Laughlin XLer: Melissa Sandoval, 47th MDOS

  • Published
  • 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs


Job title and unit:
47th Medical Operations Squadron dental assistant

Why she XLed: She managed the dental referral program; scheduling 51 patient treatments with four local clinics, achieving a dental readiness rating of 99.5 percent making Laughlin number one in the Air Force. She aided a fallen worker by calling 9-1-1 and initiating group emergency response systems; delivering a crash cart and more importantly saving a life. Managed records and reception, scheduled appointments, and answered phones earning a patient satisfaction rating of 100 percent. Stepped up during a renovation project and assisted with the relocation of reception and treatment rooms causing no impact to patient care. She assisted two dentists treating 193 patients with 349 procedures contributing to $23,000 in productivity.

Hometown: Del Rio, Texas

Family: Husband, Ricardo; two daughters, Jacqueline and Reyna; two sons, Ricardo Jr. and Jesus.

Time at Laughlin: Five and a half years

Time in military/civil service: Five and a half years

Greatest accomplishment: Earning my National Dental Assisting Certification

Favorite movie: Sex and the City

If you could spend one hour with any person, who would it be and why: My grandma Irene so she could meet the rest of my family.