Meet the Dentists
Our friendly and knowledgeable dentists work hard to provide the highest quality dental work to every patient. Learn more about the professionals who will be working to help you maintain your smile and oral health.
Dr.Vandan Desai, D.D.S
Owner / Surgical Dentist
Dr. Desai is an alumnus of the University of Maryland. He pursued and completed a two-year residency program from Pennsylvania, specializing in implant prosthodontics and wisdom teeth extraction. He was born in India and eventually shifted to Maryland.
Dr. Desai brings his commitment to excellence, never-quit attitude, and years of training and experience to provide his patients with quality dental care in a relaxed environment. He firmly believes that his profession gives him the chance to bring smiles to his patients’ faces, which acts as an impetus for him to do better and keep all his patients happy and satisfied.
In his spare time, Dr. Desai enjoys traveling the world and spending quality time with his wife and son. They enjoy exploring new cities and different cuisines together. Dr. Desai also likes to stay up to date with advances in technology.
Dr.Eliana Melendez, D.D.S
General Dentist
Dr. Eliana Melendez was born in El Paso, Texas. She attended Texas Tech University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with minors in chemistry and Spanish. She went on to attend UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry, where she earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree.
Dr. Melendez fell in love with dentistry after volunteering at a free dental clinic during her undergraduate career. The idea of taking a patient out of pain in the same day and seeing life-changing results through dentistry ignited her passion for the profession. She deeply values forming meaningful connections with her patients, going above and beyond to achieve their health and aesthetic goals.
In her spare time, Dr. Melendez enjoys playing indoor volleyball, working out, traveling, and spending time with her husband and their two fur babies – a husky and a chocolate lab.
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Dr. Gwendolyn Taylor, D.D.S.
Dr. Taylor is a 4th generation dentist that graduated from UT Houston SOD in 2017. She believes dentistry is in her blood and loves what she does. Her favorite procedures are surgical and esthetic procedures that really make a difference in her patient's lives. She loves to help her patients and gets a lot of gratification out of helping her patients restore their smiles. When she is not helping patient's, she enjoys biking, hiking, and skating. She is training to be in the San Antonio Roller Derby and hopes to be competing by next year!
She is a single mom of 3 teenage boys, whom she is very proud of, and are frequent topics of conversation around the office. They manage to keep her very busy when not at work! She is a member of TDA and ADA, and a few others that send her mail to keep the box full. She has a great sense of humor and loves to keep the office light and comfortable.
Dr. Aaron Barnes
Dr. Aaron Barnes is dedicated to helping patients achieve and maintain optimal oral health. He finds joy in seeing patients leave his office with a confident smile. Dr. Barnes has a special interest in implant dentistry and prosthodontics, which allows him to provide comprehensive dental care.
Dr. Barnes graduated from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. He stays current with the latest dental advancements through ongoing continuing education courses, including Invisalign certification and hands-on training in implant placement.
Dr. Barnes is a devout Christian and enjoys spending time with his family, listening to music, attending concerts, and cheering on his favorite race car drivers.
Dr. Trupti Haralkar
Dr. Trupti Haralkar is a skilled and compassionate dentist with a focus on comprehensive dental care. She grew up in Mumbai, India, and holds a Master of Dental Surgery (MDS) in Prosthodontics from India. She earned her Doctor of Dental Medicine from Boston University's Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine.
Dr. Haralkar is deeply passionate about patient care and is committed to providing high-quality, individualized treatments. Dedicated to lifelong learning, she continually seeks to enhance her skills and stay current with advancements in dental technology. Her philosophy is rooted in creating a warm and comfortable environment for patients while maintaining the highest standards of practice.
Outside of the dental office, Dr. Haralkar loves spending quality time with her husband and their son. She enjoys being outdoors, traveling, reading, and exploring new restaurants.
Dr. Louis R. Garcia
Dr. Louis R. Garcia is a highly skilled and experienced dentist who has
been practicing dentistry for over 20 years. He received his
Doctorate of Dental Surgery from the University of Texas Health
Science Center at San Antonio and is a member of the American
Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, and San Antonio
District Dental Society.
Dr. Garcia is dedicated to lifelong learning. He stays up-to-date with
the latest advancements in dentistry and regularly attends
continuing education courses. He believes in taking a personalized
approach to dental care and works closely with his patients to
develop treatment plans that meet their unique needs and goals.
