The Next Level Orthodontics Team
Pictured from Left to Right, Top Row: Fani Nunez, Meyling Hathaway, Morgan Mack, Autumn Gamez, Kanna Collins, Misty Paredez, Gaby Sandoval
Pictured from Left to Right, Bottom Row: Krystal Smith, Dr. Ashley Smith, Betty Bueche
Krystal Smith, RDH
Managing Director & Dental Hygienist
Krystal is a born and raised Texan. She grew up in Robstown, TX, a small city outside of Corpus Christi. In 2010, Krystal received her degree as a dental assistant, then decided to further her education in the field of dentistry. In 2016, Krystal graduated from Del Mar College in Corpus Christi with her degree in dental hygiene. Life and job opportunities brought Krystal and Dr. Smith to find their new home in New Braunfels. Krystal found her first job as a hygienist with a large dental corporation, which taught her many valuable things, not only as a provider but as a business owner. She practiced dental hygiene for three years before completely committing to managing Next Level Orthodontics with her husband.
Her experience as a dental hygienist, along with her previous experience as an orthodontic assistant, made her and Dr. Smith a great team in their endeavor of owning their own practice. Aside from dentistry, Krystal loves being a wife and mother. She has one son, Mason. In 2018, when she and Dr. Smith were married, she gained 3 more precious boys to love. In her spare time, Krystal enjoys watching them play tennis and soccer on the weekends. She also enjoys yoga, working out, finding tasty foods to eat, and wine to drink.
Betty Bueche, RDA
Office Manager
Betty is New Braunfels born and bred. In 2008, she received her RDA certification from Texas State. She worked in a wide variety of dental specialties but has found orthodontics to her favorite! She has 10 years of orthodontic experience and enjoys helping patients craft their beautiful smile. Betty and her husband of 32 years, Jay, have four children Scot, Ryan, Nicholas, and Lindsay. In her free time she enjoys and fills her heart volunteering at Hope Hospice. Betty finds great joy in spending time with her grandchildren Landon, Harper, and Hunter and traveling with her husband.
Lauren "Lo" Hons, RDH
Dental Hygienist
Lo began her experience in the dental field as an expanded functions certified dental assistant back in 2012. Originally from Connecticut, Lo has spent most of her upbringing between Louisiana, Texas, and Florida. Prior to pursuing a career in Dental Hygiene, she worked as a treatment coordinator for a large multi-specialty office in South Florida where her interest in dentistry was cultivated. Seeking to further pursue her education, she obtained her Dental Hygiene degree in 2016. Upon graduation, she relocated from West Palm Beach, FL to San Antonio, Texas to be closer to family.
In 2018, opportunity led Lo to New Braunfels where she met Krystal and they instantly became best friends! Before joining the NLO team, she was Lead Hygienist for over four years. Lo is passionate about gum disease prevention and educating our patients about proper oral hygiene so they can get the best outcome with their smile.
When she’s not keeping our Next Level smiles healthy, Lo enjoys traveling, wine tasting with Krystal, and spending time with her husband Josh, her step-son, Dylan and their three pups!
Kanna Collins
Treatment Coordinator
Kanna was raised in Okinawa Japan her whole life and moved to New Braunfels in 2008, and has loved it. Kanna has 3 beautiful children Naoki, Ai, and Hikaru. Kanna received her RDA in 2011 and has worked in a variety dental specialties and has loved being in the orthodontic field.
During her free time, she loves to spend time with her family and loves her 2 Siberian Huskies like they are her kids. Her goal in life is to always rescue Siberian Husky’s. In addition, she loves to help educate people on the importance on their orthodontic treatment.
Grace Hall
Receptionist
Grace was born and raised in Amarillo, TX and moved to New Braunfels during middle school. She loves hanging out with friends and her boyfriend and is currently preparing for her little girl. In her free time, she loves fixing up her Mustang and volunteering at church. She loves constantly learning and growing here at Next level Orthodontics.
Kim Castillo
Receptionist
Kim was born in the valley but grew up in the rural side of Houston. In 2018, she moved to San Marcos to attend Texas State University. Kim got her Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry with a pre-dental concentration. Ever since she had braces in high school, she knew orthodontics was an amazing field! When she was finally able to smile with confidence, she knew she wanted to help other people feel the same way. In her free time, Kim enjoys traveling, learning new things, and spending time with her family.
Gabrielle “Gaby” Sandoval
Marketing Manager
Gaby was born in El Paso TX, and raised in the music capital, Austin, TX!
She enjoys working in the orthodontic field, as it has been her main focus since she was in high school. She made her own dental club her in her junior year of high school, called “Dentists in Training.” She had guest speakers teach students about different dental specialties, such as general dentistry, dental hygiene, and of course, orthodontics.
Out of high school, she was hired at her first job as an assistant, where she learned all about the beauty of braces. A couple of years later, she was accepted to the University of Texas San Antonio, where she decided to study biology in order one day be an orthodontist herself! While studying at UTSA, she had the opportunity to meet Dr. Smith, and she found her calling as a Treatment Coordinator at his office.
Gaby likes to learn new instruments, play tennis, and explore in her free time. She has two older brothers who keep her motivated, and a little Boston Terrier named Stitch!
Kristy Nunez
Insurance Coordinator
Kristy Nunez is our Insurance Coordinator here at Next Level Orthodontics. She loves hanging out with her friends and taking any opportunity to make someone smile! Working at other orthodontic offices in the past, has helped her grow her knowledge of how dental insurance works, and is operated.
Morgan Mack
Records Assistant
Morgan was raised in the Houston suburban area and first moved to New Braunfels in 2016 she has always had a big heart and loved helping others when she can. She thinks a smile is one of our most important features and loves to see people smile confidently! Being on such a great team and helping our patients achieve this makes her day! In her spare time, she enjoy traveling, the beach, and spending time with her family!
Estefania “Fani” Nunez, RDA
Orthodontic Assistant
Estefania was born in Mexico and was brought to New Braunfels, Texas when she was only 1, and was raised here. She completely loves New Braunfels, and did her schooling here, and is a proud Unicorn! She attended and graduated the University of Incarnate Word in 2019, where she got her Dental Assistant certification. She worked in general dentistry for almost 2 years, and during that time she found that the orthodontic part of it, really interested her. She loves being a part of getting everyone back to a healthy mouth. She believes a smile is ones most important feature, and is always happy to tell you her journey of how she got her smile back with Invisalign. In her free time she likes to work on resin crafts, play with her 2 beautiful cats, go to the beach anytime she can and hang out with her Husband, (which is her high school sweetheart!) and with family.
Amour Marungo, RDA
Orthodontic Assistant
Amour was born and raised in New Braunfels Texas. She attended and graduated from the University of Incarnate Word in 2019 and received her dental assistant certification. She worked in general dentistry for a short time, but found that she loves orthodontic dentistry more! She loves being part of the team and also helping everyone create a beautiful smile. She wants everyone to be able to smile and laugh confidently. In her free time she likes to bake, go on fun adventures, train martial arts with her husband, hang out with her family and 2 dogs.
