Meet the Team

We recognize that all our patients are unique and deserve to receive orthodontic care that reflects their individual needs. Our experienced and talented team is committed to working with you and your family to create a comfortable, stress-free, and rewarding orthodontic experience every time you visit our practice.

We are pleased to welcome you and your family, and we look forward to working with you.

 

Alyssa

Clinical Assistant

I am a graduate of Lemon Bay High School and earned my CDA at Charlotte Technical College. I became a proud member of the Sallapudi Orthodontics team in 2018 and help our patients feel as beautiful as they truly are by playing a role in creating a perfect smile and  improving their self-confidence. The best part of my job is creating a bond with our patients and helping our little ones feel comfortable.  Dr. Sallapudi is amazing and genuinely kind..  I enjoy being part of a staff that communicates well and gets along great. We love laughing together.

II love being outdoors, spending time on the boat, and watching sports with my family. I married my high school sweetheart in 2022 and we are loving life together!

April

Lab Technician

I get to fabricate orthodontic appliances for each patient. I was a clinical assistant for 12 years before I became a lab tech and have now worked in orthodontics for more than 20 years. I enjoy making appliances and retainers and seeing which designs patients will come up with . . . they are always different! I have a lot of respect for Dr. Sallapudi and I see how much he loves his job.

I was born and raised in Florida and have been married to my wonderful husband for more than 25 years. Outside of work, I like to read and spend time with my husband and our two children. We enjoy boating and attending our children’s sporting events.

Brenda

Scheduling Coordinator

My role is meeting and greeting patients, giving new patients tours of our office, scheduling appointments, and answering the phones. I am usually the first face that patients see when they come through the door! I am new to the practice and to the dental field, but I am eager to learn. I love it here because we have awesome patients and the team is more like family than just a group of co-workers.  Away from work, I enjoy watching sports with my husband, my 3 cats, and working crossword puzzles.

 

Bri

Orthodontic Assistant

As an assistant to Dr. Sallapudi, my role involves changing the wires and colors on patient's braces and placing appliances such as anchorages and expanders. I graduated from Charlotte Technical School with my CDA in 2023.  One of my favorite parts of working for Dr. Sallapudi is removing the braces at the end of treatment to see how great the results are.  I love to see how happy the patients get when they see their new smile! We have a hard working team that cares about each other.  We have a great time and Dr. Sallapudi is great to work for.

Caitlin

Sterile Technician

I graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Biological Sciences in May 2023 and am working on applying to dental school. My favorite part of working in orthodontics is seeing the confidence gained by patients after having braces. Everyone here is always so positive and happy, which creates a great work environment.  I grew up with five sisters and have 3 cats and a dog.  I love videogames!

Erick

Orthodontic Assistant

I am a graduate of Charlotte Technical College and was very  happy to join Dr. Sallapudi's staff. My favorite part of working in this office so far is seeing the patients who are getting their braces off after years of braces. It is exciting! Working here is great because everyone helps out,  they are definitely team players. I love spending time with my dog, a rottweiler who loves to play outdoors and never seems to run out of energy. I enjoy teaching her new tricks.

Jen

 

Clinical Coordinator

I was born and raised in what used to be small-town Venice. I graduated from Venice High School and later studied for certification in dental assisting in 2012. I enjoy seeing the smiles and excitement of all of the patients when they get their braces off. I also enjoy the excitement from the little ones who are getting braces for the first time! The best part is knowing we are one big family and no one hesitates to provide help when it’s needed.

I met my husband when I was 12 and we’ve been inseparable ever since. We have two beautiful children and love going out on the boat and taking long weekends in Orlando.

 

Jess

Scheduling Coordinator/Marketing

I have the pleasure of helping our patients maintain their treatment schedule goals while supporting the front desk and welcoming new patients to the office! I also verify patient insurance benefits and work with the marketing committee. I am new to the dental field, aside from my own experience of being a patient of Dr, Sallapudi's. My prior work experience is primarily financial and customer service in the horticulture field. Dr. Sallapudi is an amazing doctor, and we have a warm and welcoming team. We have a fun and  knowledgeable staff, which makes it easy to brag out them!

I moved to Venice over 10 years ago from Michigan with my wife and two kids. When I am not playing cards and games with my family, I enjoy taking our dog for walks, finding shark teeth, riding my bike, and watching sports.  I spend my time volunteering for the Great Cycle Challenge, the American Cancer Society, All Faiths Food Bank, and coastal cleanup projects.

Katie

Treatment Coordinator

I joined the front desk at Ehrlich & Sallapudi Orthodontics in 2017. As Treatment Coordinator I get to meet new patients and their families, welcoming them to our practice, and getting them started on a path to a beautiful smile. Our staff is an amazing group of fun people who enjoy their jobs! Dr. Sallapudi goes above and beyond to design a perfect treatment plan for each patient. It is truly a blessing to work with someone who puts so much heart into perfecting smiles.

My husband and I moved to Florida from rainy Portland, Oregon in 2014.  When I’m not at work, I am spending time traveling with my husband, exploring new places. I love the beach with a good book and my family and friends.

Kecia

Financial & Insurance Coordinator

I earned a B.A. in History from the College of Charleston and a B.S. in Textile Marketing from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. In Greensboro, I worked for Ciba Specialty Chemicals in customer service and supply chain managment before moving to Venice in 2001. I stayed at home for a few years with my children, then taught at Grace United Methodist Preschool for nine years. My goal is to nurture positive relationships with our patients. In addition to managing our patient's financial accounts and insurance benefits, I also have the pleasure of speaking to elementary schools, organizing field trips, and representing the practice at community events.  I love photography, gardening, and the beach. My husband and I have 2 sons who are graduates of Venice High School and now attend USF.  Go Bulls and Indians!

Laura

Treatment Coordinator

As a treatment coordinator, I get to be part of our patients’ process from the very beginning. The changes that occur are astounding! I love to see the excitement on the faces of patients as they come in for consultations, help answer any questions they have, and really make each patient feel like a part of our big family. Dr. Sallapudi and our staff truly care about each patient and their individual experience. We all go out of our way to make every person feel special and every result stellar. I love working in a practice that I feel so strongly about!

I grew up in Grand Ledge, Michigan and moved to sunny Venice in 2013. When I am not working, I spend all my free time with my husband and our two teenage daughters: playing games, watching movies, playing volleyball or swimming at the beach, and always laughing a lot!

McKayla

Orthodontic Assistant

I attended the dental program at The Institute of Medical and Dental Technology.  My externship at the program brought me here and I loved it, so I wanted to stay! My favorite part of working with Dr. Sallapudi is watching how happy patients are when they get their braces off and see their new smile. 

I grew up in Englewood and graduated from Lemon Bay High School. My boyfriend and I had our first baby in 2023, so I love hanging out with them in my free time. We like trying new restaurants and spend a lot of time at baseball fields.

Oksana

Clinical Assistant/Ordering

I was born in Ukraine and grew up in Sarasota County. What I love most about being an orthodontic assistant is seeing the final results of a beautiful smile and being part of our patients’ lives as they go through braces. I really enjoy helping to create beautiful smiles with a wonderful doctor and fantastic co-workers. It is a huge blessing to be a part of a caring and awesome work family.

In my free time, I enjoy going to the beach, kayaking, and relaxing with my family and friends.

Patti

Business Manager

Our practice really is part of our community, and I am proud to be part of such a wonderful team. I began my career with Ehrlich & Sallapudi Orthodontics more than 30 years ago, first as an assistant, then as administrative assistant, and now as our practice manager. Being here for so long has allowed me to reconnect with former patients who bring in their own children for treatment. I love seeing our patients’ smiling faces as they see the transformation of their changing bite. It is so rewarding to make a difference in how people view themselves.

I was born and raised in Michigan and moved around with my husband as he served in the Air Force for 21 years. When I’m not working, I love visiting my two children and three grandchildren and traveling with my husband.