Our Team - Nicole D. Watson, DDS

Meet The DENTIST

Nicole D. Watson, DDS

Dr. Nicole Watson was born and raised in Taft, California. After earning her degree in Biological Sciences from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, she attended the University of Southern California School of Dentistry, graduating at age 25 as one of the youngest in her class.
During her doctoral program, she received the Charles Pincus Memorial Award for Outstanding Achievement in Esthetic Dentistry, an honor given to only one student each year and voted upon by the restorative faculty.

Returning to Kern County, Dr. Watson established her private practice with a focus on esthetic and restorative dentistry—creating natural, harmonious results that preserve each tooth’s integrity. She later served as a clinical instructor at USC’s School of Dentistry, teaching restorative techniques to senior dental students.

Dr. Watson is a member of the American Dental Association and California Dental Association, and an Accredited Member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD)—a distinction held by fewer than 500 dentists worldwide. She continues advanced training with leading clinicians including Drs. Jason Smithson, Newton Fahl, Pascal Magne, Javier Tapia, Didier Dietschi, and John Kois of the renowned Kois Center.

Her commitment to growth extends beyond requirements—Dr. Watson completes over 300 hours of continuing education each renewal period, far exceeding the 50-hour minimum.

Outside the practice, Nicole enjoys spending time with her husband, Jared, and their two children. A devoted baker, she’s known for her chocolate chip miso cookies and summer peach pies. She is also a published journal author and a proud, self-proclaimed overachieving room parent.

MEET THE TEAM

Our team consists of dedicated individuals who are kind, friendly, and caring. Our staff is here to ensure a pleasant experience during your visit to our office. Our team includes experienced and energetic people whose goal is to communicate well with our patients and provide the best care possible.

Shelby Granite, Front Office

Laura Baker, RDA

Laura Baker is a registered dental assistant who has also been in the dental industry since graduating high school in Modesto. Laura moved to Bakersfield with her husband, Robert, to be near family. Laura and Dr. Watson met at a previous dental office and quickly became friends. Laura left the practice to move back to Modesto be closer to her niece. Once her niece graduated, Laura and Rob fulfilled a lifelong dream of living at the beach. Laura commutes from Huntington Beach a few times a month to work with us (which we find extremely flattering). Laura loves cats, scrapbooking, the beach, and whale watching.

Angela McLeod, RDA

Tina Brancato, RDH

Tina Brancato grew up in Bakersfield and attended Bakersfield College for 2 years before transferring to Fresno to attend school for Dental Hygiene. She graduated in 1987 and has over 33 years of dental hygiene experience. Dentistry is a passion of hers and she loves providing exceptional care to all of our patients. Tina and her husband, Frank, enjoy spending time with their two children and friends. She loves to hike and considers her “happy” place to be anywhere as long as it has a beach and she can feel the sand between her toes.

Gehna Hieronymus, RDH

Gehna Hieronymus was born and raised here in Bakersfield, CA. She graduated from Bakersfield Christian High School and went straight to Taft College to obtain a degree in Dental Hygiene, which had been a dream of hers since junior high. She was recently married to Gary Hieronymus in November of 2019 and they share four pets together. Two hairless cats (sphynx) and two chihuahuas who they just adore! In her free time, Gehna enjoys camping, relaxing with her pets and husband at home, and traveling when she can.

Dianna McSweeney, RDH

Connie Cooper, RDH

Michelle DelAlcazar, RDA

Michelle DelAlcazar was born and raised in Porterville, CA. She graduated from Monache High School before moving down to Bakersfield where she met her husband, Gus, to whom she has been married to for 25 years. She originally worked in the dental field before having three boys. Michelle left dentistry for a period of time to work at the private school her boys attended. Now that they are older she has returned to the dental field and we couldn’t be happier she chose to work with us. In her free time Michelle enjoys running with her girlfriends and spending time with her family.

Amber Lucas, RDH

Amber Lucas was born in Ohio but grew up in Fairfield County, Connecticut. She was an orthodontic assistant prior to attending the dental hygiene program. She attended the Fones School of Dental Hygiene at the University of Bridgeport, which was the first dental hygiene school established in the world. Amber moved to Bakersfield in 2004 with her husband Robert, who is a Bakersfield native. They have two teenage children that keep them busy with extracurricular school activities and ministry with their church. In her very limited free time, Amber likes to hike, cook new things and spend time with her family.

Angela Oberg, RDH

Angela Oberg was born and raised in Bakersfield, CA. She attended North High School where she graduated a “Star” in 1991. She immediately began pursuing a career in Dental Hygiene and attended the University of Southern California’s School of Dentistry. During her time at USC she was nominated to be part of the student ethics committee and studied under Anna Pattison, an internationally renowned speaker and authority on dental hygiene. She graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Dental Hygiene. Angela has been happily married since 2001 to her husband, Bret, and together they have three children. She is active locally in her children’s school and her book group of 18 years and enjoys scrapbooking and the outdoors.