NMDA Executive Committee
President: Kay Younggren, DDS, is a 1998 graduate of Artesia High School. After high school, she moved to Texas to further her education, first graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry with a minor in biology from McMurry University, and then graduating with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M Health Science Center. She also received and completed a fellowship in Implantology with the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (F.I.C.O.I.). Following graduation from dental school, she began practicing dentistry in Artesia. Two years later, she purchased Smile Xpressions. Over the past decade, the practice has expanded into a new, state-of-the-art facility featured in Sidekick Dental Magazine. In addition to the daily practice of dentistry, she is involved in several professional organizations: the American Dental Association, the New Mexico Dental Association Board, and the Eastern New Mexico Dental Association (President 2010–12). She continues involvement with her undergraduate alma mater, serving as an Alumni Association Board of Director (2008–17) and a University Trustee (2017–present) and is proud to have received the Spirit of McMurry Award, which the university bestows upon its distinguished alumni.
She is a past-president and current member of the Artesia Downtown Lions Club. She also works with the Written in Red Foundation and am a member of Artesia First Methodist Church.
In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband Chris Lauderman, and spending time with their dog Gabby.
President-elect: David Manzanares, DDS, a general dentist in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the President-Elect of the New Mexico Dental Association. Dr. Manzanares has been a member of the ADA since 2009.
Dr. Manzanares is a former Vice President of the American Dental Association, serving from 2022-2024. As a member of the Board, he served on the Finance Committee and was Chair of the ADA Advisory Committee on Annual Meetings. He was the Board liaison to the Alliance of the American Dental Association and the Commission of Continuing Education Provider Recognition. He has served on multiple ADA Taskforces.
Dr. Manzanares currently serves as a member to the ADA Council on Government Affairs. From 2016-2020, he served as a member to the ADA Council on Communications, where he was also Chair of the Volunteer Engagement Program and the Council Self-Assessment Committee, as well as part of the Spokesperson Review Committee and the Integrated Marketing Workgroup. He is also a graduate of the ADA Institute for Diversity in Leadership.
Dr. Manzanares is involved with numerous other dental organizations, including the New Mexico Dental Association (NMDA), Albuquerque District Dental Society (ADDS) and Academy of General Dentistry. An engaged member of the NMDA, Dr. Manzanares previously served as Secretary-Treasurer from 2015 to 2022, chaired several committees and was the Albuquerque Representative of the NMDA Board of Trustees from 2013 to 2015. He was also a member of the Board of Directors for the NMDA Foundation. Starting in 2020, he became part of the New Mexico Dental COVID- 19 Advisory Team. From 2009 to 2015, he was a delegate of the NMDA House of Delegates and continues to be on the NMDA Council on Government Affairs. His other duties include serving as Secretary-Treasurer of the Southwest District Dental Society from 2010 to 2011, and he has served as Advisor to the Leadership Board with the ADDS since 2015.
Dr. Manzanares is a Fellow in both the International College of Dentists and the American College of Dentists and was awarded with both a Fellowship in 2015 and a Mastership in 2018 from the AGD. He is a graduate of both the Dawson Academy and the Piper Education and Research Center. He is also a member of the American Equilibration Society and the National Network for Oral Health Access.
Originally from Espanola, NM, Dr. Manzanares attended the University of New Mexico as a Regent’s Scholar, graduating in 2005. He graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry in 2009. He has also served as the pre-dental advisor at New Mexico State University and was a faculty member at Dona Ana Community College, teaching radiology to dental hygiene students. Dr. Manzanares comes from a dental family; his father, Dr. Robert Manzanares, was president of the NMDA from 2010 to 2011 and his younger brother, Dr. Michael Manzanares, is also a dentist.
Vice President: Brett Schow, DDS
Immediate Past President: Dr. Travis Watson grew up in western Nebraska and attended dental school at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln where he graduated in 2008. He began his dental career in Farmington NM where he went into practice with his father in-law. He and his wife, Deidra, bought the practice in 2011 and continue to run it together. Before becoming involved with the NMDA's Executive board, he was the three-time president of the NMDA’s Northwest District. He loves organized dentistry and is proud to serve NM. He has had the opportunity to spend time in India and Nepal treating the dental needs of the underserved in these countries. In his free time, he loves to golf and travel with his family. 
Secretary Treasurer: Evan Mitchell, DDS, grew up in Albuquerque NM as the oldest of three. He attended Eldorado High School and attended the University of New Mexico where he graduated with honors receiving a Bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry. He then went on to attend the prestigious University of Washington School of Dentistry.
Speaker of the House: Michael Law, DDS, is a fourth generation Las Crucen. He attended Las Cruces High School and graduated from New Mexico State University with a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering. Following graduation from NMSU, Dr. Law attended the University of Colorado, School of Dental Medicine where he received the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. Upon graduation, he received two honorary awards; the Dr. Miles Markley Delta Sigma Delta Award and the Quintessence Award for Clinical Achievements in Periodontics.He is currently the NMDA's Speaker of the House. In the past, he has also served as President of the New Mexico Dental Association, the President for the Southwest District Dental Society, as well as an Alternate Delegate for the NMDA House of Delegates.
Dr. Law is also a member of the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), and he is the secretary for the New Mexico State University Alumni International Board of Directors. He has been involved in many dental community outreaches, including the NM Mission of Mercy and traveling to Guatemala on a dental mission to address dental needs for those in small Guatemalan villages. He has been involved in various community organizations and activities, and continues to support community activities throughout the city and state.
Editor: Dr. Jennifer Oki earned her dental degree from Boston University Goldman School of Dental Medicine in Boston, MA. Originally from Oahu, Hawaii, she attended the University of Hawaii at Manoa for her undergraduate studies where she earned BA's in both Biology and Psychology. Dr. Oki is a member of the American Dental Association, the New Mexico Dental Association, the Albuquerque District Dental Society and the Spear Study Club. She loves learning about new techniques, materials and treatments in dentistry and attends dental conferences and continuing education courses as often as she can.
Outside of the office, Dr. Oki can often be found with her two children, Daniel and Katherine. She loves cooking and baking, tennis, running, travelling, and cuddling with her two dogs.
