AURORA PERIODONTICS & IMPLANT DENTISTRY - Key Persons

Dr. Anderson grew up in Sandy, Utah. He received a degree in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Utah in 2004. He then began his studies in dentistry and earned his DDS at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. He and his family moved to Columbus, Ohio for his periodontal residency at The Ohio State University, where he graduated with his MS in 2011. After finishing his residency, Dr. Anderson and his family moved to Colorado and made it their final home. He enjoys road biking, backpacking, kayaking, water skiing, snowboarding, and spending time with his family. Dr. Anderson is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology, American Dental Association, Colorado Dental Association, and the Metro Denver Dental Society. Service and volunteering are important to Dr. Anderson. He enjoys volunteering his time to his local church and he also volunteers dental services both nationally and internationally.

Before coming to Colorado, Dr. Salas served as the Director of the Advanced Education Program in Periodontics at the University of Missouri in Kansas City. While working in academics at UMKC, Dr. Salas also worked in private practice performing the skills and techniques she was teaching to the next generation of periodontists. Committed to dentistry, Dr. Salas is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology as well as a member of the American Dental Association, the American Academy of Periodontology, and the American Board of Periodontology. Dr. Salas was selected by her peers and is currently serving as a board examiner for the American Board of Periodontology. Dr. Salas was born in Lima, Peru, and is fluent in English and Spanish. She graduated as a Doctor in Dental Surgery from Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos and then obtained her American DDS degree from the University of Missouri Kansas City. She continued her studies at The Ohio State University, completing her Residency in Periodontics in conjunction with her Master's in Science. Dr. Salas is happily married to her husband, Dan. They have three children that keep their days busy and their lives full of joy. In her free time, Dr. Salas enjoys traveling, spending time outdoors, trying new restaurants, and spending time with family and friends. She is very excited to be in Colorado where she can enjoy both the outdoor activities and the metropolitan lifestyle the Front Range has to offer.

Dr. Pota Rakes' interest in dentistry sparked while working in her father's pediatric dental office. She began her studies at Creighton University in her hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. After only 3 years of undergraduate work, she was accepted into dental school. She earned her Doctorate of Dental Surgery, master's degree in science, and Certificate of Periodontology from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry. While in dental school, Dr. Rakes received the "Dr. Kenneth Batenhorst Memorial Scholarship" awarded to those students demonstrating academic distinction. Her master's research and subsequent publication were conducted on pharmacologic manipulation of bone metabolism. This research earned Dr. Rakes first place in the Post-Graduate Division of the Student Scientific Program at UNMC. Dr. Rakes is a Diplomate of the American Board of Periodontology. Her diplomatic status demonstrates significant achievements beyond the mandatory educational requirements to be a periodontist. She is a member of the American Academy of Periodontology and the American Dental Association. Before moving to Colorado, Dr. Rakes worked in a private periodontal and dental implant practice in Michigan while her husband completed his education. She also had the opportunity to teach at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry as a clinical lecturer. In her free time, she enjoys cooking Greek food, reading, pilates, and being a mother to her two daughters. She is actively involved in her church as well as volunteering at her daughters' schools. Dr. Rakes and her family are enjoying the beautiful outdoors and lifestyle of Colorado. She is extremely excited to meet and be part of the wonderful dental community in South East Denver. We are excited to have Dr. Rakes as part of our team as she makes patient care and wellbeing a top priority. She strives to ensure that every patient is comfortable and well informed about their periodontal health.