The faces behind your smile.
MEET THE TEAM
Hillside Family Dental is a small, close-knit team — which means you'll see familiar faces every time you walk through our doors. Here's a little about the people who'll be taking care of you.
DENTIST
Yiwei Gao, DDS
Before dentistry, I spent time as a middle school science teacher — and honestly, a lot of that "let me explain this clearly" instinct followed me into the practice. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University, then my Doctor of Dental Surgery at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry.
I believe in lifelong learning, and have completed a year-long training with the American Academy of Implant Dentistry's NYC Maxicourse, focused on implant placement and restoration. I'm an active member of the American Dental Association, Texas Dental Association, and Capital Area Dental Society, and I volunteer with the Capital Area Dental Foundation to provide free dental care in our community. I've also taken part in a mission trip to Honduras, offering two weeks of free dental care — where, fittingly, I ended up rescuing one of my dogs.
My goal is simple: deliver excellent care and build relationships that last well beyond a single appointment.
Outside the office, I'm usually with my husband, our two boys, and our two rescue dogs. We love gardening and exploring playgrounds and splash pads around Austin.
PATIENT CARE COORDINATOR
Angela
Your insurance translator-in-chief
Angela joined Hillside in 2025, bringing more than 20 years of billing and administration experience with her. She's the person who turns "what does my insurance actually cover?" into a clear, honest answer — and she takes real pride in making sure patients feel informed every step of the way.
What drew her to Hillside is the family-like atmosphere and community focus that makes this office feel different. If you've ever felt confused walking out of a dental office, Angela's goal is to make sure that never happens here.
An empty nester and proud dog mom, Angela spends her free time hiking, crafting, reading, and volunteering around Austin.
REGISTERED DENTAL HYGIENIST
Holly
17 years and counting
Holly has been part of the practice since 2015 and has worked in dentistry for more than 17 years. She loves the close-knit feel of a smaller office — the kind of place where patients become familiar faces, not just names on a chart.
She's committed to building real relationships with patients and creating a visit that feels comfortable and stress-free from start to finish.
Married with two kids, Holly stays active in her free time and has a soft spot for reality TV and true crime documentaries.
REGISTERED DENTAL HYGIENIST
Robin
Three decades of cleanings, zero regrets
Robin has been with the practice since 2015 and has worked as a dental hygienist for more than 30 years — a career she's loved since day one. She's a graduate of Baltimore City Community College's Dental Hygiene Program and relocated to Texas with her husband over 18 years ago, where they're proud to call Austin home.
Robin is passionate about helping patients build oral health habits that last a lifetime, and values working alongside a team that shares her commitment to doing things right.
When she's not at the office, Robin enjoys swimming, staying active, and caring for her senior dog.
Christi
REGISTERED DENTAL HYGIENIST
Steady hands, warm bedside manner
Christi joined our team in 2023 after earning her Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene from Texas Woman's University. She genuinely loves helping people, and it shows — she's known for her warm, attentive approach and her commitment to making sure every patient feels respected and cared for.
Christi also values the collaborative spirit of our team, and that sense of teamwork comes through in how smoothly your visit goes from check-in to checkout.
Outside the office, Christi ushers at different venues in Austin and enjoys traveling.
DENTAL ASSISTANT
Dana
A calming presence to help every patient feel at ease
Dana graduated from UT Austin in 2026 with a B.S. in Biochemistry. There, she developed a passion for patient care and community outreach where she served as the President of the Children's Oral Health Advocacy Project and the Mental Health Ambassador in the Texas Pre-Dental Society. Dana also served as a global health intern with Austin Smiles, a philanthropy organization that works with children with clept lip and palate.
Dana enjoys building meaningful relationships with all her patients and helping to create a welcoming, comfortable experience for everyone who walks through the door.
Outside the office, Dana loves staying active and exploring all that Austin has to offer. You'll often find her bouldering, kayaking, running, discovering new local spots, or listening to music.
Tamiey
REGISTERED DENTAL ASSISTANT
Helping patients feel comfortable since 2003
Tamiey has been with the practice since 2015 and has worked as a dental assistant since 2003 after she had earned her license at the Career Advancement Center in Austin. Tamiey enjoys building lasting relationships with patients and helping them feel comfortable and confident in their smiles.
Tamiey finds it rewarding to see patients smile, knowing she helped to make their experience a positive one.
Tamiey enjoys spending time with her husband of 20 years, their five children and five granddaughters, as well as making blankets, crafting, and visiting estate sales on weekends.
