At Cruz Orthodontics, exceptional patient care is not just a promise. It is the daily practice of every person on the team. In our latest video podcast, we sat down with Melissa, our dedicated clinical assistant, to learn what drives her passion for orthodontics, what a typical day looks like behind the scenes, and what makes Cruz Orthodontics a place patients genuinely love coming back to.
Whether you are a current patient, a prospective patient considering braces or aligners, or simply curious about the people caring for your smile, this conversation offers a warm and candid look at the team you trust with your treatment.
21 Years of Passion and Counting
Melissa did not stumble into orthodontics. She built a career around it. With over 21 years of experience in the field, and one of those years right here at Cruz Orthodontics, she brings a depth of knowledge and personal warmth that patients notice immediately.
Her path to Chula Vista is one that many Southern Californians will recognize: a life-changing move, a growing family, and the need to find work that fits the life she was building. After a commute of up to an hour and a half each way at a previous practice, finding Cruz Orthodontics close to home was not just convenient. It was a turning point that allowed her to pour her full energy into her patients.
“I found Cruz Orthodontics, which is like ten minutes away from my house. All that makes a huge difference.”
What Melissa Does Every Day
If you have ever wondered what happens behind the scenes at an orthodontic office, Melissa pulls back the curtain. Her day to day responsibilities include a wide range of clinical and operational tasks that keep the practice running smoothly.
Running starts: Melissa sets up and assists patients who are getting braces placed for the first time, guiding them through the process from start to finish.
Managing long chair appointments: These intensive, detail-oriented sessions require deep focus and clinical precision, and Melissa handles them with steady expertise every single day.
Inventory and supply ordering: A role she takes seriously and describes as more strategic than most people realize. Without the right supplies on hand, everything in the office comes to a halt.
Building genuine patient relationships: Perhaps her greatest strength. Melissa remembers the details of patients’ lives and picks up conversations right where they left off at every visit.
The Hidden Work That Keeps Everything Running
Ask Melissa what part of her job people underestimate, and the answer might surprise you. It is the supply ordering.
“I think people don’t realize the ordering is very strategic. Without these supplies, everything’s just going to stop.”
It is the kind of behind the scenes work that only gets noticed when something goes wrong. And thanks to Melissa, it never does. From tracking inventory levels to making sure the right materials are always available for every procedure, she keeps the clinical side of Cruz Orthodontics moving without interruption.
What Patients Are Saying
One of the most telling moments in the interview comes when Melissa describes the feedback she regularly receives from patients. When Dr. Cruz checks in mid-appointment and asks if a patient has questions, the answer he often hears says everything:
“No, Melissa answered all my questions. She was really great.”
That kind of feedback is not accidental. It is the result of 21 years of experience, genuine care, and a commitment to making sure every patient feels informed, comfortable, and heard before Dr. Cruz even enters the room.
Beyond the Office: Yoga, Half Marathons and Portland Food
Melissa’s depth does not stop at the clinic door. Outside of work she is a certified 200 hour power yoga instructor with an additional 50 hour extension through CorePower Yoga. She is also a four time half marathon finisher who openly admits she hates running but keeps doing it anyway.
“I’ve ran like four half marathons, but I hate running. It’s just the feeling of finishing one. Like, I did it.”
It is that same mindset, showing up, pushing through, and doing the hard thing, that she brings to every patient interaction and every long day in the chair. And when she is not at work or training, she is spending time with her two and a half year old son, exploring new restaurants, and planning her next travel adventure. Her recent trip to Portland came with high praise for the food scene, especially a Filipino brunch spot that she cannot stop talking about.
What Makes Cruz Orthodontics Different
When asked what truly sets Cruz Orthodontics apart from other practices, Melissa’s answer comes back to Dr. Cruz himself and the way he personally invests in every patient’s experience.
“I love how Dr. Cruz takes the time to sit down and talk to every patient, especially for aligners, and show them the video outcome. A lot of patients appreciate that the doctor has the time to sit there and converse and go over things.”
That patient first philosophy is not just Dr. Cruz’s approach. It is the standard the entire team holds itself to, and Melissa is a living example of that culture in action every single day.
Watch the Full Interview
Want to hear Melissa’s full story in her own words, including her unexpected dream of becoming a fashion merchandiser and her honest take on why she keeps running half marathons even though she hates it? Watch the complete video podcast on the Cruz Orthodontics YouTube channel.