Meet The Team

About Dr. Rafael Torres

Dr. Rafael Torres obtained a bachelor’s degree in Biology in 1999. He then graduated with honors from the University of Puerto Rico Dental School in 2004. After graduating from dental school, Dr. Torres worked as a lieutenant and Chief Dental Officer for the U.S. Public Health Service in Three Rivers, Texas. During this time he also graduated from the Federal Law Enforcement training center in Georgia.

Later, he practiced in Washington, D.C. where he enjoyed treating personnel from foreign embassies, the Spanish Catholic Center and the Hispanic community in general.

After moving to North Carolina, he practiced for several years at the Bernstein Community Health Center and at a private practice in New Bern. Dr. Torres is also a member of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI). In 2014, he obtained his fellowship status with the ICOI.

Dr. Torres enjoys spending time with his wife and daughters, and participating in water sports and scuba diving.

About Dr. Rafael Mendez

Dr. Rafael Mendez graduated from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, in 1998 with a degree in Natural Sciences.
He then attended the University of Puerto Rico, School of Dental Medicine, where he graduated in 2002 and won the Raymond Baralt Award for his professionalism, leadership, civism, and love for the dental profession.

Dr. Mendez is a member of the International Association for Orthodontics. From 2008-2009, Dr. Mendez was the Vice President of the Lions Club in his hometown of Manati, Puerto Rico.

Before joining Friendly Dental in 2023, Dr. Mendez had a practice in Puerto Rico from 2002 to 2009, he practiced at the Kinston Community Health Center and The Bernstein Clinic in Greenville, NC. from 2010 to 2013. He practiced at The Dental Care Center, Greenville, NC from 2013 to 2014 and was Co-Owner of Earp Dentistry in Greenville, NC from 2014 to 2022.

In his spare time Dr. Mendez enjoys spending time with his wife, Wanda, his two children, Cesar and Gaby and his granddaughters Aileen and Mia. As a family they enjoy traveling and visiting the beach. Photography is one of Dr. Mendez’s passions, and he enjoys taking pictures of their travels to make the memories last a lifetime.

About Dr. Chun Peng

Dr. Chun Peng is well-equipped to meet all your general dentistry needs and then some. The Taiwan native honed his skills at Temple University’s Kornberg School of Dentistry, from which he graduated in 2009. He then went on to serve his country as a General Dentist in the U.S. Navy.
Dr. Peng continued building upon his expertise by training in dental implantation through Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland and the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. A dedicated foodie, he spends his free time sampling new dishes – when he’s not teaching his dog to do new tricks.
Thanks to a specialized skill set and years of experience, all patients – whether in need of routine dental care or a dental implant – can turn to Dr. Peng with confidence for a quality, successful result.

About Dr. Huan Yi Zhang

Dr. Huan Yi Zhang grew up in Brooklyn, New York. She attended college at Stony Brook University and graduated with a bachelor degree in Biology. She then completed her doctor’s degree and obtained her DDS at the university of Buffalo in 2016.
Following dental school, Dr. H Zhang continued additional training through a General Practice Residency at New York Presbyterian Queen Hospital and completed an externship program on implantology at California Implant institute where she further hone her skills in implant placement and restoration.
Dr. Zhang has practiced successfully in New York and California prior to settling down in Charlotte NC with her family. While the practice of dentistry is the same regardless of the location, the demands and needs of every individual patient is unique. By combining the skills that she has learned practicing on both coasts, Dr. Zhang is able to offer her patients the latest treatment options. She is a firm believer that every patient is unique and works to customize her care to ensure that every patient leaves with a great smile.
Outside of work, both Dr. Zhang and her husband stay busy raising their three children. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with family.

About Dr. Kenitra Richardson

Dr. Richardson graduated from East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine (ECU SoDM). Post graduation, she has followed through with ECU SoDM’s mission to serve the underserved. She is a NC native and grew up in Greensboro, NC. Dr. Richardson has a special interest in dietetics, having graduated with a BS degree in Nutrition from N.C. Agricultural and Technical State University. Before her undergraduate studies, she worked as an orthodontic assistant for 5 years.

Dr. Richardson is an active member of the American Dental Association, NC Dental Society and the Academy of General Dentistry. Her passion is to provide a wide-range of dental treatment aspiring to produce a lasting impact allowing her patients to leave in health, comfort and self-confidence. She brings that special blend of talent, experience, friendliness and compassion.

When not doing dentistry, Dr. Richardson likes to spend time with her family and friends. She enjoys going to the movies, watching NFL games, reading novels and trying new cuisines around Charlotte, NC.

About Dr. Jagdeep Trivedi

For more than a decade, Dr. Jagdeep Trivedi has demonstrated a strong commitment to excellence in general dentistry. In 2012, the Toronto native earned a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine. After completing a General Practice Residency program at Saint Francis Hospital & Medical Center in Hartford, Connecticut, she went on to practice in that area for eight years.

Now, she happily calls North Carolina “home,” having recently relocated to Charlotte with her husband, their daughter, and a fur baby. Outside of the clinic, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family and friends, and checking out the newest restaurants.

Dr. Trivedi is a member of the American Dental Association and North Carolina Dental Association. Her dedication to continuing education and providing personalized care is central to her goal of improving the quality of patients’ lives, one smile at a time.

About Dr. Ling L’Huillier

Dr. L’Huillier is an accomplished dentist and scientist.

She completed her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine and PhD from the Rutgers School of Biomedical Sciences.

Dr. L’Huillier has dedicated her career to finding the best way to solve patients’ oral health problems and optimizing their dental care. With her strong background, she brings both the latest knowledge and a gentle, holistic approach to her patients.

Before settling in Charlotte, Dr. L’Huillier practiced as a dentist in multiple states including Connecticut, Maryland, and South Carolina. She values innovation, health, and happiness above all, and always strives to treat every patient with personalized care and kindness.

Dr. L’Huillier is always here for you!

About Dr. Regina Kimberely Helton

Dr. Helton was raised in Greenville, South Carolina. She attended the University of South Carolina followed by the University of Kentucky where she pursued two separate B.S. degrees in Psychology and Biology. From there, she fulfilled her childhood goal of earning her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Kentucky College of Dentistry.

After completing her doctorate, Dr. Helton and her family moved back to the Carolinas. She is an active member of the SCDA, NCDA, and ADA. She understands that dentistry is an ever changing and growing field, and that continuing education is an essential part of being able to provide the highest quality of care to her patients. As such, she is dedicated to life-long learning to discover the most superior dental materials, technologies, and procedures to provide her patients with their very best dental outcomes.

Dr. Helton’s goal is to supply her patients with the information needed to make informed decisions about their dental care and equip them with the tools necessary to maintain great oral health while in a comfortable, non-judgmental, and relaxing atmosphere. Her desire is to help her patients feel confident and happy with their smile.

In her spare time, Dr. Helton loves spending time with her husband and children. She enjoys baking, reading, going to the theater, art, and traveling. She also enjoys all things Star Wars, including having epic lightsaber battles with her husband and kiddos.

About Dr. Duval

Dr. Duval received his Bachelor of Arts in Health Sciences from Furman University. After graduation, he continued his education at University of Texas at Arlington, concentrating in health and biomedical sciences. Dr. Duval then completed his Doctor of Dental Medicine at Medical University of South Carolina. He is a member of the Charlotte Dental Society as well as the American Dental Association. He enjoys working with patients to improve their oral health and give them beautiful smiles.

When not serving the needs of his patients, Dr. Duval enjoys traveling, attending sporting events and concerts, and spending time with family and friends.

About Dr. Dupim

A Brazilian native, Dr. Dupim received her dental degree at Unipar University and her master in Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology from Sao Paulo University in Brazil, one of the most prestigious universities in South America.

“My profession enriches my life. It is an amazing feeling to help my patients both look and feel better – it literally changes their life, and I am so honored to be a part of that. I am empathetic towards patients who have a lot of dental needs or fears of the dental office, but I believe that a non-judgmental environment and a passionate team can make a world a difference in making patients comfortable and healthy.” – Dr. Dupim

Dr. Dupim graduated from renowned Tufts School of Dental Medicine . As a member of North Carolina Dental Association and American Academy of Implant Dentistry; she understands that each individual is different and has unique concerns; with this in mind, she serves each patient with integrity, respect and kindness. Dr. Dupim strives to build health-enhancing relationships with everyone she meets.

When she is not practicing dentistry, Dr. Dupim enjoys traveling, cooking, reading and spending time with her family and friends.