LEARN MORE ABOUT LOTUS DENTAL - AMITE
MEET THE FOUNDER
DR. TROY MICHAEL VERGES, DDS
Dr. Troy Verges, native of New Orleans, graduated from LSU Baton Rouge in Microbiology. Then he attended Louisiana State University Dental School completing his DDS degree in 1997.
Read More About Dr. Verges
In his second year as a dentist, he owned his own practice in Kentwood, Louisiana, where he practiced for 20 years. Constantly growing and expanding Dr. Verges opened a new location in downtown Amite, Louisiana in 2017. The new dental office is a renovation of the town’s original pharmacy and post office building and is over 100 years old. He is proud to be part of the history of Amite.
Dr. Verges has 23 years of experience. His passion for the more challenging fields of dentistry include oral surgery, root canals and orthodontics. He takes great pride in the care that his entire team has for each other and their patients. Dr. Verges and his staff are highly trained and are always mindful of their patients’ needs and comfort. They pursue continuing education voraciously with monthly and quarterly office meetings and even traveling for specialized training. Dr. Verges is most proud of Lotus Dental google reviews because they are a reflection of how great his office and team are.
Dr. Verges lives in Covington, LA. He loves spending time with his 2 sons, Owen and Spencer. He runs in the mornings with his Goldendoodle, Shep. His hobbies include being outdoors, running, watersports, skiing, camping, and most recently learning the guitar. Among his many personal interests, health and wellness are a top priority, which overflow into his interactions with his staff and patients. He is always concerned with the health of the whole person.
MEET THE DENTISTS
DR. CELINE SNOW, DDS
Dr. Celine Snow was born and raised in New Orleans. She went to LSU for undergrad, where she received her bachelor’s of science in 2017. Dr. Snow is also a recent graduate from LSU school of dentistry. Her love for dentistry came from her own dental journey, her parents, and through community service. Growing up, she was constantly in the dental chair because of misaligned teeth. She says she basically had metal in her mouth for 11 years!
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Dr. Snow always enjoyed going to the dental office as a child and that’s where her initial spark for dentistry came from. She says her parents always taught her the importance of oral hygiene and it’s because of them that she has the teeth she has today. Dr. Snow did a lot of volunteer work at dental clinics in college, and her passion for dentistry continued to grow when she saw how much of a help she could be in the oral health care community. Some fun facts about Dr. Snow is that she is fluent in French, loves to roller skate, and has been doing pottery since 2020! She is so excited to join the Verges dental team.
MEET THE TEAM
CASSIE DIDDON – INSURANCE COORDINATOR
Cassie has been part of the Lotus Dental family since May 2022. Since joining the team, she has continued to grow her knowledge and experience within the dental field and now serves as the Insurance Claims Manager for both Lotus Dental locations! Cassie’s favorite thing about working at Lotus Dental is seeing how each department plays an important role in bringing the office together as one. She loves being part of a team where everyone contributes, supports one another, and works together toward the same goal. When she’s not working, you can probably find Cassie outdoors! She enjoys thrifting, gardening, hunting, spending time with her loved ones, and hanging out with her golden, Mable!
NIKKI THOMAS -HYGIENIST
Nikki Thomas is a Registered Dental Hygienist licensed for local anesthesia and nitrous oxide sedation administration. Before working at Lotus Dental, she attended Pearl River Community College and graduated in 2013. She has worked at Lotus Dental since 2016 and loves working in an office that makes patient care, comfort and personal preferences the highest priority. When not working, Nikki enjoys cooking for her family and music. Her favorite part of what she does is giving people confidence through their smiles and educating patients to improve their overall and oral health.
MANDY LEE – DENTAL ASSISTANT
Mandy has been with us since April of 2025, and she has been a dental assistant for a little over 11 years. Mandy has always had a passion for dentistry, and loves the fact that she can be a part of someone’s smile at the end of the day. Her work ethic reminds her of her maw maw who has always taught her to never give up on what you feel you are led to do. When not working, you can find her spending most of her time with her daughter Isabella. Isabella is her best friend, and support system.
ASHLEIGH TUMMINELLO – OFFICE MANAGER
Ashleigh has been a member of the Lotus Dental team since 2023 and currently serves as the Office Manager. She is both EDDA and Radiology Certified, bringing a combination of clinical and leadership experience to her role. Ashleigh enjoys creating a welcoming, positive experience for every patient while supporting her team behind the scenes. Her favorite part of working at Lotus Dental is the family-like atmosphere and the relationships she has built with both patients and her team. When not at the office, Ashleigh enjoys spending quality time with her family, tackling home improvement projects with her husband, and taking advantage of any opportunity to enjoy the outdoors!
KAILYNN GUIDRY – DENTAL ASSISTANT
Kailynn attended St. Joseph’s Academy and graduated in 2018. She then continued her education at LSU where she graduated in 2022. She has been working as a Dental Assistant at VDC since April 2023 and continues to further her education through classes and trainings. She enjoys interacting with patients and making sure they are comfortable and informed during their appointments. She loves that everyone on the VDC team is always working diligently together to ensure the best patient experience and help each patient achieve their best, and happiest smile. When she’s not working, Kailynn enjoys traveling and spending time with family, friends, her boyfriend Austin and her two dogs Diesel and Denali.
KATELYN RAMSEY – CYPRIAN – DENTAL ASSISTANT
Katelyn Ramsey-Cyprian is a 2023 graduate of Sumner High School. With 2.5 years of experience in customer service and as an assistant manager, she brings valuable skills to her role. Katelyn joined Lotus Dental in March 2025 and is eager to further her professional development while contributing to patient care. Outside of work, Katelyn enjoys spending time with her mother and younger sister, shopping, and giving back to her community.
SAMANTHA BUCKLEY – SCHEDULING COORDINATOR
Sam is the Front Desk & Scheduling Coordinator at Lotus Dental, where she plays an important role in creating a welcoming and organized experience for every patient. She assists with scheduling appointments, coordinating patient needs, answering questions, and helping ensure the front office runs efficiently. Samantha enjoys being part of a team that is dedicated to providing excellent patient care and takes pride in making each patient feel welcomed and valued from the moment they walk through the door. Outside of work, Samantha enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. Family is an important part of her life, and she enjoys making memories with the people she loves.
SAMANTHA CROUCH – HYGIENIST
Samantha Crouch is a Registered Dental Hygienist with more than 15 years of experience dedicated to helping patients achieve and maintain healthy, confident smiles. She currently resides in Montpelier and was raised in Watson, Louisiana. Samantha began her studies at Southeastern Louisiana University before transferring to Fayetteville Technical Community College. Following graduation, she began her dental career in North Carolina and returned home to Louisiana five years later.
Samantha holds certifications in nitrous oxide administration and local anesthesia through the University of Louisiana at Monroe. She values building strong relationships with her patients and takes pride in helping them feel comfortable and confident in their care. Outside the office, Samantha enjoys spending time with her husband, Jay, and their three children, Breeanna, Jaycee, and Kye. Together, they enjoy visiting the beach, supporting the LSU Tigers, and attending Shiloh Baptist Church.
TAYTEN ALLEN – DENTAL ASSISTANT
Tayten completed Dental Assistant school in 2021 and is passionate about helping patients feel comfortable, cared for, and confident in their smiles. Outside of the office, she loves spending time in the kitchen cooking and baking, tending to her garden, and making memories with her significant other and their dog. She enjoys the simple things in life and values time spent with the people she loves. Her passion for dentistry continues to grow each day, and she hopes to further her education to become a Dental Hygienist. She is committed to lifelong learning and is excited to continue making a positive impact on the lives of her patients.
KYRY AINSWORTH – DENTAL ASSISTANT
Kyry has been employed full-time with Lotus Dental since July of 2026. She entered the dental field early 2024 and found a career she loves. Some of Kyry’s most admirable qualities are her work ethic, dedication, and the exceptional care and compassion she demonstrates toward her patients. In only three months with our practice, she earned her state certification as an Expanded Duty Dental Assistant, reflecting her initiative, determination, and dedication to advancing her skills. She regularly works between our Metairie location as well as our Amite location. During her free time she enjoys traveling, spending time with her children, eating chips and queso, eating fajitas, and watching LSU in the Saturday night lights of Death Valley. Her favorite thing about Lotus Dental is the teamwork her co-workers demonstrate.