Meet the Doctors

OZZIE RODAS, DDS

OWNER/DENTIST

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Greetings friends! My name is Dr. Ozzie Rodas.

But my patients warmly know me as “Dr. Oz,” and as your dentist, I am sure you want to get to know me a little better personally and professionally. I was born in Merced, California, and spent many of my childhood summers working for my father installing flooring.

He taught me many lessons, including a strong work ethic. My mom was my cheerleader; she encouraged me to read great books and dream BIG and to love those around me. I believe my parents instilled in me many values that have helped to mold who I am today.

I grew up playing sports with my brothers, primarily Olympic wrestling. Though I lost nearly every match for the five years I wrestled, it was a great sport that taught me discipline. I was also involved and continue to participate in church worship. I began playing the drums at the age of 10, but after my mom discovered I had a voice, she made sing, and that soon became one of my passions!

I graduated from Merced High School then went on to earn my bachelor’s degree in chemistry from University of California Merced. From a young age, I knew that I wanted to be a doctor and an entrepreneur, and after earning my bachelor’s degree, I decided that dentistry was a great blend and the best of both worlds.

I believe a smile increases your face value, and in order to provide you with a functional and beautiful smile, I have dedicated my career to learning advanced techniques in restorative and sedation dentistry. My promise to you is to create a comfortable environment and truly listen to your needs and wants, then tailor a treatment plan unique to you!

I attribute many of my techniques to the great lessons I learned in Loma Linda School of Dentistry. I earned my Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) with honors, graduating summa cum laude. I excelled not only academically but also clinically. My involvement with dental mission work allowed me to gain insights and skills beyond what I could have learned in the classroom. I also realize the importance of continued education, though, and I currently have over 300 hours of continued education in courses such as implants and IV sedation. My desire is to continue to provide the excellent dental care that you have come to expect from Dr. Ross and High Desert Dental.

Though I truly love dentistry and would work every day if I could! I realize the importance of living a balanced life, and I am involved in activities such as leading worship at my local church, salsa dancing, making salsa and eating salsa, and going to the dog park with my wife and our little puppy, Rosie!

I look forward to working with you soon!

Fun Fact: I wrote an album of original songs for my wife in the first month we met.

HELENA WU, DDS

DENTIST

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Hello everyone! My name is Dr. Helena Wu and I’m excited to be the latest addition to High Desert Dental. Originally from El Paso, TX, I embarked on my dental journey at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) for my bachelors in Biology before earning my doctoral degree at the University of Texas: San Antonio School of Dentistry.

After seven years in San Antonio, TX, my path led me to Albuquerque for my residency at UNMH, where I’ve embraced the local love for green chile and the community’s enchanting spirit.

My passion for dentistry is matched by my love for the outdoors and adventures with my furry companions, Mimi and Lune. I enjoy reading on my days off with my all time favorite book being “All the Light You Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr. On other days, you might catch me playing From Software games every now and then.

High Desert Dental’s commitment to excellence and a supportive atmosphere resonated with me, aligning perfectly with my professional goals. I was drawn to the practice’s commitment to delivering the highest quality care, which resonates with my treatment style and philosophy. I’m here to offer a broad range of dental care, from preventive to complex treatments, aiming to enhance our patients’ overall well-being.

Albuquerque has captured my heart, not just with its culinary delights but also with its warm and welcoming community. It’s this sense of belonging and purpose that has me thrilled to contribute to our patients’ health and happiness.

I look forward to getting to know you all, telling you all my amazing dental puns, and sharing in your dental health journey.

Dr. Nicholas Lipetzky, DDS

DENTIST

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Hey everyone! My name is Dr. Nicholas Lipetzky, and I am excited to join the High Desert Dental team!

Growing up in Urbana, Maryland, I spent my time going on outdoor adventures, earning my Eagle Scout, and training MMA (routinely coming home with black eyes). I also worked at a rental equipment company learning how to turn wrenches and work on small engines. It was during this time that my hometown dentist took me under his wing and allowed me to volunteer in his office. That’s when it was solidified that dentistry was the career for me.

It was all of these incredible experiences that prepared me for dental school at the University of Maryland, where I graduated with a Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS). In dental school I had the opportunity to hone my skills through an Oral Surgery Clerkship, 300 hours of externship, and service with the Washington, D.C. Mission of Mercy. Most importantly, it was staying up late to study with friends and learning from invaluable mentors in dental school that showed me the importance of having a strong community in dentistry.

After graduating dental school, I moved across the country to Albuquerque with my wife, who had joined the University of New Mexico PhD program in Cognitive Neuroscience. Here is where I was able to extend my dental community to High Desert Dental. After meeting Dr. Oz and his team, I was attracted to their commitment to continuously advancing their skills, and providing a warm experience to patients.

Today, I still love showing off my Eagle Scout skills by going on outdoor adventures with my wife, lifting weights, grilling and eating! Moving to New Mexico was the perfect choice considering the endless opportunities for hiking and camping, and the amazing New Mexican cuisine, of course!

I am excited to continue to grow my community here in New Mexico as I get to work with each of you!

HUNTER L. MORTLEY, DDS

RETIRED DENTIST

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Dr. Mortley is a local boy who grew up playing lots of baseball here in Albuquerque while his father worked his entire career at Sandia National Laboratories. He wanted to be a dentist from an early age, and attended Mitchell Elementary, Hoover Middle, and El Dorado High Schools.

He attended the University of New Mexico and Brigham Young University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in microbiology, and then completed Dental School at University of Missouri.

Additionally he has extra training in orthodontics.

His longtime patients appreciate that he is a straight shooter and tells patients only what they need for optimum dental health. He is free from any corporate pressure to sell extra procedures and treats each patient like he would his own family members. When not in the office, Dr. Mortley enjoys writing novels, gardening, astronomy, hydroponics and golfing with his children.

GARY ROSS, DDS

RETIRED DENTIST

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Dr. Ross had been practicing in the Albuquerque area for 40 years before retiring. He has enjoyed learning new techniques in dentistry and providing the highest care to his patients. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his dog, Nina, going camping, visiting National Parks and spending time at his cabin. He is bittersweet about retirement but knows his patients are in good hands.