Travis Walk Dental. In her free time, Shelby enjoys spending time with her family, especially her 2-year-old (VERY HANDSOME) son and husband Shawn. The two were high school sweethearts. Shelby is a Dallas native and currently resides in the Rockwall area. Before pursuing a career in the dental field, Shelby enjoyed her other passion in life--horses. She was an avid barrel-racer and competed in several rodeos throughout Texas. Shelby is proud of her choice to become a hygiene coordinator and even more delighted to join Travis Walk Dental!